Monson, MA
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Monson
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Description of Monson, Massachusetts
Monson center is nestled in the Chicopee River valley between east and west steep and rocky hills. The difficulty of traveling over the hills to the center of Brimfield prompted those settlers in the western part of that territory to petition the court for permission to form a new town. Permission was granted and Monson was officially incorporated in 1760. Waterpower was abundant and small mills were scattered over the 48 square miles. A hat factory, several woolen and cotton mills and the Flynt Granite Company all thrived for more than 100 years. A.D. Ellis Mills, Inc., known world-wide for its fine woolen cloth was the last to leave, closing about thirty years ago.
These industries have been replaced in part by the plastics industry and by Zero Manufacturing Company. Monson Developmental Center is and has been for many years the largest employer in town. This facility, housing severely handicapped residents, has a pleasant campus setting on 700 acres of land. The service industry and recreational facilities are the strongest growing segments.
Memorial Hall, built in 1884 of Monson granite, anchors the southern end of a National Register Historic Commercial District. This building contains a fine Civil War Museum and auditorium. Other museums include an 1811 restored home of attorney Jacob Thompson and a 58 acre farm with a farmhouse housing the only known Button museum. This property adjoins the 128 acre Flynt Park which offers opportunities for bird and foliage tours, picnics and passive recreation. An active tourism program is being developed for the summer of 1994 to promote these and other recreational, historic and cultural features of Monson.
It is located in southern Massachusetts, bordered by Palmer on the north; Brimfield and Wales on the east; Wilbraham and Hampden on the west; and Stafford, Connecticut, on the south. Monson is 17 miles east of Springfield, 77 miles southwest of Boston, and about 157 miles from New York City.
Narrative compiled by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (
DHCD
).
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