Constructed in 1929, the building at 95 State Street features a classical revival style of architecture. The eleven-story structure was built for the Springfield Republican as an annex to the adjacent State Building, which had been recently acquired . . . — — Map (db m136697) HM
James W. Ripley, who had such a lasting influence on the Armorys development, was also responsible for the east-iron fence which extends well over a mile around Armory Square. Partly decorative, the fence also had a security function, being . . . — — Map (db m65837) HM WM
Two outstanding commanding officers, Roswell Lee and James W. Ripley, set the tone for Springfield Armory's development in the first half of the 19th century. They envisioned a "Grand National Armory," with stately buildings arranged around a . . . — — Map (db m107107) HM
These three buildings were originally separate structures. The southern building was built in 1875 by John Olmsted, president of the Springfield Street Railway, for office and warehouse use. Its facade was remodeled in 1895, and the Springfield . . . — — Map (db m158398) HM
Now known as Crossett Lane, these three buildings were constructed as separate structures. The three-story Queen Anne style block was erected by Gerard Burbach, who ran the adjacent United States Hotel for many years. It may have served as an annex . . . — — Map (db m158497) HM
Four years after taking command at Springfield Armory in 1841, Maj. James W. Ripley began construction of this residence. When he demolished the existing CO's residence to make room for Main Arsenal, he antagonized the builder of that house, a man . . . — — Map (db m31772) HM
[left panel] Born on Essex Street in the north end of Springfield on October 1, 1911, the youngest of four sons of Irish immigrant parents Michael and Johanna Boland, Eddie Boland lived his early years in the Hungry Hill section of . . . — — Map (db m158400) HM
Originally the French Protestant Church, this edifice was erected with the support of Daniel Wesson, a local industrialist, to serve the small French-Canadian Protestant population in the City. In 1909, the building was given up by the French due to . . . — — Map (db m136698) HM
In 1795, Springfield Armory began manufacturing muskets for the United States Military, on a site where General George Washington authorized weapons to be stored during the Revolutionary War. Within decades, Springfield Armory became the nation's . . . — — Map (db m107114) HM
The French Congregational Church was built in 1887, the first place of worship in Springfield to accommodate the City's growing French Protestant population. The building's vernacular is a Victorian Gothic style of brick and Longmeadow brownstone, . . . — — Map (db m136694) HM
The massive building ahead served as Springfield Armory's Main Arsenal, a storage facility for the weapons manufactured here. Constructed between 1847 and 1850 during the term of Commanding Officer James W. Ripley, the building dominated the site . . . — — Map (db m107082) HM
This five-story block was built at a cost of $100,000 by Frank Fuller, a local industrialist. It was designed by architect Frederick Newman, who later lived in one of the residential suites on the top two floors. When completed, the building was the . . . — — Map (db m158397) HM
Through this Place Passed
General Henry Knox
In the Winter of
1775 - 1776
To Deliver To
General George Washington
At Cambridge
The Train of Artillery
From Fort Ticonderoga Used
To Force the British Army
To Evacuate . . . — — Map (db m23756) HM
Henry Hobson Richardson, the most famous American architect of the late nineteenth century, designed this courthouse. Although Richardson received commissions for seven buildings in Springfield, only the Courthouse and Grace Baptist Church still . . . — — Map (db m158496) HM
Now used for municipal offices, this limestone structure originally housed the District Court for Springfield and its surrounding towns. The first known district court was established in 1823. This location was selected for its proximity to the . . . — — Map (db m158396) HM
Notice how the land falls off very steeply here. Various commanders at Springfield Armory spent much of the 19th Century grappling with a serious erosion problem on this sandy bluff. Eventually, they resorted to a system of terraces, which . . . — — Map (db m65732) HM WM
