Palmer, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
The Town of Palmer is a city in Hampden County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 12,140 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. Although known as a town, Palmer adopted a home rule charter in 2004 with a council-manager form of government and is considered a city under Massachusetts law.
The communities of Bondsville
, Thorndike, Depot Village
, and Three Rivers
are located in the town.
railroad terminal designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson
), Thorndike, Three Rivers
, and Bondsville. The villages began to develop their distinctive characters in the 18th century, and by the 19th century, two rail lines and a trolley line opened the town to population growth. Today, each village has its own post office and fire stations.
Palmer's first settler was John King. He was born in Edwardstone
, Suffolk, England. He built his home in 1716 on the banks of the Chicopee River. A large group of Scottish-Irish Presbyterians followed, arriving in 1727. In 1775, Massachusetts officially incorporated Palmer. Depot Village became Palmer's main commercial and business center during the late 19th century and remains so today. Palmer's industry developed in Bondsville. During the 18th century, saw and grist mills were established by the rivers. By 1825, Palmer woolen mills began to produce textiles. Subsequently, the Blanchard Scythe Factory, Wright Wire Woolen Mills, and the Holden-Fuller Woolen Mills developed major industrial capacity, and constructed large amounts of workers' housing. By 1900, Boston Duck (which made heavy cotton fabric) had over 500 employees in the town. Camp Ramah in New England
is located in Palmer, and it is one of the older Ramah camps. The 20th century brought about a shift of immigrants in Palmer from those of French and Scottish origin to those of primarily Polish and French-Canadian extraction.
has reached an agreement with the Town of Palmer to construct a new road course near their town. Palmer Motorsports Park
will operate along a similar vein as Buttonwillow Raceway Park
in California
, in that it will be owned and operated by a limited liability corporation formed by New England Region. This effort is to ensure that NER would have its own "flagship" racetrack, as the two tracks it currently uses - New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Lime Rock Park
in Connecticut
- are heavily used by NASCAR
. The benefits to the town would include upwards of $50,000 a year in property income taxes and increased business at local gas stations, restaurants, motels and retail stores.
As of 2011, Palmer is the site favored by Mohegan Sun
for a "resort style" casino. This casino would lie directly off of Palmer's exit on the Mass Pike, not far from its Main Street, where the railroad would bring additional tourists. Ironically, the Palmer Amtrak stop is scheduled, in late 2012, to be re-routed to the Central Corridor Rail Line
, with a southern terminus in New London, Connecticut
and a northern terminus in Brattleboro, Vermont
, passing the original Mohegan Sun - so, hypothetically, one could travel door-to-door from one Mohegan Sun to the other by rail.
, the town has a total area of 32.0 square miles (82.9 km²), of which 31.5 square miles (81.7 km²) are land and 0.5 square mile (1.3 km²) (1.53%) is water. The town is bordered by Ludlow and Wilbraham on the southwest, Belchertown on the northwest, Ware on the northeast, Warren on the east, Brimfield on the southeast, and Monson on the south.
of 2000, there were 12,497 people, 5,078 households, and 3,331 families residing in the town. The population density
was 396.3 people per square mile (153.0/km²). There were 5,402 housing units at an average density of 171.3 per square mile (66.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.82% White, 0.75% Black or African American
, 0.23% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.44% from other races
, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.23% of the population.
There were 5,078 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples
living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,443, and the median income for a family was $49,358. Males had a median income of $35,748 versus $26,256 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,664. About 5.8% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
serves grades 5 through 7, and Palmer High School
serves grades 8 through 12. Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School is also located in Palmer, and serves grades 9 through 12.
, Central Massachusetts
, Hampden
, and Southern New England railroads.
Currently, the old B&A line is owned by CSX, and the old Central Vermont by New England Central Railroad
. Massachusetts Central Railroad
interchanges with the two roads in town. The Amtrak
passenger trains Lake Shore Limited
and Vermonter
pass through Palmer, but the town does not have a station stop.
The Palmer Union Station is now home to the Steaming Tender Restaurant.
Hampden County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2004, there were 461,228 people, 175,288 households, and 115,690 families residing in the county. The population density was 738 people per square mile . There were 185,876 housing units at an average density of 301 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 12,140 as of 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...
. Although known as a town, Palmer adopted a home rule charter in 2004 with a council-manager form of government and is considered a city under Massachusetts law.
