Montague, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Montague is a town
in Franklin County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 8,489 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
metropolitan statistical area
.
The villages of Montague Center, Montague City, Lake Pleasant
, Millers Falls
, and Turners Falls
are located in the town of Montague.
tribe, the area was known as Peskeompskut. Montague was first settled in 1715 and was incorporated in 1754. The town has five villages within it: Montague Center, Montague City, Turners Falls
, Millers Falls
, and Lake Pleasant
. The Turners Falls Canal
through Montague was one of the first canals in the United States, and important in early transport along the Connecticut River
, and Lake Pleasant was a prominent spiritualist campground.
, the town has a total area of 31.4 square miles (81.3 km²), of which, 30.4 square miles (78.7 km²) is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) (3.22%) is water. Bounded on the west by the Connecticut River
, Montague is drained by the Millers River
.
The town is served by state routes 2, 47
and 63.
of 2000, there were 8,489 people, 3,616 households, and 2,169 families residing in the town. The population density
was 279.2 people per square mile (107.8/km²). There were 3,844 housing units at an average density of 126.4 per square mile (48.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.13% White, 0.84% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races
, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.56% of the population.
There were 3,616 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples
living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $43,194. Males had a median income of $33,705 versus $27,303 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $17,794. About 9.1% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Franklin County
Franklin County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,535 people, 29,466 households, and 18,416 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 31,939 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 8,489 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
metropolitan statistical area
Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan area
The Springfield Metropolitan Area is a region that is socio-economically and culturally tied to the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines the Springfield metropolitan statistical area as consisting of three counties in Western Massachusetts. As of...
.
The villages of Montague Center, Montague City, Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant, Massachusetts
Lake Pleasant is a village in Montague, Massachusetts, United States, and the site of an early and prominent American Spiritualist campground. It claims to be the oldest continuously-existing Spiritualist community in the United States....
, Millers Falls
Millers Falls, Massachusetts
Millers Falls is a census-designated place in the town of Montague in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,072 at the 2000 census...
, and Turners Falls
Turners Falls, Massachusetts
Turners Falls is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Montague in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,441 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area...
are located in the town of Montague.
History
Originally inhabited by the PocomtucPocomtuc
The Pocumtuck, also Pocomtuc or Deerfield Indians, were a Native American tribe formerly inhabiting western Massachusetts, especially around the confluence of the Deerfield and Connecticut Rivers in Franklin County. Their territory also included parts of Hampden and Hampshire County, as well as...
tribe, the area was known as Peskeompskut. Montague was first settled in 1715 and was incorporated in 1754. The town has five villages within it: Montague Center, Montague City, Turners Falls
Turners Falls, Massachusetts
Turners Falls is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Montague in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,441 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Millers Falls
Millers Falls, Massachusetts
Millers Falls is a census-designated place in the town of Montague in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,072 at the 2000 census...
, and Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant, Massachusetts
Lake Pleasant is a village in Montague, Massachusetts, United States, and the site of an early and prominent American Spiritualist campground. It claims to be the oldest continuously-existing Spiritualist community in the United States....
. The Turners Falls Canal
Turners Falls Canal
The Turners Falls Canal, also historically known as the Montague Canal, was a canal along the Connecticut River in Montague, Massachusetts...
through Montague was one of the first canals in the United States, and important in early transport along the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, and Lake Pleasant was a prominent spiritualist campground.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 31.4 square miles (81.3 km²), of which, 30.4 square miles (78.7 km²) is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) (3.22%) is water. Bounded on the west by the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, Montague is drained by the Millers River
Millers River
The Millers River is a river in northern Massachusetts, originating in Ashburnham and joining the Connecticut River just downstream from Millers Falls, Massachusetts...
.
The town is served by state routes 2, 47
Massachusetts Route 47
Route 47 is a north–south state highway in the Pioneer Valley region of the U.S. state of Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 47 begins at Route 116 in South Hadley near the northwest corner of the Mount Holyoke College campus. It heads northwestward towards the southwest corner of...
and 63.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,489 people, 3,616 households, and 2,169 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 279.2 people per square mile (107.8/km²). There were 3,844 housing units at an average density of 126.4 per square mile (48.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.13% White, 0.84% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.56% of the population.
There were 3,616 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $43,194. Males had a median income of $33,705 versus $27,303 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $17,794. About 9.1% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
See also
- BookmillBookmillThe Bookmill is an independent bookstore in Montague, Massachusetts. The 1834 grist mill it occupies is listed as the Alvah Stone Mill on the National Register of Historic Places....
- Canalside Rail TrailCanalside Rail TrailThe Canalside Rail Trail is a trail, partially on old railroad beds, from East Deerfield, Massachusetts, to Turners Falls, town of Montague, Massachusetts. A short portion of the trail runs along town streets, but the majority is on a paved trail from which motor vehicles are prohibited. The...
- Canalside Rail Trail BridgeCanalside Rail Trail BridgeThe Canalside Rail Trail Bridge is a former New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad rail bridge across the Connecticut River between...
- General Pierce BridgeGeneral Pierce BridgeThe General Pierce Bridge is a steel truss road bridge over the Connecticut River between Greenfield, Massachusetts and Montague, Massachusetts carrying Montague City Road.It is currently being scheduled for major repairs...
