Gill, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gill, Massachusetts
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The Connecticut River looking north in the early evening, from the French King Bridge at the Erving–Gill town line
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Location in Franklin County in Massachusetts
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Franklin | |
| Settled | 1776 | |
| Incorporated | 1793 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 14.8 sq mi (38.3 km2) | |
| • Land | 13.7 sq mi (35.6 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.0 sq mi (2.7 km2) | |
| Elevation | 377 ft (115 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,551 | |
| • Density | 104.88/sq mi (40.50/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP Code |
01354
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| Area code(s) | 413 | |
| FIPS code | 25-25730 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618164 | |
Gill is a small town located in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. In 2020, about 1,551 people lived there. It is part of the larger Springfield area. The famous Northfield Mount Hermon School campus is found in the Mount Hermon part of Gill.
Did you know that "Gill" is the only town name in Massachusetts where all the letters are in alphabetical order? It's a fun fact that makes Gill unique among the 351 towns and cities in the state!
Contents
Gill's Past: A Look at History
Early Days and Native American History
Before English settlers arrived, the Connecticut River valley in Massachusetts was home to the Nipmuc people. They were an Algonquin-speaking tribe. Archeologists have found signs of people living near the great falls for over 10,000 years. In the 1670s, the Nipmuc had a village called Peskeompscut in this area.
During a conflict known as King Philip's War in 1676, Captain William Turner led an attack on this village. Many Native Americans, mostly women, children, and elderly, were killed. After this event, the falls became known as Turners Falls. This name was later given to the village of Turners Falls in the nearby town of Montague.
How Gill Became a Town
Gill was first settled by colonists in 1776. It officially became a town in 1793. The town was named after Moses Gill. He was an important person in Massachusetts government. He served on the Executive Council and later became the acting governor in 1799.
The first town meeting in Gill happened on December 18, 1793. Moses Bascom was the leader of this meeting. They elected town officers, including Moses Bascom Jr. as town clerk and treasurer.
Where is Gill? Understanding its Geography
Gill is located on the west side of the Connecticut River. This river forms most of the town's eastern and southern borders. It separates Gill from Northfield to the east and Erving and Montague to the southeast and south.
A smaller river, the Fall River, creates the border with Greenfield to the southwest. Gill also shares land borders with Bernardston to the northwest and a part of Northfield to the north. The town covers about 38.3 square kilometers (about 14.8 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Who Lives in Gill? Demographics
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 754 | — |
| 1860 | 683 | −9.4% |
| 1870 | 653 | −4.4% |
| 1880 | 733 | +12.3% |
| 1890 | 960 | +31.0% |
| 1900 | 1,015 | +5.7% |
| 1910 | 942 | −7.2% |
| 1920 | 879 | −6.7% |
| 1930 | 983 | +11.8% |
| 1940 | 931 | −5.3% |
| 1950 | 1,070 | +14.9% |
| 1960 | 1,203 | +12.4% |
| 1970 | 1,100 | −8.6% |
| 1980 | 1,259 | +14.5% |
| 1990 | 1,583 | +25.7% |
| 2000 | 1,363 | −13.9% |
| 2010 | 1,500 | +10.1% |
| 2020 | 1,551 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 1,560 | +0.6% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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In 2000, there were 1,363 people living in Gill. There were 537 households, and 373 families. About 32.6% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.53 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 23.7% of the people were under 18 years old. About 12.8% were 65 years or older. The average age in Gill was 42 years.
Learning in Gill: Education
Gill has one elementary school called Gill Elementary School. After elementary school, students go to Great Falls Middle School and Turner Falls High School. Both of these schools are located in the nearby town of Montague.
Fun Places to Visit in Gill
- Northfield Mount Hermon School - A well-known boarding school.
- French King Bridge - A famous bridge with great views.
- Gill–Montague Bridge - Another bridge connecting Gill to Montague.
- Renaissance Community - A historic commune that existed from 1968 to 1988.
- Turners Falls Dam - A dam on the Connecticut River.
Famous People from Gill
- Bryan Callen - A comedian, actor, writer, and podcaster.
- E. Stevens Henry - A former U.S. Representative.
- Sereno Merrill - A Wisconsin State Assemblyman.
- Matt Striebel - A professional lacrosse player.
Images for kids
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Monument on the Gill side of the Turners falls _ Gill Bridge]], with the text "Captain William Turner with 145 men surprised and destroyed over 300 Indians encamped at this place May 19, 1676"
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Gill Town Hall
See also
In Spanish: Gill (Massachusetts) para niños
