Springfield, Essex
Encyclopedia
Springfield has been a civil parish
of the Borough of Chelmsford
, Essex
, England
since 1907. The parish takes in the portion of the town north of river Chelmer and west of the A12 bypass and originally comprised the manors of Springfield Hall, Springfield Barnes
, Cuton Hall, and in part New Hall
.
Until the 1950s the parish was a semi-rural village lying a mile north east of Chelmsford, on the old Roman Road, with little to attract the visitor outside of the annual Essex show, a half dozen pubs and the towns prison and Essex Police headquarters, both of which still lie to the east of the Roman road. The Essex show-ground was once located on fields north of The Green, and south of Pump lane. Since this time the former show site along with a thousand or so acres of surrounding arable land have been developed to create the most populous suburb of Chelmsford.
The historic heart of the parish is centred around the Anglican All Saints Church, Springfield Place and Green. This historic heart is one of the few areas not to have been visibly transformed in the last 50 years.
Influence on the City of Springfield, Massachusetts
A former resident of the village of Springfield, William Pynchon
, went on to become one of the leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony
- a group of New World
settlers whose capital city was Boston
. In 1636, Pynchon and a group of pioneers founded Springfield, Massachusetts
, beside New England's greatest river, the Connecticut River
, amidst New England's most fertile soil. Originally named Agawam
(which is now a nearby suburb of Springfield
, featuring the famous Six Flags New England
amusement park,) the settlement was re-named "Springfield" in Pynchon's honor, after Pynchon had suffered indignities from Connecticut's Captain John Mason
- the notorious "Indian Killer" of America's Pequot Wars - who expressed disdain at Pynchon's "delicate treatment" of the region's Native People. After this, Springfield
forever aligned with Boston
, although 89 miles separate the two, instead of aligning with Hartford, Connecticut
, now the state capital of Connecticut
- only 23 miles south of Springfield
.
Quickly, Springfield became important in the New World, later earning the nickname "The City of Firsts" for producing many innovations that are still used today, e.g. the first vulcanization
of rubber (Charles Goodyear
, 1844;) the first American, gasoline-powered car, (1892, Duryea brothers;) the first successful motorcycle
, (1901, Indian motorcycles;) the world's first modern fire engine and fire department; (1905, Knox Automobile
and the Springfield Fire Department;) America's first commercial radio station (1920, WBZ,) among numerous other "firsts," such as the first American-English dictionary (1806, Merriam Webster;) and the sport of basketball
, (1891, James Naismith
.)
The first Springfield outside of Essex, Springfield, Massachusetts, went on to become an important place in American history, housing, among other things, the United States' first National Armory at Springfield
, the site of which was selected by George Washington
. This inspired many other places across the English-speaking world to name their cities and towns Springfield, including important American cities like Springfield, Missouri
, and Springfield, Illinois
, the Capital of the State.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
of the Borough of Chelmsford
Chelmsford (borough)
Chelmsford is a local government district and borough in Essex, England. It is named after its main settlement, Chelmsford, which is also the county town of Essex.-History:...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
since 1907. The parish takes in the portion of the town north of river Chelmer and west of the A12 bypass and originally comprised the manors of Springfield Hall, Springfield Barnes
Chelmer village
Chelmer Village is a suburb in the east of Chelmsford, Essex. Chelmsford Borough Council names it "Chelmer Village & Beaulieu Park". Chelmer Village is a ward in Chelmsford....
, Cuton Hall, and in part New Hall
Palace of Beaulieu
right|350px|thumb|Beaulieu Palace circa 1580The Palace of Beaulieu also known as New Hall was located in Essex, England, north of Chelmsford....
.
Until the 1950s the parish was a semi-rural village lying a mile north east of Chelmsford, on the old Roman Road, with little to attract the visitor outside of the annual Essex show, a half dozen pubs and the towns prison and Essex Police headquarters, both of which still lie to the east of the Roman road. The Essex show-ground was once located on fields north of The Green, and south of Pump lane. Since this time the former show site along with a thousand or so acres of surrounding arable land have been developed to create the most populous suburb of Chelmsford.
The historic heart of the parish is centred around the Anglican All Saints Church, Springfield Place and Green. This historic heart is one of the few areas not to have been visibly transformed in the last 50 years.
Influence on the City of Springfield, MassachusettsSpringfield, MassachusettsSpringfield 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...
A former resident of the village of Springfield, William PynchonWilliam Pynchon
William Pynchon was an English colonist in North America best known as the founder of Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. He was also a colonial treasurer, original patentee of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the iconoclastic author of the New World's first banned book...
, went on to become one of the leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
- a group of New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
settlers whose capital city was Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. In 1636, Pynchon and a group of pioneers founded Springfield, Massachusetts
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...
