USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > King's handbook of Springfield, Massachusetts : a series of monographs, historical and descriptive > Part 32
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W. H. and J. D. McKnight, and their Improvements. - " Ingersoll's Grove " is receiving a vigorous overhauling and beautifying under its new
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
owners. Florida Street is being continued out to the Athol railroad-track ; and 100 men have been at work in different parts of the grove, grading building-lots at the west end, and trimming up the old avenues throughout. A road is to be cut from Florida Street into the grove, winding about to the head of the ravine, whence the two former roads through the ravine are to be restored to usefulness. One of these leads down the west bank, past the summer-house, and under the New-England railroad-track, to the min- eral-spring on the low land. The other road, along the east bank, will cross the railroad at grade, and a culvert will be built over the brook. The wild growth in the ravine is to be trimmed, and the beauty of the graded banks restored as Major Ingersoll left them many years ago. The summer- house has been rejuvenated, and is ready, in a bright new dress of paint, to receive visitors. The mineral-spring, famous of old for its cures, is to be surrounded by a stone curbing ; and its waters are to be made easily accessi- ble to those in search of health, or of something new to drink. Several culverts are being located in different parts of the grounds. Thus a pleas- ant strolling-place, long sought as a measure of public beneficence, is thrown open to our citizens by keen-sighted business men, who propose to illustrate anew the lesson shown in the " McKnight reservation," that whatever is worth doing in the real-estate trade is worth doing well. Dollars and beauty come together here.
A well-done work was that of Major Edward Ingersoll on this knoll. It was as for a place he loved, and expected to pass his days in, that he set out the shade-trees that will bear testimony of him for generations to come, and ran the plough over the slopes, smoothing, grading, and adorning this most steadfast of friends. The summer-house held many a gay party, the orchards responded bountifully for his care, the brook bubbled its thanks, and the spring had a "practice " that doctors might envy. The grove has had a history, and has been the subject of much speculation of various kinds in the last 40 years. As indicating the fluctuation in its supposed value, it is related that William Mattoon once put the price for three- quarters of an acre from it at $6,000. The grove was Solomon Hatch's property till 1845 or 1846, when it was bought by Major Ingersoll, who held it for 20 years, during which time he changed it from its unkempt state to the form which under the scars of time it bears to-day. But it proved as hard to keep as a white elephant ; and Mr. Ingersoll parted with it to Hins- dale Smith and one Billings of Philadelphia, in 1866 or 1868, for $25,000. It was sold in 1872 to Henry W. Phelps for $42,500, passing into the hands of Willis Phelps and William Mattoon. Great expectations were then entertained of its value; but the building of the Athol Railroad, which was the chief reason for its purchase, damaged its value for residence purposes not a little. Various projects for its use have been conceived. It was pro-
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
posed at one time to locate the insane-asylum there instead of at Northamp- ton. Major Ingersoll has desired to see it taken as a hospital-site, being convinced that its breezes should be availed of. The recent cemetery and public-park propositions are familiar.
The work that W. H. and J. D. McKnight, with occasional associates, have done in building up the new district of the Hill, is represented in rather impressive figures. Buying land in the rough, by the acre, they have paid about $175,000 for some 175 acres of land. Of this, 115 acres are partly built on, and divided by 19 streets, which have been mainly graded, hardened, bordered with sidewalks, and curbed at the McKnights' expense ; and 60 acres are still unimproved. They have laid two or three miles of curbing, set out 3,000 trees, and built several short sewers at their own expense. They have built and sold more than 100 houses; more than 200 houses stand on land sold by them; and they have now, complete or in the process of construction, six more. They have built, or will have fin- ished in a few weeks, five fountains at street-corners, each surrounded by a border of turf with a few trees and intersecting paths. These pretty spots add greatly beyond their cost to the attractiveness of the neighbor- hood, and are found to be a good financial investment. One of the newer streets, Dartmouth, running from Bay Street to St. James Avenue, is 100 feet wide, and has four rows of shade-trees, a wide strip of turf lying be- tween the sidewalk and carriage-way. Yale and Harvard Streets are 50 feet wide. The other streets which they have entirely laid out, or have had a large share in making, are: Westminster, Buckingham, Thompson, Sherman, McKnight, Catherine, Bowles, Clarendon, Buckingham Place, Oak-Grove Avenue, Edgewood, and one new street. East of State Street are also Beacon, Colton, Hawley, and Winchester. A tract fronting 900 feet on the west side of State Street has been built on by them. Their fountains and parks are : McKnight Park, Clarendon Fountain, Dartmouth Park, Buckingham Fountain, and the Thompson Triangle park yet un- named. And to the above-chronicled achievements is now doubtless to be added that of building, and presenting to the horse-railroad, a 5,000-foot branch, which will make the west part of Ward 5 easily accessible ; and it is likely to lead in time to a Worthington-street railroad from the depot to Oak-Grove Cemetery, for professed judges claim that this route will be more travelled than State Street in the near future, as some say it is so travelled at present.
