Northfield in Franklin County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
First Settlement
1630 - 1930
Photographed by Russell C. Bixby, May 20, 2011
1. First Settlement Marker
Here, enclosed by a stockade, the first settlement was made in 1673. Nine rods to the westward a fort was built in 1685 and eight rods southeast stood the Indians' Council Rock.
Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the King Philip's War 1675-1676, and the Massachusetts Bay Colony—Tercentenary Commission Markers series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1673.
Location. 42° 41.347′ N, 72° 27.525′ W. Marker is in Northfield, Massachusetts, in Franklin County. It is on Main Street (U.S. 10) south of Maple Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Northfield MA 01360, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Walk of Heroes (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fire Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); King Philip's Hill (approx. one mile away); Site of Squakheag's First Grist Mill (approx. one mile away); Northfield Main Street Historic District
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Nathanial Dickinson House (was approx. 1.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . Tercentenary Commission. Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Tercentenary Commission Markers, commemorating the three hundredth anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Submitted on May 21, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)
Photographed by Russell C. Bixby, May 20, 2011
2. First Settlement Marker
Photographed by Stephen St. Denis, May 31, 2020
3. First Settlement Marker
Marker recently restored. May 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,911 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on April 18, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. 3. submitted on June 11, 2020, by Stephen St. Denis of Worcester, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
