Haberman Insurance proudly serves the personal and business insurance needs of the West Springfield community. Whether you are in the market to find coverage for your business, or are a homeowner looking to protect your investment, our specialized insurance agents are here for you.
West Springfield is a special place and to live and work and we love serving the great people in this town. Below, you can find some cool background information about awesome community!
West Springfield, Massachusetts is a city in Hampden County. Also known as “West Side”, it occupies the area west of Springfield, across the Connecticut River. It covers 17.5 square miles, and has approximately 28,300 residents.
West Springfield has a variety of geographical features. In additional to the Connecticut River on the east, it is also separated from Agawam by the Westfield River to the south. On the west, there are the East Mountains, part of the Metacomet Ridge. There are a number of brooks in the city including:
Bear Hole is a wooded area covering 1,700 acres, including the Bear Hole Reservoir. Here you can find a variety of wildlife, including the Great Horned Owl and vernal pools. It is a very popular area for hiking, dog walking, and nature activities.
Many roads pass through West Springfield including Interstate 91 and the Massachusetts Turnpike. Combined with access to freight railroads, this easy access to many routes has earned the city the nickname “The Crossroads of New England.”
West Springfield was first settled in 1635, and early settlers enjoyed the rich farmlands found here. Like many Massachusetts towns of the era, the primary industry was substinence farming, along with grist and sawmills.
As part of Springfield, the residents of West Springfield were required to cross the Connecticut River to attend church and political gatherings. With no bridge, this crossing had to be done by boat, at considerable risk to passengers and cargo, especially during inclement weather. This caused the death of a young family in 1683, given renewed vigor to the petitions to develop a new parish on the west side of the river. This was finally granted by the Massachusetts General Court in 1697. However, it took until 1774 for it to become its own town, separating politically from Springfield. At that time, it encompassed Agawam and much of Holyoke, which later broke off to form their own towns.
West Springfield is home to the annual state fair known as the Big E or the Eastern States Exposition. As the largest agricultural event on the east coast, it is also the 5th largest fair in the nation. Each of the six New England states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine) are represented at this fair. Each state has its own building used to display its unique character and products.
The fair began in 1916, and has run each fall for the past 100 years, interrupted only by WWI and WWII. It was founded by Joshua L. Brooks to help promote agriculture in the area, as a response to the gradual decline the industry was facing. Today it runs for 17 days, with a midway, shopping area, concerts, and agricultural and livestock displays and competitions drawing visitors from all over the region. Visitors also delight in Storrowton Village, a 19th century replica village.
Though the Big E is the largest annual event held at the fairgrounds, the site is also used for other events throughout the year.
West Springfield, Massachusetts is a popular residential and industrial city. With a long-standing tradition of supporting agriculture, the Big E and other events bring visitors to the area to celebrate the history and future of this area.