The McKnight brothers have dealt in real estate in this section for 14 years, building their first house in 1870; but the "boom " has been in opera- tion only since 1879. One result of the covering of this formerly cheap territory with attractive houses set in neat yards, and on pleasant streets, is seen in the increase of 43 per cent from 1879 to 1883, inclusive, in the
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
assessors' valuation of all the real estate in Ward 5, an increase of $ 1,072,- 000, of which more than half is west of State Street. The increase for the. five years averages about $100,000 a year for the district in which the McKnight brothers have worked, or a total increase there of 75 per cent. The figures from the assessors' books for three of the city wards are as follows, showing the total valuation for each year : -
WARD ONE.
WARD Two.
WARD FIVE.
I879
$4,900,000
$6,061,000
$2,486,000
1880.
5,170,000
6,196,000
2,684,000
188I .
5,294,000
6,541,000
2,926,000
1882.
5,524,000
6,756,000
3,318,000
1883
5,634,000
6,890,000
3,553,oco
Gain
$734,000
$829,000
$1,072,000
A single tract of four acres, which the McKnights have transformed in this period, has been raised from $2,000 to $36,000 in the assessors' valuation.
A significant fact is, that more than three-quarters of the houses in McKnight-land have been taken by recent comers to the city, partly busi- ness men ; and in smaller part, people who live on their incomes, and have been attracted to this city and place by the pleasantness and comparative cheapness of the residences procurable. It is believed that from this latter class much of the future increase in population is to come. The country has a large floating class of these people; and it is to supply their require- ments, and draw them to the city, that the McKnights and their associates propose especially to labor. This opportunity is considered good reason for the neatness and taste they endeavor to use in their work. Their efforts in this line have had a contagious influence in some localities. Particularly do they claim credit for the improvement and contemplated improvement in the Eastern-avenue region since their invasion of it. One man, who has owned much real estate in that neighborhood for decades, is quoted as having looked at the method of prettiness as now being exemplified there, and declared that "he really believed it paid to fix up things." I
The Business Men's Association of Springfield. - This association owes its existence to leading men of influence centred in and about the
I The above notice of the McKnights is reprinted from The Springfield Republican, and conveys an idea of what permanent good these two workers have done for the city, although their work has been done as private enterprises. - EDITOR.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
Agawam National Bank, where the matter was discussed, and its formation shaped on March 18, 1879. The next meeting was holden at the rooms of the Common Council in the City Hall, on April 2 of the same year ; was called to order by the Hon. Lewis J. Powers, and the offices of president and secretary filled by the election of the late Charles O. Chapin and Henry M. Phillips respectively. Meetings were afterward held, vice-presidents, executive officers, and treasurer elected, and the good work of promoting the business interests of the city of Springfield commenced by this associ- ation. The rooms first engaged for its meetings were in the Massachusetts Mutual Life Company's building ; but they have since been twice changed, and now comprise a commodious and well-lighted and pleasantly situated store on Pynchon Street. It leads out of the grand rotunda of the lately remodelled Haynes House. Here can be found all the leading daily and weekly papers, daily stock reports, official stationery for the use of mem- bers, and generally in the evening a number of the business men, who gather together for the cultivation of a more cordial acquaintance among themselves, and to discuss topics of general business welfare. Since its organization, the