The communities of Bondsville
Bondsville, Massachusetts
Bondsville is a village and former census-designated place located primarily in the town of Palmer in Hampden County in the western part of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. The CDP boundaries extend slightly into the adjacent town of Belchertown in Hampshire County. The population of the CDP was...
, Thorndike, Depot Village
Palmer (CDP), Massachusetts
Palmer is a former census-designated place in the town of Palmer in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,900 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area is more commonly known as Depot Village, named for the...
, and Three Rivers
Three Rivers, Massachusetts
Three Rivers is a village and former census-designated place in the town of Palmer in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area...
are located in the town.
History
Palmer is composed of four separate and distinct villages: Depot Village (named for the ornate Union StationUnion Station (Palmer, Massachusetts)
Union Station is a historic station at Depot Street in Palmer, Massachusetts. It was originally designed by American architect H. H. Richardson in 1883 and was one of the largest in his series of Northeastern railroad stations...
railroad terminal designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson
Henry Hobson Richardson
Henry Hobson Richardson was a prominent American architect who designed buildings in Albany, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and other cities. The style he popularized is named for him: Richardsonian Romanesque...
), Thorndike, Three Rivers
Three Rivers, Massachusetts
Three Rivers is a village and former census-designated place in the town of Palmer in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, and Bondsville. The villages began to develop their distinctive characters in the 18th century, and by the 19th century, two rail lines and a trolley line opened the town to population growth. Today, each village has its own post office and fire stations.
Palmer's first settler was John King. He was born in Edwardstone
Edwardstone
Edwardstone is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, England. The parish contains the hamlets of Mill Green, Priory Green, Round Maple and Sherbourne Street, and the Edwardstone Woods, a Site of Special Scientific Interest...
, Suffolk, England. He built his home in 1716 on the banks of the Chicopee River. A large group of Scottish-Irish Presbyterians followed, arriving in 1727. In 1775, Massachusetts officially incorporated Palmer. Depot Village became Palmer's main commercial and business center during the late 19th century and remains so today. Palmer's industry developed in Bondsville. During the 18th century, saw and grist mills were established by the rivers. By 1825, Palmer woolen mills began to produce textiles. Subsequently, the Blanchard Scythe Factory, Wright Wire Woolen Mills, and the Holden-Fuller Woolen Mills developed major industrial capacity, and constructed large amounts of workers' housing. By 1900, Boston Duck (which made heavy cotton fabric) had over 500 employees in the town. Camp Ramah in New England
Camp Ramah in New England
--24.185.169.242 17:40, 27 November 2011 --24.185.169.242 17:40, 27 November 2011 Camp Ramah in New England , located in Palmer, Massachusetts, is one of the oldest Ramah summer camps, organized by the Jewish Conservative Movement...
is located in Palmer, and it is one of the older Ramah camps. The 20th century brought about a shift of immigrants in Palmer from those of French and Scottish origin to those of primarily Polish and French-Canadian extraction.
Future development
The New England Region of the Sports Car Club of AmericaSports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
has reached an agreement with the Town of Palmer to construct a new road course near their town. Palmer Motorsports Park
Palmer Motorsports Park
Palmer Motorsports Park is a planned motorsports park in Hampden County, Massachusetts, located at the intersection of West Ware Road and Bacon Road in the town of Palmer. The creation of the track was approved by Palmer on December 4, 2007, and as of 2009 the proposal was undergoing review by the...
will operate along a similar vein as Buttonwillow Raceway Park
Buttonwillow Raceway Park
Buttonwillow Raceway Park is a motorsports park in Kern County, California, north of the town of Buttonwillow and northwest of Bakersfield. Owned and operated by the California Sports Car Club, a region of SCCA, Buttonwillow is the "flagship" track of Cal Club, and is also the location of the...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, in that it will be owned and operated by a limited liability corporation formed by New England Region. This effort is to ensure that NER would have its own "flagship" racetrack, as the two tracks it currently uses - New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Lime Rock Park
Lime Rock Park
Lime Rock Park is a natural-terrain motorsport road racing venue located in Lime Rock, Connecticut, United States, a hamlet in the village of Lakeville, Connecticut, in the state’s northwest corner...
in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
- are heavily used by NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
. The benefits to the town would include upwards of $50,000 a year in property income taxes and increased business at local gas stations, restaurants, motels and retail stores.