, beside New England's greatest river, the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, amidst New England's most fertile soil. Originally named Agawam
Agawam, Massachusetts
The Town of Agawam is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 28,438 at the 2010 census. Agawam sits on the western side of the Connecticut River, directly across from the City of Springfield, Massachusetts...
(which is now a nearby suburb of Springfield
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...
, featuring the famous Six Flags New England
Six Flags New England
Six Flags New England , formerly Riverside Amusement Park, is a Six Flags theme park, named for the New England region, in which it is located. Located off of Massachusetts State Route 159, Six Flags New England is located less than from the major City of Springfield, Massachusetts, in the nearby...
amusement park,) the settlement was re-named "Springfield" in Pynchon's honor, after Pynchon had suffered indignities from Connecticut's Captain John Mason
John Mason
Captain John Mason was born at King's Lynn, Norfolk, England, and educated at Peterhouse College, Cambridge. He was a sailor and colonizer. Mason was appointed the second Proprietary Governor of Newfoundland's Cuper's Cove colony in 1615, succeeding John Guy. Mason arrived on the island in 1616...
- the notorious "Indian Killer" of America's Pequot Wars - who expressed disdain at Pynchon's "delicate treatment" of the region's Native People. After this, Springfield
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...
forever aligned with Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, although 89 miles separate the two, instead of aligning with Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, now the state capital of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
- only 23 miles south of Springfield
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...
.
Quickly, Springfield became important in the New World, later earning the nickname "The City of Firsts" for producing many innovations that are still used today, e.g. the first vulcanization
Vulcanization
Vulcanization or vulcanisation is a chemical process for converting rubber or related polymers into more durable materials via the addition of sulfur or other equivalent "curatives." These additives modify the polymer by forming crosslinks between individual polymer chains. Vulcanized material is...
of rubber (Charles Goodyear
Charles Goodyear
Charles Goodyear was an American inventor who developed a process to vulcanize rubber in 1839 -- a method that he perfected while living and working in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1844, and for which he received patent number 3633 from the United States Patent Office on June 15, 1844Although...
, 1844;) the first American, gasoline-powered car, (1892, Duryea brothers;) the first successful motorcycle
Indian (motorcycle)
Indian is an American brand of motorcycles. Indian motorcycles were manufactured from 1901 to 1953 by a company in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, initially known as the Hendee Manufacturing Company but which was renamed the Indian Manufacturing Company in 1928. The Indian factory team took the...
, (1901, Indian motorcycles;) the world's first modern fire engine and fire department; (1905, Knox Automobile
Knox Automobile
The Knox Automobile Company was a manufacturer of automobiles in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States between 1900 and 1914. Knox also built trucks and farm tractors until 1924.-History:...
and the Springfield Fire Department;) America's first commercial radio station (1920, WBZ,) among numerous other "firsts," such as the first American-English dictionary (1806, Merriam Webster;) and the sport of basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, (1891, James Naismith
James Naismith
The first game of "Basket Ball" was played in December 1891. In a handwritten report, Naismith described the circumstances of the inaugural match; in contrast to modern basketball, the players played nine versus nine, handled a soccer ball, not a basketball, and instead of shooting at two hoops,...
.)
The first Springfield outside of Essex, Springfield, Massachusetts, went on to become an important place in American history, housing, among other things, the United States' first National Armory at Springfield
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'...
, the site of which was selected by George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. This inspired many other places across the English-speaking world to name their cities and towns Springfield, including important American cities like Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, and Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
, the Capital of the State.
Education
The parish hosts a number of schools:- Secondary:
- New Hall SchoolNew Hall SchoolNew Hall is one of the oldest Catholic schools in England. It is located in the former Tudor Palace of Beaulieu in Essex.Today New Hall is a leading Catholic independent boarding & day school for boys and girls aged 3–18. Founded in 1642, New Hall School, Chelmsford, is the oldest Catholic school...
(RC) - The Boswells SchoolBoswells SchoolThe Boswells School is a large, age 11-18, neighbourhood comprehensive school which offers a seven year education for students. Situated in the town of Chelmsford, Essex, England, it offers secondary age education with qualifications up to GCSEs and A-Levels...
- New Hall School
- Primary:
- Barnes Farm School
- Bishops Primary School (CoE)
- Chancellor Park
- New Hall SchoolNew Hall SchoolNew Hall is one of the oldest Catholic schools in England. It is located in the former Tudor Palace of Beaulieu in Essex.Today New Hall is a leading Catholic independent boarding & day school for boys and girls aged 3–18. Founded in 1642, New Hall School, Chelmsford, is the oldest Catholic school...
(RC) - Perryfields School
- Springfield Primary School (Formerly: Nabbotts School)
- The Tyrrells School
- Trinity Road Community School