AGAWAM THROUGH THE YEARS

1635
The first house in western Massachusetts constructed by European settlers is built in the Agawam Meadows by John Cable and John Woodcock.

1636
A large tract of land is purchased by William Pynchon from the Agawam tribe of Indians for 18 fathom of wampum, 18 coats, 18 hatchets, 18 hoes and 18 knives in first deed executed in Western Massachusetts; signed by 13 Indians (with) their mark(s).

1640
The name of the plantation is changed to Springfield as a compliment to William Pynchon who came from Springfield, England.

1660
Thomas Cooper, Abel Leonard and Thomas Merrick settled on the south-west side of the Agawam River and within a few years grants of home lots were made.

1666
The first sawmill is built in Feeding Hills.

1673
Inhabitants petition the town for a boat in which to cross the river to attend public worship. Later, three members of the Bodurtha family are "drownded dead" by the upsetting of the boat during this passage.

1674
Anthony Dorchester is authorized to keep a ferry just south of the present site of the South End Bridge.

1695
A petition was sent to the General Court by the 32 families for permission to settle a minister on the west side of the Connecticut River.

1696
Agawam becomes the second parish of Springfield and the first of West Springfield.

1698
A church is formed with Rev. John Woodbridge as pastor.

1707
Land on the west side of the river is divided into plots of 10 acres each and assigned by lot to all males of 21 years.

1708
The selectmen are empowered to get a teacher for the west side inhabitants to teach "ye children to read and write" and Rev. Benjamin Colton of Longmeadow is hired as schoolmaster to be paid 20 lb. for half a year.

1740
The first meeting house in Agawam is built on land of Reuben Leonard, one mile west of sawmill near parish line of Feeding Hills, on Mill Street near present day Line Street.

Schools established in Agawam and Feeding Hills.

1750
A tavern is erected in Feeding Hills, kept by Col Mosely. Morley's and Flowers taverns follow, also three on Agawam Street: White's at the State Line, Worthington's or Clark's at the corner of South Street and Leonard's at the Center in the Fowler House. The Brouse House was also a tavern.

There were two principal turnpikes running north and south. One through Agawam from Hartford to Holyoke, the other through Feeding Hills from Hartford to Northampton, over which stage coaches made regular trips stopping at various taverns.

1757
Agawam set off as the sixth parish of Springfield, containing about 75 families.

1759
Voted: to build a meeting house in the center of the present inhabitants or as near as may be.

1760
Voted: to appoint a committee to find the center of the present inhabitants by measuring.

Voted: that rum and cider shall be provided for the raising of the meeting house at the cost and charge of the Parish.

1761
Permission was given some young people to build seats in the gallery.

1762
Rev. Sylvanus Griswold was installed as pastor of the sixth parish of Springfield with a salary of about two hundred and twenty-five dollars a year and the use of 40 acres of land. His pastorate extended over 57 years.

1774
West Springfield incorporated as an independent town, with Agawam as its second parish.

1775
General George Washington passed through the town in a "coach and four" under escort.

Two companies of Minute Men were sent to Lexington.

1777
A detachment of Burgoyne's Army on the way from Saratoga to Boston passed down the old road near Federal Hill.

1780
Peppermint distillery established. Later, potato whiskey was manufactured, followed by cider brandy and rye gin.

1782
A Lottery was granted for supporting and repairing a bridge across the Agawam River.

1783
Stockbridge Indians still live in Agawam, making and selling baskets.

1789
Now-president George Washington again passes through Agawam. His diary mentions crossing the Agawam River on a bridge and that at Springfield "the river is crossed by scows sent over with poles and is about 80 rods wide”.

1790
The Baptist Society was formed with eleven members and the Rev. Jesse Wightman ordained as preacher. Services were held for a time in the home of Jonathan Ferre in stormy weather and under the apple trees in the orchard in pleasant weather.

1796
Voted: to sell the Parish meeting house at "Public Out-cry".

1799
The meeting-house was bought and moved to Feeding Hills.

1800
Agawam and Feeding Hills divided into two distinct parishes in the town of West Springfield.

The frame of a church was moved from Suffield, Connecticut and placed on the common. It was used alternately by Baptists and Congregationalists. The bell was a gift of Capt. John Porter. The church was painted largely by subscriptions of rye and flax seed. A chimney was not built until 21 years later.

1803
Calvin Bedortha was making Windsor chairs about a mile west of Agawam Centre.

1805
Voted: to have an "every nine o'clock" bell rung.

The Captain Charles Leonard House is constructed as stage tavern.

1808
The Feeding Hills Post Office is established.

1810
One of the first cotton mills in Western Massachusetts is built on land later owned by Riverside Park at mouth of Three Mile Brook. A settlement of tenements for the mill help was known as the "Factory Ground".

1812
A small fulling mill in operation on Elm Street. Looms were later installed, marking the beginning of Agawam’s woolen industry. The Agawam Company was incorporated in 1857.