association has materially aided in locating several new industries in our city, and 'a large number of skilled workmen; many of whom have found homes in that section of Springfield made beautiful by the McKnights. Our enterprising moneyed men, through the agency of the Business Men's Association, are ever ready to help locate, start, and continue business of every nature, having an apology for existence, when brought to their attention; and competent management of such business is insured. The present officers of the association are as follows : president, Hon. H. M. Phillips; vice-presidents, P. P. Kellogg and V. N. Taylor ; secretary, C. S. Parkhurst; treasurer, A. T. Folsom ; executive committee, James D. Gill, Noyes W. Fisk, L. S. Stowe, H. W. Southworth, Samuel Bigelow, E. D. Metcalf, and D. H. Brigham. It must be, and is by all competent to judge, conceded, that Springfield offers especial attractions to the business man and manufacturer, as a place to establish himself and live. With a population of over 36,000 people (than which no city of its size can claim a better class), its manufacturers and its merchants prosperous and contented, its taxes low, its condition cleanly, its streets good, its water-supply abundant, its excellent sewerage, its efficient schools, good churches, beautiful drives, its telephones and electric lights, its well- appointed street-railroad, express-companies, telegraph-service, sound banks, live newspapers, and places of amusement, together with its reasonable freight and passenger rates to and from the great markets of the world, Springfield commends itself as a place for residence or business second to no inland city in the world.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
The Bibliography of Springfield.
PRINTED MATTER RELATING TO SPRINGFIELD IN GENERAL, AND TO ITS INSTITUTIONS AND CITIZENS.
Short-hand reports of sermons preached by Rev. George Moxon, first minister of Springfield; taken by Major John Pynchon. 1637-39. MSS. in City Library.
Warning to the Unclean, in a Discourse from Rev. xxi. 8. Preacht at Springfield Lecture, Au- gust 25th, 1698, at the Execution of Sarah Smith. By Mr. John Williams, Pastor of the Church at Deerfield. Boston: Printed by B. Green and T. Allen for Michael Perry, at his Shop over against the Town House. 1699. 64 pp. 16mo.
God's Help to be Sought in Time of War with a Due Sense of the Vanity of what Help Man can afford: Shewed at Springfield, March 26, 1724. By Daniel Brewer, M.A., Pastor of a Church in said Town. Psal. 124, 8, Our help is in the Name of the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth. Bos- ton in New England: Printed by B. Green, 1724. 19 pp., 12mo.
A variety of manuscripts relating to the Breck controversy in the First Church in Springfield. 1735-36. MSS in City Library.
A Narrative of the Proceedings of those Min- isters of the County of Hampshire, &c., that have disapproved of the late Measures taken in order to the Settlement of Mr. Robert Breck, in the Pas- toral Office in the first Church in Springfield. With a Defence of their Conduct in that Affair. Written by Themselves. Boston: Printed in the year 1736. 93 pp., 12mo.
An Examination of and some answer to a Pam- phlet intitled, A Narrative and Defence of the Proceedings of the Ministers of Hampshire who disapproved of Mr. Breck's Settlement at Spring- field, with a vindication of those Ministers and Churches, that approv'd of, and acted in the Settle- ment of said Mr. Breck. Prov. xviii. 17: He that is first in his own Cause Seemeth just, but his Neighbour cometh and searcheth him. Boston: Printed by T. Draper, for H. Foster, at his Shop in Cornhil. 1736. 98 pp., 8vo.
The Work of Ministers represented under the Figure of Sowers, in a Sermon preach'd at Spring- field, January 26, 1736, at the Ordination of the Reverend Mr. Robert Breck to the Pastoral Office in the First Church there. By William Cooper, M.A. Published at the urgent and repeated Re- quest of the Ministers and People that heard it. Boston: Printed by T. Draper, in Newbury Street, 1736. 26 pp., 12mno.