As of 2011, Palmer is the site favored by Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
for a "resort style" casino. This casino would lie directly off of Palmer's exit on the Mass Pike, not far from its Main Street, where the railroad would bring additional tourists. Ironically, the Palmer Amtrak stop is scheduled, in late 2012, to be re-routed to the Central Corridor Rail Line
Central Corridor Rail Line
The Central Corridor Rail Line is a proposed passenger service route between New London, Connecticut, and Brattleboro, Vermont. A primary purpose of the proposed service is to provide a rail link between 13 colleges and universities as part of the Knowledge Corridor...
, with a southern terminus in New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
and a northern terminus in Brattleboro, Vermont
Brattleboro, Vermont
Brattleboro, originally Brattleborough, is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States, located in the southeast corner of the state, along the state line with New Hampshire. The population was 12,046 at the 2010 census...
, passing the original Mohegan Sun - so, hypothetically, one could travel door-to-door from one Mohegan Sun to the other by rail.
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 32.0 square miles (82.9 km²), of which 31.5 square miles (81.7 km²) are land and 0.5 square mile (1.3 km²) (1.53%) is water. The town is bordered by Ludlow and Wilbraham on the southwest, Belchertown on the northwest, Ware on the northeast, Warren on the east, Brimfield on the southeast, and Monson on the south.
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 12,497 people, 5,078 households, and 3,331 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 396.3 people per square mile (153.0/km²). There were 5,402 housing units at an average density of 171.3 per square mile (66.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.82% White, 0.75% Black or African American
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...
, 0.23% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.44% 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 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.23% of the population.
There were 5,078 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% 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, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,443, and the median income for a family was $49,358. Males had a median income of $35,748 versus $26,256 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 $18,664. About 5.8% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Schools
The town of Palmer is served by four schools. Old Mill Pond Elementary School serves grades K through 4, Converse Middle SchoolConverse Middle School (Massachusetts)
Converse Middle School is a public middle school located in the town of Palmer, Massachusetts.-Mission statement:The school's mission statement is listed on their website as being:...
serves grades 5 through 7, and Palmer High School
Palmer High School (Massachusetts)
Palmer High School is a public high school located in the town of Palmer, Massachusetts.-Mission statement:The school's mission statement is listed on their website as being:-Demographics and Statistics:...
serves grades 8 through 12. Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School is also located in Palmer, and serves grades 9 through 12.
Railroads
Palmer has been called the "Town of Seven Railroads". Those railroads included the Boston & Albany, Central Vermont, Boston & Maine, Ware RiverWare River
The Ware River is a river in central Massachusetts. It has two forks, the longest of which begins near Hubbardston, Massachusetts...
, Central Massachusetts
Central Massachusetts
Central Massachusetts is the geographically central region of Massachusetts. Though definitions vary, most include all of Worcester County and the northwest corner of Middlesex County. Worcester, the largest city in the area and the seat of Worcester County, is often considered the cultural capital...
, Hampden
Hampden
-Asia/Pacific:* Hampden, New Zealand , North Otago, New Zealand* Hampden Cup , Perth, Western Australia-Europe:* Hampden Park , Glasgow, Scotland* Hampden Park, Eastbourne , East Sussex, England...
, and Southern New England railroads.
Currently, the old B&A line is owned by CSX, and the old Central Vermont by New England Central Railroad
New England Central Railroad
The New England Central Railroad is a subsidiary of RailAmerica that began operations in 1995. It runs from New London, Connecticut, to Alburgh, Vermont, a distance of .-History:...
. Massachusetts Central Railroad
Massachusetts Central Railroad
The Massachusetts Central Railroad is a short line railroad in western Massachusetts, USA. It was established in 1979 to provide railroad transportation services between Palmer and South Barre on the old Right of Way of the Ware River Railroad....
interchanges with the two roads in town. The Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
passenger trains Lake Shore Limited
Lake Shore Limited
The Lake Shore Limited is a daily passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. The train runs between Chicago and Albany, NY, where it divides into two sections that provide thru-service to New York and Boston...
and Vermonter
Vermonter
Amtrak's Vermonter is a 611-mile passenger train service between St. Albans , New York City and Washington, D.C. One trip runs in each direction per day....
pass through Palmer, but the town does not have a station stop.
The Palmer Union Station is now home to the Steaming Tender Restaurant.