1819
The first Sunday School was organized.

1821
Rev. Reuben Hazen was called to preach both in Agawam and Feeding Hills at $250 per year from Agawam and $190 from Feeding Hills.

1826
Agawam population: 3,246

1830
The Baptists sold their share of the church on the common for $600 and built the present Baptist Church at the corner of Main and Elm Streets

1834
The Feeding Hills Congregational Church was built.

1840
Methodist Church built in south part of Agawam, near intersection of Main and South Streets.

1845
Congregational Church moved to its present location. Voted: "to appoint four additional tything men to keep the children and young people quiet and older people awake during the sermon.

1855
Agawam – including Feeding Hills and Mittineague (North Agawam) – is separated from West Springfield and incorporated as an independent town, with a population of about 1,500. The first town meeting was held in the Methodist Church.

1859
Bodurtha's store built with hall above. Later the location of the Agawam Public Market, and currently site of bankESB, whose branch building design was inspired by the original store.

1860
Agawam population: 1,698

1861
172 men went from the town to the Civil War, of whom 22 died either in battle or from disease. The women formed a Soldier's Relief Society working for the soldiers and contributing $1000 in money.

1866
Anne Sullivan born on South Westfield Street. She later became the teacher of Helen Keller and was known as “The Miracle Worker” who changed education for blind and deaf students.

1870
Agawam population: 2,001

1873
Agawam’s first Catholic Church – St. William’s – built on the corner of Bridge and Church Streets in Mittineague (North Agawam). The church burned down in 1923; its basement was roofed and used as a church hall and later the Elks Club.

1874
Town Hall and primary school buildings built in both Feeding Hills and Agawam Centers.

1879
South End Bridge opens, replacing ferry service across the Connecticut River.

1880
Agawam population: 2,216

1882
The Worthy Paper Co. organized in Mittineague (North Agawam).

1890
Agawam population: 2,352

Free Public Library organized. The Agawam Center Library was given to the town by Minerva Davis in 1924. The library building in Feeding Hills was a gift to the town from Fred Halladay in 1905.

1895
Telephone service installed.

1900
Agawam population: 2,536

Trolley service begun from the Agawam/West Springfield Bridge south to the Connecticut line.

Trolley service from the Agawam/West Springfield Bridge to Feeding Hills Center begun.

Rural Free Delivery postal service inaugurated.

1903
Central New England Railway inaugurates service from Tariffville, Connecticut through Feeding Hills Center to Agawam Junction in West Springfield.

1905
The Town of Agawam celebrates the 50th anniversary of its incorporation.

1909
The Springfield Water Department constructs a covered reservoir atop Provin Mountain.

1910
Agawam population: 3,501

1912
Riverside Grove purchased by Springfield businessman Henry J. Perkins and opened as “Riverside Park” – a “first class recreation resort” with a dance hall, rollercoaster, and merry-go-round.

Balboni Bakery is established on King Street, Mittineague (North Agawam) by Celeste Balboni. The bakery is still operated by the Balboni family.

1914
Columbus Club established in Mittineague (North Agawam) “by the Italian people in the town for the purpose of helping Italians in obtaining their naturalization papers.”

1917
The Hampden County Training School opens on South Westfield Street.

1918
Agawam’s first permanent fire department began serving the three town precincts from Station No. 1 (Mittineague), Station No. 2 (Feeding Hills), and Station No. 2 (Agawam Center).

1919
Wilson-Thompson American Legion Post 185 established.

1920
Agawam population: 5,023

By vote at town meeting, the Agawam side of Mittineague to be henceforth known as “North Agawam.”

1921
Saint Anthony’s Church organized in Mittineague (North Agawam).

1922
Agawam’s first high school dedicated on Main Street. Later serves as a junior high and middle school; currently known as the Roberta G. Doering School in honor of the longtime school committee member.

1925
Feeding Hills Community Grange No. 382 organized.

Saint David’s Episcopal Church organized.

1926
The Agawam Women’s Club established.

1929
Sarat Ford founded at O’Brien’s Corner.

1930
Agawam population: 7,095

Bowles Airport opened with four 1,000 foot runways, a fireproof hanger, and administration building on Silver Street. Among dedication ceremony attendees are Amelia Earhart and former president Calvin Coolidge. The airport ceases operation by 1935.

The Town of Agawam celebrates the 75th anniversary of its incorporation with a parade from Feeding Hills Center to Riverside Park, where the historical pageant “The Pageant of Agawam” is presented.

1931
An undefeated, untied, and unscored upon Agawam High School football team is captained by future World War II tank commander and United States Army Chief of Staff Creighton Abrams.

1934
The Italian Sporting Club organized.

Another Agawam High School football team celebrates an undefeated, untied, and unscored upon season, earning western Massachusetts champion honors.

1935
Agawam Park opens on Bowles Airport site, offering thoroughbred horse racing unti 1938.

1936
Trolley service to Agawam & Feeding Hills ends; replaced by bus service.

1937
Riverside Park-In Outdoor Theater opens as first drive-in theater in western Massachusetts.

1938
The Agawam Center School is built on the corner of Main and School Streets, replacing the 1874 Agawam Town Hall building. The school is later renamed the Benjamin J. Phelps Elementary School in memory of Agawam’s beloved and long-serving school superintendent.

