Hampshire County, Massachusetts

Amherst Central Business District Amherst Central Business District (Boundary Increase) Amherst West Cemetery Baird House Belchertown Center Historic District Belchertown State School Bisbee Mill Bradstreet Historic District Bryant, William Cullen, Homestead Building at 8-22 Graves Avenue Center Cemetery Center Cemetery Chesterfield Center Historic District Church Street Historic District Conkey-Stevens House Coolidge, Calvin, House Cushman Village Historic District Dickinson Historic District Dickinson, Emily, House Dorsey-Jones House East Village Historic District Elm Street Historic District First Congregational Church Fort Hill Historic District Gate Cemetery Goodwin Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Goshen Town Hall Grove Hill Mansion Hadley Center Historic District Hadley Center Historic District (Boundary Increase) Hatfield Center Historic District Haydenville Historic District Hockanum Rural Historic District Huntington Village Historic District Ireland Street Cemetery Lincoln-Sunset Historic District Lockville Historic District Main Street Historic District Manse, The Middlefield Center Historic District Middlefield-Becket Stone Arch Railroad Bridge District Mill-Prospect Street Historic District Miss Florence Diner Monson Developmental Center Mountain Rest Nashawannuck Mills Historic District North Amherst Center Historic District North Cemetery North Chester Historic District North Hadley Historic District North Hatfield Historic District Northampton Downtown Historic District Northampton Downtown Historic District (Boundary Increase) Northampton State Hospital Northampton Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District Old Mill Site Historic District Otis Company Mill No. 1 Our Mother of Sorrows Monastery and Retreat Center Parsons, Shepherd and Damon, Houses Historic District Pelham Town Hall Historic District Pomeroy Terrace Historic District Porter-Phelps-Huntington House Prospect-Gaylord Historic District Ringville Cemetery Ross Farm Smith Alumnae Gymnasium South Amherst Common Historic District South Worthington Historic District Southampton Center Historic District Strong House Town Farm, The Upper Main Street Historic District US Post Office-Easthampton Main US Post Office-South Hadley Main Walker-Collis House Ware Center Historic District Ware Millyard Historic District Ware Town Hall Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge West Chesterfield Historic District West Hatfield Historic District Westside Historic District Williamsburg Center Historic District Woodbridge Street Historic District

Hampshire County, Massachusetts, has a rich history dating back to colonial times. It was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Pocumtuc and Nipmuc peoples. In 1659, the Massachusetts Bay Colony granted a charter to a group of settlers known as the Hampshire Proprietors, who established the area as a frontier settlement.

During the 18th century, Hampshire County became an important center for agriculture and industry. The fertile Connecticut River Valley allowed for the cultivation of crops such as wheat and tobacco, while mills and factories sprang up along the riverbanks to harness water power. The town of Northampton, in particular, became a hub of activity with its bustling marketplaces and thriving trade.

The 19th century brought significant social and cultural changes to Hampshire County. It became a center for abolitionist activity, with influential figures such as Sojourner Truth and David Ruggles advocating for the end of slavery. The area also gained prominence in the fields of education and the arts, with the establishment of prestigious institutions like Amherst College and Mount Holyoke College.

In the 20th century, Hampshire County continued to evolve as an intellectual and cultural hub. The town of Amherst became renowned for its connection to the literary giants of the time, including Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost. The county also played a key role in the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s, with Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst attracting students seeking alternative forms of education.

Today, Hampshire County maintains its reputation as a vibrant and progressive area, known for its beautiful landscapes, top-notch educational institutions, and rich cultural heritage.
Brief timeline of the history of Hampshire County, Massachusetts:

  • 1662: Hampshire County established as one of three original counties in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
  • 1665: Northampton becomes the county seat.
  • 1761: Amherst is incorporated as a separate town.
  • 1774: Mount Tom in Holyoke witnesses Shay's Rebellion, a major uprising against perceived economic and civil rights injustices.
  • 1821: The Hampshire and Hampden Canal is completed, connecting Northampton to the Connecticut River.
  • 1851: Hampshire County's first railroad, the Northampton and Springfield Railroad, commences operations.
  • 1861-1865: Hampshire County residents actively participate in the American Civil War.
  • 1879: Smith College is founded in Northampton as a private, liberal arts college exclusively for women.
  • 1938: The Great New England Hurricane, one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, causes significant damage in Hampshire County.
  • 1974: Hampshire County Courthouse in Northampton is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2004: Hampshire County experiences a devastating flood caused by heavy rain from a tropical storm.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Hampshire County, Massachusetts.