McKnight, Springfield, Massachusetts (and Mason Square)
Encyclopedia
The McKnight National Historic District in Springfield, Massachusetts
is known worldwide to urban-planners as the first planned residential neighborhood in the United States of America. McKnight is located one mile from the urban Metro Center
and is one of the smallest of the city's seventeen neighborhoods. It contains 306 acres of land, plus streets and railroads. Its boundaries are Armory and Federal Streets to the west; the Boston & Albany Railroad to the north; the Highland Division Railroad and St. James Avenue to the east; and State Street to the south.
Several small decorative open spaces grace the neighborhood. To its west are the Springfield Armory
and the Springfield Technical Community College
and Downtown. I-291 skirts its northern edge, providing easy access to McKnight.
Mason Square is the commercial heart of the McKnight District. It features a brand new (as of 2011) branch library, the Indian Motorcycle Company building, American International College
, and a monument to the first game of basketball placed on the site of the first-ever game.
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
is known worldwide to urban-planners as the first planned residential neighborhood in the United States of America. McKnight is located one mile from the urban Metro Center
Metro Center, Springfield, Massachusetts
Metro Center is the original colonial settlement of Springfield, Massachusetts, located beside a bend in the Connecticut River. As of 2011, Metro Center features a majority of Western Massachusetts' most important cultural, business, and civic venues...
and is one of the smallest of the city's seventeen neighborhoods. It contains 306 acres of land, plus streets and railroads. Its boundaries are Armory and Federal Streets to the west; the Boston & Albany Railroad to the north; the Highland Division Railroad and St. James Avenue to the east; and State Street to the south.
History
In 1881, brothers William and John McKnight planned the McKnight district; most of it was constructed between 1881 and 1900. http://springfield375.org/?p=126 McKnight contains Massachusetts' largest array of Victorian Houses outside of Greater Boston. The neighborhood's 900 ornate homes are part of a district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Much of its western half is also a local historic district with homes lovingly restored and preserved by residents.Several small decorative open spaces grace the neighborhood. To its west are the Springfield Armory
Springfield Armory
The Springfield Armory, located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts - from 1777 until its closing in 1968 - was the primary center for the manufacture of U.S. military firearms. After its controversial closing during the Vietnam War, the Springfield Armory was declared Western Massachusetts'...
and the Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield Technical Community College was built on the site of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. The armory, established by George Washington was an important supplier of US armaments for over a century and a half before closing in 1968...
and Downtown. I-291 skirts its northern edge, providing easy access to McKnight.
Mason Square is the commercial heart of the McKnight District. It features a brand new (as of 2011) branch library, the Indian Motorcycle Company building, American International College
American International College
American International College is a private, co-educational liberal-arts college located in the Mason Square neighborhood of Springfield, Massachusetts.-History:...
, and a monument to the first game of basketball placed on the site of the first-ever game.