Chester, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chester, Massachusetts
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Town Hall
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Location in Hampden County in Massachusetts
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Hampden | |
| Settled | 1760 | |
| Incorporated | 1783 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 37.2 sq mi (96.3 km2) | |
| • Land | 36.6 sq mi (94.8 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km2) | |
| Elevation | 601 ft (183 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,228 | |
| • Density | 33.027/sq mi (12.752/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP code |
01011
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| Area code(s) | 413 | |
| FIPS code | 25-13485 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0619385 | |
Chester is a small town located in Hampden County, Massachusetts. It's part of the wider Springfield area. In 2020, about 1,228 people lived here. Chester is known for its historic areas, like the Chester Factory Village Historic District.
Contents
History of Chester
Chester was first settled in 1760. It was officially recognized as a town in 1765 and was called Murrayfield. People often confused its name with another nearby town. So, in 1783, the town asked to change its name to Fairfield. However, the government decided on "Chester" instead.
The Western Railroad, which later became the Boston & Albany Railroad, reached Chester in 1841. This was an important event for the town. Sadly, in 1893, a railroad bridge in Chester collapsed. This accident caused the deaths of 14 people.
- Historical images of Chester, Massachusetts
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A Lithograph of Chester from 1885 by L.R. Burleigh
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An aerial view of the town in 1905
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Main Street in 1910
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Geography and Location
Chester is found on the eastern edge of the Berkshires mountains. It's in the northwest corner of Hampden County. Nearby towns include Huntington to the east and Becket to the west.
The town covers about 37.2 square miles (96.3 km2) of land and water. Most of this area, about 36.6 square miles (94.8 km2), is land. The remaining 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2) is water, mostly from rivers and brooks.
Many small streams flow into the Westfield River in Chester. The West Branch of the Westfield River flows through the western and southern parts of town. It passes right through the main village of Chester. The Middle Branch flows through the northern and eastern areas. It goes through the villages of North Chester and Dayville. A small village called Chester Center is located on higher ground between these two river branches. U.S. Route 20 also follows the West Branch of the river.
Extreme Temperatures in Chester
Chester holds a unique record for Massachusetts weather. On August 2, 1975, the temperature in Chester reached 107 °F (42 °C). This is the hottest temperature ever recorded in the state. Another town, New Bedford, also recorded this temperature on the same day.
On the other hand, Chester also holds the record for the coldest temperature. On January 12, 1981, the temperature dropped to −35 °F (−37 °C). This is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Massachusetts. This makes Chester one of only three places in the United States that has recorded both its state's hottest and coldest temperatures!
Population and People
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 1,521 | — |
| 1860 | 1,314 | −13.6% |
| 1870 | 1,253 | −4.6% |
| 1880 | 1,473 | +17.6% |
| 1890 | 1,295 | −12.1% |
| 1900 | 1,450 | +12.0% |
| 1910 | 1,377 | −5.0% |
| 1920 | 1,302 | −5.4% |
| 1930 | 1,464 | +12.4% |
| 1940 | 1,284 | −12.3% |
| 1950 | 1,292 | +0.6% |
| 1960 | 1,155 | −10.6% |
| 1970 | 1,025 | −11.3% |
| 1980 | 1,123 | +9.6% |
| 1990 | 1,280 | +14.0% |
| 2000 | 1,308 | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 1,337 | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 1,228 | −8.2% |
| 2022 | 1,220 | −0.7% |
Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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According to the 2000 census, there were 1,308 people living in Chester. These people lived in 500 households, with 360 of them being families. The average household had about 2.62 people.
About 25% of the town's population was under 18 years old. Around 11.5% of the people were 65 years or older. The average age in Chester was 39 years.
Chester Public Library
The public library in Chester first opened its doors in 1894. It's a place where people can borrow books and learn new things. In 2008, the town spent about $28,512 on its library. This was about $22 for each person living in Chester.
Chester Theatre Company
Chester is home to a professional summer theater group called the Chester Theatre Company. This theater company was started in 1990. They put on plays and performances during the summer months.
Notable People from Chester
- Rowland Day: A person who served as a congressman.
- Capt. David Shepard: An American doctor and soldier. He was an early supporter of using inoculation to prevent smallpox, a serious disease.
See also
In Spanish: Chester (Massachusetts) para niños