Railroad service through Feeding Hills Center ends.

1939
The Captain Charles Leonard House opens to the public after renovation and restoration by Minerva Davis. The historic stage tavern operates to this day as Agawam’s Community House, overseen by a board of trustees established by Mrs. Davis.

Edward J. Carroll Sr. purchases the shuttered Riverside Park.

1940
Agawam population: 7,842

Riverside Park reopened by Ed Carroll.

1941
Cyclone roller coaster constructed at Riverside Park; renamed Thunderbolt the following year.

1943
The Mawaga Sporting Club is organized.

1944
the Agawam Lions Club is chartered.

1946
Sacred Heart Parish established in Feeding Hills; the present church building was built in 1959.

The first mass is celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church in Agawam.

1948
Riverside Speedway replaces dance hall at Riverside Park. Home of NASCAR racing for decades.

1950
Agawam population: 10,166

1953
Agawam Shopping Center opens on the former Worden farm on Springfield Street; Food Mart is among its first tenants.

1955
The Town of Agawam celebrates the 100th anniversary of its incorporation with a four-day celebration in which more than 100,000 people took part.

A new high school is built on Cooper Street.

Longtime band director Darcy Davis begins his tenure at Agawam High School.

1956
Agawam High School football field dedicated in honor of longtime AHS coach and athletic director Harmon A. Smith.

1956
Wallet manufacturer Buxton Company moves to Main Street, Agawam from Springfield.

1960
Agawam population: 15,718

H.P. Hood opens milk processing plant on Main Street, Agawam.

1962
The Agawam Historical Association established.

1964
Richard and Marilyn Curry move to Feeding Hills. In the ensuing decades, Dick would serve as president of the Agawam Historical Association and trustee of the Captain Charles Leonard House. Marilyn would serve twenty terms as president of the Agawam Historical Association, a dozen years as chair of the Agawam Historical Commission and more than three decades as a trustee of the Captain Charles Leonard House.

1970
Agawam population: 21,717

1973
Town meeting form of government ends; replaced by town manager/town council.

1975
Worthy Paper Mill in North Agawam is destroyed by fire.

1980
Agawam population: 26,271

The Agawam Historical Commission is established.

Agawam, Massachusetts - A Town History by Edith LaFrancis is published.

Agawam Police Department K-9 “Rags” survives shooting by assailant; later becomes first recipient of the department’s Medal of Honor.

1987
The Agawam Police Department relocates to the former Faolin Peirce School on Springfield Street.

Riverside Park administration building destroyed by fire.

1988
Agawam voters approve the change to a mayoral form of government.

1989
Christopher C. Johnson is elected Agawam’s first mayor and serves five terms. Johnson later served on the Agawam Town Council from 2012-2022 and was elected mayor again in 2023.

1990
Agawam population: 27,323

1994
Proposed riverboat casino at Riverside Park rejected by Agawam voters by 70% margin.

1996
Carroll family sells Riverside Park to Premier Parks.

1997
Riverside Park reopens as Riverside The Great Escape.

2000
Agawam population: 28,144

Riverside Park is rebranded as Six Flags New England.

The Riverside Speedway is replaced with the Superman - Ride of Steel roller coaster, the tallest and longest roller coaster in the east.

Agawam and Feeding Hills by David Cecchi is published; all royalties benefit the Agawam Historical Association.

2001
The Agawam Center Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

2002
The Agawam Historical Association opens the Agawam Historical & Fire House Museum on Elm Street and purchases the historic Thomas Smith House on North West Street.

The Russell “Rusty” Jenks Apparatus Room is dedicated in honor of former Agawam Fire Chief and Agawam Historical Association board member Rusty Jenks, who was instrumental in locating the museum in the former Elm Street fire station.

2005
The Town of Agawam celebrates the 150th anniversary of its incorporation with sesquicentennial festivities including the “Songs of Agawam” musical extravaganza; a Sesquicentennial Ball; home & garden tour; historical exhibits; quilt show; picnic; and parade.

The Thomas Smith House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Agawam and Feeding Hills Revisited by David Cecchi is published; all royalties benefit the Agawam Historical Association.

2008
Thunderbolt rollercoaster at Riverside Park is designated a “Coaster Landmark - a designation reserved for rides of historical significance”  by American Coaster Enthusiasts.

2010
Agawam population: 28,438

The Agawam Historical Association opens the Thomas Smith House to the public after eight years of preservation work.

2013
Agawam High School boys volleyball team beats Milford High School to become Massachusetts State Champions.

2020
Agawam population: 28,692

2024
Agawam voters approve construction of a new high school to replace the outdated 1955 facility on Cooper Street.

2025
Agawam Historical & Fire House Museum reopens to the public.

Around Agawam and Feeding Hills by David Cecchi is published; all royalties benefit the Agawam Historical Association.