Lake Massasoit postcard

Item Information

Title:
Lake Massasoit postcard
Description:
This is a postcard that shows Springfield College's (then International YMCA Training School) Lake Massasoit and several buildings along the shore. The lake is surrounded by trees, and Administration Building can be seen across the lake in the center of the postcard. Gladden Boathouse is on the right side and Woods Hall is behind it. Not sure what building is to the left of Administration Building. 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.
Creator:
The Springfield News Company
Date:
[1904?–1912?]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Subjects:
Administration Building
Gladden Boathouse
International Young Men's Christian Association Training School (Springfield, Mass.)
Lake Massasoit
Springfield College
Springfield College--Buildings
Woods Hall
Springfield (Mass.)
Lakes & ponds
Trees
Postcards
Buildings
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Extent:
2 Pages
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/22753
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
The Springfield News Company
Language:
English
Identifier:
rg149-05-02-04-005