The Duryea brothers, Charles and Frank, developed the first successful gasoline-powered car in 1894, right here in Springfield. The second Duryea prototype, the 1895 Duryea, was built on this site. This automobile became known simply as the "1895 . . . — — Map (db m136599) HM
Howard Street School The Howard Street School, designed by the local firm of Kirkham and Parlett, formerly stood on the MGM Springfield site. It was one of the first of many public buildings the firm, formed in 1904, was responsible for in . . . — — Map (db m158392) HM
The armory legacy of innovation lives on at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). Founded in 1967 just before the armory closed down, STCC is located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Now STCC is a major . . . — — Map (db m107111) HM
The massive Main Arsenal (199 by 69 feet) was constructed between 1847 and 1850, during Col. James W. Ripley's tenure as commanding officer of Springfield Armory. With its dominating location, the Main Arsenal became the symbol of the Armory and was . . . — — Map (db m31739) HM
The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company commissioned Springfield's first steel frame skyscraper, built in the Classical Revival style. It was completed in 1908 and caused a controversy over its "excessive height" of 125 feet. A law . . . — — Map (db m136696) HM
Organized in 1851, the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance company grew to become one of Springfield's largest businesses. It was begun by George Rice and Alfred Lambert to assure annual dividend life insurance. By the early twentieth century, . . . — — Map (db m137171) HM
Constructed in 1833, this building was located just north of the present Main Arsenal as shown in the picture. The nearby identical Paymasters House was located on the south side of the Main Arsenal. Around 1880, both of these residences were . . . — — Map (db m65730) HM WM
Constructed on a site formerly occupied by Scott's Laundry, this building was originally owned by the Morgan Realty Company, a development arm of the nearby Morgan Envelope Company, one of the City's largest industries. The two-story structure . . . — — Map (db m158579) HM
Old First Church has been located in Court Square since the 17th century. It was the twentieth parish formed in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and was gathered in 1637, the year after Springfield was founded. The first meetinghouse was erected just . . . — — Map (db m158499) HM
In the spring of 1636, a small band of early settlers from Roxbury, Massachusetts ventured up the Connecticut River to settle in Springfield, then known by its Indian name of Agawam. Together they executed an agreement which in part reads: "Wee . . . — — Map (db m158500) HM
Springfield Armory
Has been designated a
Registered National
Historic Landmark
Under the Provisions of the
Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1955
This Site Possesses Exceptional Value
In Commemorating and Illustrating
The History of . . . — — Map (db m110886) HM
The Springfield Armory (1794 1968) was the first National Armory in the United States.
It was an outstanding, innovative center for the design and production of military small arms.
Among its notable achievements are the Blanchard Lathe . . . — — Map (db m110888) HM
This limestone building is a rare example of Art Moderne architecture in Springfield. It was designed by the Boston architectural firm of Thomas M. James Company for the Springfield Safe Deposit and Trust Company. Established in 1886, the company . . . — — Map (db m158498) HM
[west plaque] Springfield furnished in the war of the rebellion two thousand four hundred and eighty five soldiers and sailors, the greater part of whom enlisted in the 10th, 27th, 37th, and 46th regiments. They served with credit and . . . — — Map (db m158600) HM WM
The Springfield Steam Power Company was formed in 1881 by the Wason Car Manufacturing Company to supply power to company-owned blocks in the vicinity of Taylor and Lyman Streets. Work was soon begun on this three-story building which was first . . . — — Map (db m158399) HM
Local architect F. R. Richmond designed this building for Edwin Stacy, a manufacturer of machinery and mill supplies. His son Frank took over the business in 1911 and served as Mayor from 1914 to 1918. The upper floors of the building were leased . . . — — Map (db m136598) HM
The Springfield Armory was built in 1895
for the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.