A Letter to the Author of the Pamphlet called an answer to the Hampshire Narrative. Prov. xxx., xxxii .: If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Boston : Printed in the year 1737 84 pp., 12mo.
The Ungodly Condemned in Judgment. A Ser- mon Preached at Springfield, December 13th, 1770, on Occasion of the Execution of William Shaw, for Murder. By Moses Baldwin, A.M., Pastor of the Church in Palmer. New-London: Printed and sold by T. Green, 1771. 14 pp., 12mo.
The Departure of Elijah lamented. A Sermon, Preached at the Funeral of the Rev Stephen Wil- liams, D.D., Pastor of a Church in Springfield, who departed this Life, June 10th, 1782, in the Ninetieth year of his Age. By Robert Breck, A.M., Pastor of the First Church in Springfield. Help, Lord, for the Godly man ceaseth. Spring- field: Printed by Babcock & Haswell, 1782. 27 pp., 12mo.
Past Dispensations of Providence called to Mind in a Sermon Delivered in the first Parish in Spring- field, on the 16th of October, 1775. Just one hun- dred years from the burning of the Town by the Indians. By Robert Breck, A.M., Pastor of the Church there. Hartford : Printed by Barlow & Babcock. 1784. 28 pp., 12mo.
A Discourse Delivered at the Funeral of the Reverend Robert Breck, Pastor of the First Church in Springfield, who departed this Life April 23, 1784: in the Seventy-first year of his Age and in
I This list was compiled by William Clogston, a collector of historical works.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
the Forty-ninth year of his Ministry. By Joseph Lathrop, A.M .. Pastor of a Church in West Spring- field. Springfield: Printed by Brooks and Russell, 1784. 23 pp., 12mo.
A Sermon delivered April 27, 1785, at the Ordi- nation of the Rev. Mr. Bezaleel Howard to the Pastoral Care of the First Church of Christ in Springfield. By Timothy Hilliard, A.M., Pastor of the First Church of Christ in Cambridge. Springfield, Mass .: Printed by Stebbins & Russell, at their office near the Great Ferry. 18 pp., 8vo.
Catalogue of Books belonging to the Springfield Library Company, April, 1796. 8 pp., 8vo.
Discourse delivered at Springfield, Oct. 30, 1805, on Occasion of the Completion and Opening of the Great Bridge over Connecticut River, between the Towns of Springfield and West Springfield. By Joseph Lathrop, Springfield, 1806. 16 pp., 8vo.
Sermon preached at the Ordination of the Rev. Samuel Osgood as Pastor of the First Church and Society of Springfield, by Thaddeus M. Harris. Springfield, Mass., 1809.
First Sermon preached by Rev. Samuel Osgood as Pastor of the First Church in Springfield, Janu- ary 29, 1809 MSS. in City Library.
Last Sermon preached by the Rev. Samuel Os- good in the Old Church, April 25, 1819. MSS. in City Library.
Historical Discourse delivered at West Spring- field, Dec. 2, 1824, by W. B. Sprague. Hartford, 1825. 8vo.
An Address to the Members of the Bar of the Counties of Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden, at their Annual Meeting at Northampton, Septem- ber, 1826, by George Bliss. Springfield: Tannatt & Co., printers, 1827. 85 pp., 8vo, with appendix.
An Address delivered at the Opening of the Town Hall in Springfield, March 24, 1828, contain- ing Sketches of the Early History of that Town and those in its Vicinity. With an appendix. By George Bliss. Published at the request of the Town. Springfield: Tannatt & Co., 1828. 68 pp., 12mo.
Address delivered at the Consecration of the Springfield Cemetery, Sept. 5, 1841, by William B. O. Peabody. Springfield: printed by Wood & Rupp, 1841. 16 pp., 8vo.
Historical Collections of Massachusetts, by John Warner Barber. Worcester . published by Warren Lazell, 1844.
Defence of Major James W. Ripley, read before the Court of Inquiry at Springfield, March 16, 1846. Springfield, 1846. 20 pp., 8vo.
