Category: Uncategorized

Cabot Mills in Chicopee

None of the two original Cabot Mills now exist. The mill to the west of the bridge was built in 1912 long after the Cabot Mill functioned. (LOCATION) The Cabot Mills were the first mills in this section of Chicopee. They had worker housing across the canal but even that is not here any more.

Thanks to MACRIS for the following information:

mill	ready	first used
Cabot 1	June 12 1834
Cabot 2	July 23 1835
Perkins 3	May 1 1836	March 1 1837
Perkins 4	July 1 1837	April 24 1838
Dwight 5	1838	March 1 1841
Dwight 6	June 8 1841	February 24 1842
Dwight 7	June 8 1844	May 15 1845

Chicopee Canal Raceways

The Chicopee Canal had many raceways. (LOCATION) A race is a tunnel that transports water from a canal under a mill and out to another body of water. The reason for a race is to have the flowing water hit against a turbine to generate hydromechanical power. The raceway to the west of the bridge is now from a turbine that generates hydroelectric power.

Second Dam of the Chicopee Canal

Standing on the Davitt Bridge, that breached dam that you see in the distance is the second one built in this section of the Chicopee River. (LOCATION) Three dams were built in the Chicopee Falls section of the city along that canal. This second dam in this section was made in 1834. Its function was to feed four small mills with water. It was damaged in a 1888 flood and never fixed.

Chicopee Canal

A great view of the Chicopee Canal is had from the bridge. (LOCATION) It is neither a wide nor a deep canal but does still have a steady flow.

The Chicopee Center Canal comes to an end at the Connecticut River so at this point there is still a ways to go. This is where the Chicopee train station was and also notice those two trees. At this point, catch the view of Chicopee City Hall.

Ames Manufacturing Company

The Ames Factory is spread across 5 buildings. (LOCATION) A couple of the buildings have been made into housing. The Ames Factory came in the 1829 to Chicopee to make shovels and tools. On March 28 1833 they were along the canal and were now making swords and cannons. LINK to more images of the mill.

Behind you at 3 Grape Street is the home of John Chase – the agent for the canal.

Chicopee Canal Walkway

The Chicopee Canal now has a walkway (LOCATION) that extends opposite the Ames Factory site. It is on the former railroad track of the Chicopee River. Hopefully some day it will be extended more to the east and west.

Chicopee Canal Dam

There were two canal systems in Chicopee. The first was built in 1823 along the Chicopee Falls section of the Chicopee River. That canal and dam are now gone. A second canal was built in Chicopee in 1832 (started April 1 and water enters it December 8) along the lower part of the Chicopee River. Its dam and canal still exists and is visible off the dirt path that once held the railroad tracks. (LOCATION)

The  Springfield Canal Company built this canal and it is called the  Springfield Canal. The company sold water rights to mill that wanted to develop along the canal.

Images of some of the water right deeds.

Mercy Hospital in Springfield

name	built	architect	address
Maternity Hospital	1907	Donohue	Carew St nearest Chestnut
Mercy Hospital Hearing Center	1899	Donohue	Butler St
Sisters of Providence Convent	1867		233 Carew St
Wing	1927	Donohue	213 Carew St
Nurses Home	1923	Donohue	35 Arbor St
Maternity Center	1996		Carew St
Medical Building	1974		Carew St
Hospital	1974		271 Carew St
Physicians Office Building	1988		299 Carew St

Springfield Home for Aged Women

Elizabeth Pomeroy Residence