Southwick Rail Trail
TRAIL MAP (official)
Category: Uncategorized
Manhan Rail Trail
Norwottuck Rail Trail
Rail Trails in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts
Rail Trails in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts
Connecticut River Greenway State Park
Connecticut River Greenway State Park
| park | community | location | MY LINK |
| Pauchaug Brook | Northfield | MY LINK | |
| Barton Cove | Gill | MY LINK | |
| Sunderland Ramp | Sunderland | MY LINK | |
| Hatfield Ramp | Hatfield | MY LINK | |
| Elwell Recreation Area | Northampton | Damon Road | MY LINK |
| Oxbow Ramp | Easthampton | off Route 5 | MY LINK |
| South Hadley/Chicopee Boat Access | South Hadley | off Main Street | MY LINK |
| Chicopee Boat Access | Chicopee | MY LINK | |
Calvin Coolidge Memorial Bridge
Calvin Coolidge Memorial Bridge is from 1939. It has 5 spans. It was dedicated October 12 of 1939. This is the 5th bridge at this location. It was funded under the Hayden Cartwright Act.
Rail Trails in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts
Historical Walking Tour of the Rail Trail and Coolidge Bridge
1 – Norwottuck Rail Trail (Mass Central Branch)
This rail trail extends from Northampton to Belchertown.
2 – Northampton
Irene Gleason House at 399 Damon Road Northampton is from 1850. The Pomeroy Terrace Historic District is only a mile away.
3 – Connecticut River Greenway State Park
Great access point into the Connecticut River for small boats.
Rodolph Harvey Turcotte – FINDAGRAVE
4 – Calvin Coolidge Memorial Bridge
There is a sidewalk on the northern edge of the bridge.
Check out the great views to the south of the Mount Holyoke Range and the Connecticut River.
5 – Hadley
Both bridges are part of the Hadley Center Historic District. On the way back check out the farmland in Hadley.
TURNAROUND POINT at Cross Path Road
6 – Norwottuck Rail Trail (to Hadley and Amherst)
7 – Connecticut River Railroad Bridge
Get views on both sides of the bridge – one north up the Connecticut River and one south toward the Coolidge Bridge. Examine the details of the spans of the Coolidge Bridge.
8 – Park
Return to the trailhead parking lot and hope that you enjoyed your walk. This Norwottuck Rail Trail continues into downtown Northampton. It meets the Manhan Rail Trail.
Connecticut River Railroad Bridge
Connecticut River Railroad Bridge is from 1887. It is by Hawkins and Tompson.
aka Massachusetts Central Railroad Bridge
aka B & M Railroad Bridge over Connecticut River
Nativity Church
Nativity Church
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was started in August 1894 when Father Delphos fixed up a social hall as a small chapel. It was on Olivine Street. It was called Notre Dame des Victoires. Father McCoy said the first mass there on Christmas Day. For a few years there was a mission church feel to the mass until September 12 1897 when the Rev Hormisdas Hamelin was made first pastor. (There was also a small social center on Prospect Street.) The church was made in 1909 and the rectory in 1910. This is a parish for the Quebec ethnic group. 782 Chicopee Street (LOCATION) The Mount Carmel School belonged to the parish.
The pastors are Hormisdas Hamelin, McGillicuddy, and more. Rev. Simard served here from September 4 1919 to June 11 1944. In 1925 Simard helped along with the formation of St Anthony’s Church. He also helped with the St Mary’s Church.
| pastor | starts | ends | burial |
| Hormisdas Hamelin | 1897 | FINDAGRAVE | |
| McGillicuddy | 1916 | ||
| Emelien J B Delage | 1916 | 1919 | FINDAGRAVE |
| Louis Arthur Simard | 1919 | 1944 | FINDAGRAVE |
| J F Leon Ruty | FINDAGRAVE | ||
| FINDAGRAVE | |||
| FINDAGRAVE | |||
| FINDAGRAVE | |||
| FINDAGRAVE | |||
Grace Episcopal Church
Grace Episcopal Church
This Gothic church was finished in 1897 and the Grace Church was consecrated on July 6 1897. It is an offshoot of the Christ’s Cathedral in Springfield. It is located at the corner of Springfield and Pleasant Streets.