Reply to the Defence of Major James W. Ripley by the Memorialists. Springfield, 1846. 32 pp., 8vo. Statement of Facts in Connection with the Peti-
tion of Charles Stearns and Others for an Act of Incorporation as an Aqueduct Company. Spring- field, 1848. 36 pp., 8vo.
The Ministers of Christ: A Sermon delivered in Christ Church, Springfield, Mass., May 17, 1848, when the Bishop of Massachusetts admitted the Rev. Henry W. Adams, M.A., the Rector of the Church, to the Holy Order of Priests. By the Rev. Titus Strong, D.D., Rector of St. James's Church, Greenfield, Mass. Published by request. Spring- field: from the office of Horace S. Taylor, opposite Court Square, Main Street, 1848. 32 pp., 8vo.
A Sermon delivered in the First Church in Springfield, Mass., Sabbath Afternoon, Jan. 25, A.D. 1849, by Samuel Osgood, D.D., Pastor of the Church, on the Termination of the Fortieth Year of his Ministry. Springfield: George W. Wilson, printer, corner Main and State Streets, 1849. 33 pp., 8vo.
Sermons by the Late William B. O. Peabody, D.D., with a Memoir by his Brother. Boston: Benjamin H. Greene, 124 Washington Street, 1849. 393 pp., 12mo.
The Literary Remains of the Late William B. O. Peabody, D.D. Edited by Everett Peabody. Bos- ton: published by Benjamin H. Greene, 124 Wash- ington Street, 1850. 447 pp., 12mo, with portrait.
A Chart and Description of the Railroad from Boston to New York, via Worcester, Springfield, Hartford, and New Haven, in which are noted the Towns, Villages, Stations, Bridges, Viaducts, etc., with Numerous Illustrations, constituting a Novel and Complete Companion for the Railway Carriage. By the author of A Chart of the Western Railroad. Boston: published by Bradbury & Guild, 120 Washington Street, 1850. 84 pp., 12mo.
Report of the Case of Charles Stearns against J. W. Ripley, in the Circuit Court of the United States, at Boston, November Term, 1850, for Ma- licious Prosecution, his Honor Judge Sprague pre- siding. Springfield: G. W. Wilson, printer, corner of Main and State Streets, 1851. 76 pp., 8vo. Appendix, 14 pp. Map as frontispiece.
Public Spirit and Mobs. Two Sermons delivered at Springfield, Mass., Feb. 23, 1851, after the Thompson Riot. By George F. Simmons, Pastor of the Third Congregational Society. Springfield: Merriam, Chapin & Co. Boston: William Crosby and H. P. Nichols. 1851. 31 pp., 12mo.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-two. An Act to establish the City of Springfield. Spring- field: H. S. Taylor, power-presses. 1852. 21 pp., 8vo.
The National Armories: a Review of the System
373
KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
of Superintendency, Civil and Military, particularly with reference to Economy and General Manage- ment of the Springfield Armory. Springfield, Mass., November, 1852. Springfield: G. W. Wil- son's steam-power presses. 1852. 78 pp., 8vo.
Marco Paul at the Springfield Armory. By Jacob Abbott. Published by Harper & Brothers, New York, 1853. 192 pp , 24mo.
An Historical Sermon, preached by Samuel Os- good, D.D., on retiring from the Active Pastorate of the First Church in Springfield, May, 1854. MSS. in City Library.
Letter to Samuel Bowles. Second edition [from Charles Stearns]. Springfield, 1854. 8 pp., 8vo.
History of Western Massachusetts, the Counties of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire, embracing an Outline of General History of the Section, an Account of its Scientific Aspects and Leading Interests, and Separate Histories of its One Hundred Towns. By Josiah Gilbert Holland. In two volumes and three parts. Springfield: pub- lished by Samuel Bowles & Co., 1855. 520 and 619 pp., 12mo, with map.
Proceedings on Occasion of the Hundredth An- niversary of the Ordination of the Rev. Joseph Lathrop, at West Springfield, Mass. By W. B. Sprague. Springfield, 1856. 102 pp., 8vo.
