Workmen preparing a vehicles to be removed from Lake Massasoit (2020)
Description:
A photograph of workmen preparing a vehicles to be removed from Lake Massasoit (Watershops Pond) in early November 2020. The lake was drained to fix the dam and revealed a number of vehicles resting on the lakebed. There are three workmen standing near or on the shore of Lake Massasoit. One man is doing something to the back of an overturned vehicle that is on the shore. Another worker is gesturing to a man who is standing in a small boat that rests on the shoreline. A Volkswagen Bug can be seen half submerged in the water before them. In 1809, Lake Massasoit was formed by the army by damming the Mill River. The purpose of the dam was to ensure a constant flow of water downstream for the Springfield Armory “Watershops.” The Springfield Armory was America’s first and last National Armory, formed in 1777 and continuing production up until 1968. The formerly named Watershops Pond has 7 miles of shoreline and covers 186 acres. From 1892-1900, the buildings of Springfield College began to come about, and the name was changed to Lake Massasoit by Springfield College officials. The name came from a local hotel, the Massasoit House, owned by Marvin Chapin, a generous benefactor of the college. In 1920, the college purchased a large area of land on the upper end of the pond, and called it the “Freshman Camp.” Since the college was formed, students, faculty and visitors have used the Pond for sailing, swimming, ice skating and fishing. However, the lake was officially closed for swimming in 1984 when the lake was said to be unhealthy. This is a digital photograph. The image was printed and a print copy was placed in a folder within the collection.
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