Boston Road, Springfield, Massachusetts Explained

Boston Road is Springfield, Massachusetts's principal commercial and retail corridor, located on the eastern edge of the city.^[1] The Boston Road neighborhood, historically known as Springfield Plain,^[2] is named for being a major waypoint on the Boston Post Road system.

Neighborhood

Boston Road remains a commercial stronghold, home to the Eastfield Mall, various big-box stores, and a movie theater.

Springfield city parks, including Five Mile Pond and Loon Pond, provide places to swim, fish, boat, and picnic. The High School of Science & Technology and the controversially renovated Putnam Vocational High School are located in this neighborhood.^[3]

The neighborhood also features numerous local and chain restaurants and a handful of independently owned restaurants and bars.

History

The area was sparsely settled until the 1890s.^[4]

The first Friendly's Restaurant opened on Boston Road.^[5]

References

42.1388°N -72.5099°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Boston Road Neighborhood Profile . 30 January 2023 . www.springfield-ma.gov.
2. Book: Jenkins, Stephen . 1913 . The Old Boston Post Road . After reaching the top of State Street, the Post Road continues on a plain until it reaches the Chicopee River near Indian Orchard and Ludlow, northeast of the main part of the city. This was called in the old days Springfield Plain. . New York . G.P. Putnam's Sons . 304 .
3. Web site: City of Springfield, Mass.: Boston Road . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719161927/http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/planning/neighborhood-boston-rd.0.html . 2011-07-19 . 2011-04-25 . Springfield City Hall.
4. News: Strahan . Derek . 2020-12-18 . Boston Road from Coleman Street, Springfield, Mass . en-US . Lost New England . 2023-01-30.
5. News: Strahan . Derek . 2016-03-26 . First Friendly's Restaurant, Springfield, Mass . en-US . Lost New England . 2023-01-30.