Exercises at the Dedication of the New City Hall, Springfield, Mass., Jan. 1, 1856, including the Address by Dr. J. G. Holland, with a Full Description of the Building. Published by order of the City Council. Springfield: Samuel Bowles & Co., printers, 1856.
Historical Memoir of the Springfield Cemetery, read to the Proprietors at their Meeting, May 23, 1857; by George Bliss, their President, accompanied by an Address delivered at the Consecration of the Cemetery, Sept. 5, 1841, by Rev. W. B. O. Pea- body. Springfield, Mass. : Samuel Bowles & Co., printers. 1857. 23 pp., 8vo.
Address at the Dedication of a Monument to the Rev. W. B O. Peabody, by George Walker, with a hymn for the occasion by J. G. Holland. Spring- field, 1861. 23 pp .. 8vo.
The Chapin Gathering. Proceedings at the Meeting of the Chapin Family in Springfield, Mass., Sept. 17, 1862. Springfield: printed by Samuel Bowles & Co., 1862. 97 pp , 8vo.
A Discourse delivered on Friday, Dec. 12, 1862, at the Funeral of the Rev. Samuel Osgood, D.D., Late Senior Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Springfield, by William B. Sprague, DD, Minister of the Second Presbyterian Con- gregation in Albany. Albany: Charles Van Bent- huysen, printer, 1863. 42 pp , 8vo.
Directory of the Filing Department at the United- States Armory, Springfield, Mass. Joseph Miller, printer, January, 1863. 10 pp., 8vo.
A Discourse delivered at Funeral of Rev. Dr. Osgood, Dec. 12, 1862, by William B. Sprague, D.D. Albany, 1863. 42 pp., 8vo.
Historical Memoir of the Western Railroad. By George Bliss, Springfield, Mass. Samuel Bowles & Co., printers, 1863. 190 pp., 8vo.
Historical Sketch of Christ Church, Springfield, Mass., from 1817 to 1863. By Rev. George H. McKnight. Springfield, 1864. 24 pp., 8vo.
Anniversary Sermon delivered in Christ Church, Nov. 29, 1863, by Rev. George H. McKnight, Rector. Published by request. Springfield: Sam- uel Bowles & Co., printers, 1864. 24 pp., 8vo.
The Nation weeping for its Dead. Observances at Springfield, Mass., on President Lincoln's Fu- neral Day, Wednesday, April 19, 1865, including Dr. Holland's Eulogy. From the "Springfield Republican's" Report, Springfield, Mass. Samuel Bowles & Co .: L. J. Powers, 1865. 32 pp., 8vo.
The Springfield Horse Shows. Details and Pro- ceedings of the Exhibition of 1867, with a History of the Origin and Progress of the Celebrated Springfield Horse Shows, as shown by Former Exhibitions in 1853, 1857, 1858, and 1860. Spring- field, Mass .: Samuel Bowles & Co., publishers, 1867. 28 pp., 8vo.
A Sketch of the History of the First Half Cen- tury of the Third Congregational Society of Spring- field, Mass. Address at the Dedication of the Church of the Unity. Sermon upon the Character and Ministry of Rev. Willianı B. O. Peabody, D.D., with an Appendix. Springfield, Mass .: Samuel Bowles & Co., printers, 1869. 50 pp., 8vo.
Description and Rules for the Management of the Springfield Breech-Loading Rifle-Musket Model, 1868, National Armory. Springfield, Mass., 1869. x9 pp., 8vo, illustrated.
Address at the Funeral Services of Thomas W. Wason, in St. Paul's Church, Aug. 27, 1870, by Rev. H. R. Nye, Pastor of the Church. Printed by request of the family. Springfield, Mass .: Samuel Bowles & Co., printers, 1871. 15 pp., 8vo. with portrait.
The City Library Building: a Descriptive and Historical Sketch published in connection with the Annual Report of the City-Library Association, May 6, 1872. Springfield, Mass .: Samuel Bowles & Co., 1872.
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