- Montague Center Historic DistrictMontague Center Historic DistrictMontague Center Historic District is a historic district on Center, Main, North, School & Union Streets in Montague, Massachusetts.It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001....
- Montague Nuclear Power PlantMontague Nuclear Power PlantThe Montague Nuclear Power Plant was to consist of two 1,150-megawatt nuclear reactors to be located in Montague, Massachusetts. The project was proposed in 1973 and canceled in 1980, after $29 million was spent on the project....
- Springfield Terminal railroad bridgeSpringfield Terminal railroad bridge, DeerfieldThe Springfield Terminal railroad bridge in Deerfield, Massachusetts is a three-span deck-truss bridge which crosses the Connecticut River.- History :...
- Turners Falls Road BridgeTurners Falls Road BridgeThe Turners Falls Road Bridge is a concrete and steel road bridge over the Connecticut River in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It carries Turners Falls Road and connects the town center of Greenfield and the village of Turners Falls .- History :The current bridge is the second on this site...
- Deerfield MassacreDeerfield massacreThe Raid on Deerfield occurred during Queen Anne's War on February 29, 1704, when French and Native American forces under the command of Jean-Baptiste Hertel de Rouville attacked the English settlement at Deerfield, Massachusetts just before dawn, burning part of the town and killing 56...
Notable residents
- Christopher BaldwinChristopher BaldwinChristopher Baldwin is an American illustrator and author of several webcomics, the most significant being Bruno, a look at the life of an introspective young woman set in the real world....
, illustrator and author - BOBBYBOBBY (band)BOBBY is a cooperative musical project based on the talents of musicians from Partisan Records and Knitting Factory Records which is notable for achieving an avant garde alternative sound using polyrhythm as well as achieving critical acclaim before releasing their first album entitled Bobby...
, a group of indie folkIndie folkIndie folk is a music genre that arose in the 1990s from singer/songwriters in the indie rock community showing heavy influences from folk music scenes of the 50s, 60s and early 70s, country music, and indie rock. A few early artists included Lou Barlow, Beck, Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith...
musicians - Rico BrognaRico BrognaRico Joseph Brogna is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves in his career starting in 1992, and from 1994 to 2001...
, first baseman - Eric ChesterEric ChesterEric Thomas Chester is an American author, socialist political activist, and former economics professor.Born in New York City, he is the son of Harry and Alice Chester...
, author, activist and professor - Cornelia ClappCornelia ClappCornelia Maria Clapp was an American zoologist and academic specializing in marine biology.Born in Montague, Massachusetts, Clapp was educated at Mount Holyoke Seminary, the forerunner of today’s Mount Holyoke College, and graduated in 1871...
, zoologist - Philip H. HoffPhilip H. HoffPhilip Henderson Hoff is an American politician from the U.S. state of Vermont where he served as the 73rd Governor of Vermont from 1963 to 1969. At the time of his election, he was the first Democrat elected Governor of Vermont in 108 years.-Life and career:Hoff was born in Turners Falls,...
, governor of Vermont - Howes BrothersHowes BrothersThe Howes Brothers were early entrants into the world of commercial photography who enjoyed a vibrant career in the years after the American Civil War....
, photographers - Samuel L. MontagueSamuel L. MontagueSamuel Leland Montague was a Massachusetts politician who served on the Common Council the Board of Aldermen and as the Mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts.-Early life:...
, politician - Isaac MorleyIsaac MorleyIsaac Morley was an early member of the Latter Day Saint movement and a contemporary of both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. He was one of the first converts to Smith's Church of Christ...
, religious leader - Charles Boudinot RootCharles Boudinot RootCharles Boudinot Root was a silversmith and a prominent North Carolina citizen of the 19th century. He became president of the Raleigh, North Carolina Gas Company shortly after the American Civil War. He served in this capacity for eighteen years...
, silversmith and businessman - Sidney RootSidney RootSidney Root an American businessman.Root was born in Montague in western Massachusetts, but early in his life his family moved to Vermont, where his boyhood days were spent in the shadow of the Green Mountains. On his father's plantation he acquired the industrious habits which characterized him...
, businessman - Luther SeveranceLuther SeveranceLuther Severance was a United States Representative and diplomat from Maine.-Life:He was born in Montague, Massachusetts on October 26, 1797. He moved with his parents to Cazenovia, New York in 1799. He attended the common schools, and learned the printer's trade in Peterboro, New York.He...
, congressman - Doug SmithDoug Smith (baseball)Douglass Weldon Smith was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the season. Listed at 5' 10", 168 lb., Smith batted and threw left-handed...
, relief pitcher - Tommy "Foghorn" TuckerTommy Tucker (baseball)Thomas Joseph Tucker was a first baseman in Major League Baseball who played with six different teams between 1887 and 1899. Listed at 5' 11", 165 lb., Tucker was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed....
, 3rd all-time for hit-by-pitch in major league baseball
External links
- Town of Montague, Massachusetts
- Turners Falls Water Department
- Turners Falls Fire Department
- Montague Library System
- Montague Center Library
- MontagueMA.net, a community website running since 1999
- A local political blog
- PowerTowneDistro.com a local political blog and forum
- Great Falls Discovery Center - Turner's Falls MA