South Hadley, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
South Hadley, Massachusetts
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The First Congregational Church and, in the background, the South Hadley Post Office and Village Commons
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| Motto(s):
Agriculture, Education, Manufactures
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Location in Hampshire County in Massachusetts
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Hampshire | |
| Settled | 1721 | |
| Incorporated | 1775 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Representative town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 18.4 sq mi (47.6 km2) | |
| • Land | 17.7 sq mi (45.9 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km2) | |
| Elevation | 257 ft (78 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 18,150 | |
| • Density | 1,025.4/sq mi (395.4/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP Code |
01075
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| Area code(s) | 413 | |
| FIPS code | 25-64145 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618208 | |
| Website | www.southhadley.org | |
South Hadley is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It's a part of the Springfield, Massachusetts area. In 2020, about 18,150 people lived there.
South Hadley is known for its schools and colleges. It is home to Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley High School, Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School, and the Berkshire Hills Music Academy.
Contents
Discovering South Hadley's Past
South Hadley was first settled by English people from Hadley in 1721. Before that, it was an empty area since 1659. The town officially became its own separate town in 1775.
This town is special because it had the nation's first successful canal for boats. It also has Mount Holyoke College, which is the oldest college for women that is still open today.
In the 1900s, William H. Gaylord gave a monument to South Hadley. It honors soldiers from the Civil War and stands in the town center. The Gaylord family also gave the town the Gaylord Memorial Library.
Exploring South Hadley's Geography
South Hadley is in the western part of Massachusetts, in an area called the Pioneer Valley. To the north, it borders Hadley and Amherst. Granby is to the east, and Chicopee is to the south. The Connecticut River forms the town's western border. Across the river are the cities of Holyoke and Easthampton.
South Hadley is about 45 miles (72 km) south of Brattleboro, Vermont. It is also about 87 miles (140 km) west of Boston and 145 miles (233 km) from New York City.
Travel and Transportation
While no major interstate highways go through South Hadley, you can use U.S. Route 202 and Massachusetts Highways 33, 47, and 116 to get around. You can reach Interstate 91 in nearby Holyoke and Interstate 90 in Chicopee.
For air travel, Westover Metropolitan Airport is in Chicopee. Bradley International Airport, which serves the Hartford-Springfield area, is about 17 miles (27 km) south. The closest train station is the Holyoke station.
Town Centers and Natural Features
The Village Commons is a popular spot for dining, shopping, and fun. It's located where Routes 116 and 47 meet, in an area called South Hadley Center. Other shopping areas are on Route 33 and further south on Route 116, including South Hadley Falls. South Hadley Falls is right across the river from Holyoke.
The town covers about 18.4 square miles (47.6 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small part being water. The Holyoke Range of mountains runs through the northern part of town. This range separates South Hadley from Hadley and Amherst. South Hadley also has 12 reservoirs and 6 natural ponds.
Amazing Dinosaur Discovery
In 1802, a farmer named Pliny Moody found something incredible in South Hadley. He was plowing his field when he discovered a sandstone slab with large, mysterious footprints. This was the first confirmed evidence of a dinosaur ever found in North America! This happened 40 years before scientists even knew what dinosaurs were.
Later, Professor Edward Hitchcock studied the slab. He thought the footprints were made by giant ancient birds. Today, this important slab is on display at the Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College.
People of South Hadley
South Hadley has grown a lot over the years. In 1850, there were about 2,495 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 18,150.
Most people in South Hadley are White. There are also smaller groups of African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The town has a mix of families and individuals living there. The average age of people in South Hadley is about 38 years old.
South Hadley's Economy
South Hadley's economy has changed over time, just like many other places. Today, it still has businesses in farming, education, and manufacturing. Mount Holyoke College is the biggest employer in the area. Many other businesses support the college and its students.
The town also has some farms. You can find small machine shops and manufacturing companies here too. One important company is E Ink Corporation, which has a research and manufacturing facility in South Hadley.
Education in South Hadley
South Hadley is home to Mount Holyoke College. This college is part of the Five College Consortium and is the oldest of the Seven Sisters colleges for women.
South Hadley High School has a strong sports program. Their lacrosse team won the state championship in 2004. The boys' soccer team won the Division IV state championship in 2022, and the girls' soccer team won Division III in 2019. The football team won the Division IA Super Bowl in 2005 and the Division II Super Bowl in 2010. The boys' golf team won the Division 1 state championship in 2008. The Tigers Hockey team, which includes students from Holyoke, Granby, and South Hadley, has won several championships. The baseball team won the Division II state championship in 2012.
The South Hadley High School Marching Band is also very successful. They have won many awards in state and New England competitions. They are known for having one of the best percussion sections in the region.
The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School is also in South Hadley. It's a public school that focuses on performing arts.
Another special school is the Berkshire Hills Music Academy (BHMA). This private school helps young adults with learning or developmental disabilities. It opened in 2001 on a 40-acre (16 ha) estate.
Famous People from South Hadley
Many interesting people have connections to South Hadley:
- Daniel T. Barry: A retired NASA astronaut who also appeared on the TV show Survivor: Panama-Exile Island.
- Joseph Brodsky: A Russian poet and essayist who taught at Mount Holyoke College. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1987.
- Alfred C. Chapin: A lawyer and Congressman who was also the mayor of Brooklyn, New York.
- A. Bartlett Giamatti: The seventh commissioner of Major League Baseball and a former president of Yale University.
- Mary Lyon: An important educator who founded Mount Holyoke College.
- George Herbert Mead: An American philosopher, sociologist, and psychologist. He is considered one of the founders of social psychology.
- Peter Viereck: An American poet, political thinker, and history professor at Mount Holyoke College.
- Lesley Visser: A famous sports journalist. She was the first woman to be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for her work in radio and television.
See also
In Spanish: South Hadley (Massachusetts) para niños
