Sixteen Acres Branch Library

Sixteen Acres is a neighborhood in Springfield, Massachusetts. Much of the neighborhood was constructed after World War II and is suburban in character.[1] Unlike what its name might suggest, the neighborhood covers 4,506 acres.[2]

Neighborhood

Sixteen Acres includes Western New England University,[2] the SABIS International High School, Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, and the 18-hole, Veterans Memorial Golf Course.[1] Besides streets of newer ranches, colonials, split-levels, and capes, the neighborhood has large condominium complexes on Nassau Drive.

Sixteen Acres also features the 28-acre (11 ha) Greenleaf Park,[3] Greenleaf community center,[2] a branch library,[2][4] and two private beach clubs (Bass Pond and the Paddle Club). Commercial clusters on Wilbraham Road and Allen Street provide shopping.

Sixteen Acres residents have a quick drive to East Longmeadow's employers, such as Hasbro and American Saw, as well as a short drive up Parker Street to the Massachusetts Turnpike.

History

In the early 1900s Theodore Granger (after whom Granger Street is named) bought a parcel of land which was 16 acres in size in pursuit of his dream to become a farmer.[2] His skills at farming were less than his skills as a carpenter and the farm did not thrive but parcels of land were given to family members and also sold.

The residents of the area were largely isolated from the rest of Springfield, as no public transportation served the area.[5]

The area remained largely rural until after World War ll.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Sixteen Acres, 01118, 01119, 01128, 01129 - Choose Springfield, Massachusetts".
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Kelly, Ray (2015-04-14). "Vintage photos of Springfield neighborhoods: Sixteen Acres". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Patrick (2022-07-01). "Springfield receives $1 million grant for renovating Greenleaf Park in Sixteen Acres". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  4. ↑ "Sixteen Acres Branch". Springfield City Library. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  5. 1 2 Dobbs, G. Michael (2017-06-15). "Book tells the story of one Springfield neighborhood". Reminder Publications. Retrieved 2023-01-30.

42°6′56.0″N 72°31′11.0″W / 42.115556°N 72.519722°W / 42.115556; -72.519722

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