The building was designed by architects
Robert Wait and Amos Cutter from
Boston, who were responsible for many
county courthouses and state buildings in
Eastern . . . — — Map (db m127593) HM
This building was constructed to house stores and offices. It was designed by Samuel M. Green & Company, which eventually located its offices on the top floor. The company specialized in industrial architecture and engineering. It was involved in . . . — — Map (db m158495) HM
In 1839, Elam Stockbridge laid out this street and later constructed a series of brick buildings. This structure is the sole survivor of that row which housed both stores and residences. From 1913 to 1973, the Guenther and Handel Company, a . . . — — Map (db m158699) HM
Just East of Here Stood
The First Meeting House
Built in 1645
Past This Point Ran Meeting House Lane,
Which Led to the First Training Field
And Burying Ground on the Bank of
The Greate River
This Table Placed by
MERCY WARREN CHAPTER, . . . — — Map (db m108120) HM
As a "military factory," Springfield Armory was a hybrid installation, never a typical military post. During and after the Civil War, the military presence increased, with junior officers taking more of a hand in supervising production and . . . — — Map (db m107109) HM
To the Memory Of
George Washington
Commander-In-Chief Of
The American Army
1775 — 1785
First President of the United States
Who endorsed the location of a magazine and laboratory at Springfield in 1777, personally inspected the . . . — — Map (db m110887) HM
This building replaced the Trinity Methodist Church which stood on the site from 1869 to 1922, when the congregation relocated to a more suburban section of the City. Samuel M. Green & Company designed the block, whose facade is a colorful . . . — — Map (db m158601) HM
Union House / Chandler Hotel The Union House opened as a hotel in 1846. Two Presidents slept here, including James K. Polk, the 11th President, who stayed during a trip through the Northeastern part of the country. He was joined by his . . . — — Map (db m136695) HM
Now home to MultiBank National, this building was designed by the nationally recognized architectural firm of Peabody and Stearns. It is one of five of their known works in the Pioneer Valley. The Beaux Arts style building was erected for the Union . . . — — Map (db m158697) HM
United Electric Co. Building In 1912 the United Electric Company office building was completed by local builder Casper Ranger. The Beaux Arts brick and limestone building was designed by Boston architect Thomas M. James. The United Electric . . . — — Map (db m158394) HM
The first electric lights in Springfield were installed inside a downtown factory in 1881; the first local streetlights went up in 1889; and the trolley system was electrified in 1890. The United Electric Light Company was formed to meet the . . . — — Map (db m158395) HM
The Italianate style Wells Block was built on the site of a lumber yard. Its construction was part of continued growth of business away from Main Street. Stores occupied its ground floor, and tenements were on the upper floors. In 1891, the . . . — — Map (db m158479) HM
The YWCA building, previously located at 22-30 Howard Street, was built in 1909. It was designed by local architect Eugene C. Gardner in the Renaissance Revival style. The building consolidated the boarding and educational functions of the YWCA, . . . — — Map (db m128267) HM
Welcome
to all who visit this sacred space
to honor those remembered here
at the Van Horn - Hungry Hill Monument
☘️ An Irish Blessing ☘️
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your . . . — — Map (db m230752) HM
In 1845, commanding Officer James W. Ripley and his family moved into a new residence, the large brick home you see in front of you. In addition to serving as the Armory leaders' residence, the home included servants and housekeepers for much of . . . — — Map (db m230757) HM
In 1795, Springfield Armory began manufacturing muskets for the United States Military, on a site where General George Washington authorized weapons to be stored during the Revolutionary War. Within decades, Springfield Armory became the nation's . . . — — Map (db m230762) HM
For well over a century, large stacks of black walnut were stockpiled to air dry in the cavernous Long Storehouse. This wood was used as gunstocks throughout the Springfield Armory's history, from the earliest flintlocks in 1795 to the M14 rifle . . . — — Map (db m230760) HM
History and innovation coexist at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). The armory complex now houses both the historic site and the thriving campus as part of an unusual partnership. . . . — — Map (db m230761) HM
History and innovation coexist at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). The armory complex now houses both the historic site and the thriving campus as part of an unusual partnership. . . . — — Map (db m230763) HM
The armory legacy of innovation lives on at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). Founded in 1967 just before the armory closed down, STCC is located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Now STCC is a major . . . — — Map (db m230764) HM
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
The Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the living history of the sport and basketball and highlights its nearly 400 inductees. The sport was invented in 1891 on the campus of Springfield . . . — — Map (db m230754) HM
During the 19th century, the Master Armorer played one of the most important roles at the Springfield Armory. He oversaw quality control measures and implemented innovative manufacturing techniques needed for the mass production of standardized . . . — — Map (db m230758) HM
