St. George Parish History
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Mass
immigration did not happen until the early 1800's, when the Industrial
Revolution took place. Because of the abundant water power, mills and factories
sprang up in Chicopee Falls and in Cabotville, Chicopee Center. The first
business venture in The Falls was an iron works owned by James Byers and William
Smith, which later became the Belcher Iron Works. The Boston & Springfield
Manufacturing Company, whose name changed to the Chicopee Manufacturing Company,
erected cotton mills and boarding houses along the river in the Facemate area.
Soon the Cabot, Perkins and Dwight mills were built. A metal products company
was organized under the name Ames Metal Works at the Lavalee & Ide location.
The Ames swords used by the military were the finest in the country.
By
1845, Chicopee Falls was known as the "Factory Village". In that year
Thomas Wright and Joshua Stevens founded the J.Stevens Arms Company which
produced the famous Maynard rifle. The Springfield Canal Company under the
direction of John Chase built canals and laid out streets, mostly in the
Cabotville area so much so that John Chase became known as the "Father of
Cabotville".
This
industrial explosion provided jobs for the textile and factory workers as well
as for the canal and street builders. People began to come from everywhere
looking for work. And, thus, the immigration to the Chicopee area began.
A
history of Chicopee would not be complete without mentioning Rufus Bellamy, who
served as the Baptist minister in Chicopee Falls for many years.
His sons, Edward and Charles, founded the Springfield Daily News in 1880. The
Bellamy homestead on Church Street is a National Historic Landmark.
This history reprinted from the St. George Parish Centennial Album .
acknowledgments
Stephen Jendrysik whose knowledge of Chicopee History was invaluable. Father Ronald Lussier, and Joyce Morissette who spent nearly a year finding information, compiling, and typing to put this history together. Also to all that sent articles, pictures and information that help put this amazing history in print.
Photo credits to Keneth Kostek for centennial photos