Enfield, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Enfield, Massachusetts
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"The end of Enfield." A photograph of downtown Enfield, after 1938.
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Hampshire | |
| Incorporated | February 15, 1816 | |
| Disincorporated | April 28, 1938 | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | Eastern | |
| GNIS feature ID | 617477 | |
Enfield was a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA. It was a real place that existed for many years. However, Enfield is no longer on the map. The town was removed to create the Quabbin Reservoir, a large lake that provides drinking water.
Contents
The Story of Enfield
Enfield became an official town on February 15, 1816. It was formed from parts of two other towns, Greenwich and Belchertown. The town was named after an early settler, Robert Field.
A famous person who once lived in Enfield was General Joseph Hooker. He was an important general during the American Civil War. His grandfather was also a leader in the town.
Enfield was located where two branches of the Swift River met. A railroad also ran through the town, connecting it to other places. Enfield shared borders with six other towns: Belchertown, Pelham, Greenwich, Prescott, Ware, and Hardwick.
Why Enfield Disappeared
On April 28, 1938, Enfield officially stopped being a town. This happened because the land was needed for the Quabbin Reservoir. The reservoir was built to supply drinking water to Boston and other cities.
When Enfield was disincorporated, parts of its land were given to nearby towns. These towns included Belchertown, New Salem, Pelham, and Ware. Most of the old town center of Enfield is now under the water of the reservoir.
The main office for building the Quabbin Reservoir was in Enfield's old town hall. This building was the very last one torn down in the Swift River Valley in 1940.
Enfield's Legacy Today
Even though the town is gone, you can still visit some parts of the area. The Quabbin Observatory and Enfield Lookout are popular spots. They offer great views of the reservoir. The main entrance to Quabbin State Park is also located where Enfield used to be. This park is a popular place for learning about history and nature.
A living facility at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, is named "Enfield House." It helps remember the former town.
Enfield in Books and Songs
Enfield has appeared in different forms of popular culture.
- A lot of the novel Infinite Jest takes place in a city called Enfield, Massachusetts. The author, David Foster Wallace, confirmed he got the name from the real town. However, the town in the book is a fictional place, not the actual Enfield.
- At the town's final farewell ball, the band played the song "Auld Lang Syne". When the music ended, the town officially became part of Belchertown.
- Mark Erelli's song "The Farewell Ball" tells the story of the town's last dance. It's from the point of view of someone who used to live in Enfield.
- Someday by Jackie French Koller is a children's book about Enfield's history. It tells the story of a girl who has to move from Enfield because the town will be flooded to create the reservoir.
Other Towns Lost to Quabbin Reservoir
Enfield was not the only town that disappeared for the Quabbin Reservoir. Here are others:
Images for kids
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Enfield Lookout
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Overlooking Quabbin Reservoir from Quabbin Hill Road
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Enfield Bridge
