Westfield Center Historic District facts for kids
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Westfield Center Historic District
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Rinnova Building
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Downtown Westfield, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 4.25 acres (1.72 ha) (original size) 157 acres (64 ha) (after increase) |
| NRHP reference No. | 08000506 (original) 13000441 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 10, 2008 |
| Boundary increase | June 25, 2013 |
The Westfield Center Historic District is a special area in Westfield, Massachusetts. It's like a time capsule showing how the city grew. This district covers about 157 acres. It includes many important buildings. These buildings tell the story of Westfield's past. They show its history as a center for business and industry. The district was first recognized in 2008. It was made much larger and renamed in 2013.
Contents
Discovering Westfield's Historic Heart
This historic district is the main part of downtown Westfield. It shows how the city changed over time. You can see buildings from the 1800s. These buildings tell about Westfield's growth. They highlight its role in making whips. They also show its early days as a place for education. Westfield became an important center for the western part of Hampden County.
A Journey Through Time in Westfield
Westfield was first settled in the 1600s. English colonists built their town center here. It was near where the Westfield and Little Rivers meet. For a long time, it was mostly a farming town.
How Westfield Grew
In the early 1800s, things began to change. People started making whips at home. This was a "cottage industry." The Hampshire and Hampden Canal also helped. It made it easier to move goods. The town center moved west around this time. It settled near Park Square and Elm Street.
The "Whip City" Story
Westfield became famous for its many factories. The biggest industry was whip-making. This led to Westfield being called "Whip City." This industry was very important for a long time. It slowed down when cars became popular. People didn't need whips for horses as much.
Education Comes to Town
In the late 1800s, Westfield also became a center for learning. It became home to the state's second "normal school." A normal school was a college for training teachers. Today, this school is known as Westfield State University.
Important Buildings to See
The buildings in the city center show its rich history. Many buildings are from the late 1800s and early 1900s. You can still see important factory buildings. These include old whip factories.
Famous Factories
- The Sanford Whip Factory
- The Westfield Whip Manufacturing Company
- The United States Whip Company Complex
Historic School Buildings
The district also includes buildings linked to the old normal school.
- The Westfield Municipal Building: This building used to be the normal school. Now it is the city hall.
- The State Normal Training School: This was an elementary school. It was used to help train new teachers.
Some old neighborhoods are also part of the historic district. They show where people lived near the busy commercial area.
