On June 10, 1914 the Massachusetts Governor David I. Walsh signed the Bill that changed the boundary of Longmeadow, MA. Franconia had been a little hamlet that had been located in the northeast corner of Longmeadow. As of that day in June Franconia became part of Springfield, MA.
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| Springfield Union June 10, 1914 (Click to enlarge.) |
There were very few houses in this area that was known as Franconia. For that reason there were not many children. The few school age children that lived here attended schools in Springfield. The Springfield schools were much closer to them. The town of Longmeadow paid Springfield to educate these students.
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| Longmeadow School Committee Report 1894-1895 (Click to enlarge) |
The residents of this area did not enjoy other conveniences other residents of Longmeadow had. As time went on these residents wanted better roads, water and sewer connections. Their children attended schools in Springfield and they lived closer to other residents in Springfield than in Longmeadow. They were interested in being part of Springfield.
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| Springfield Republican Jan. 23, 1914 (Click to enlarge.) |
Attorney John Aldrich represented the Franconia residents when they petitioned the State Legislature to become part of Springfield, MA. The Bill was passed and Gov. David I. Walsh signed it on June 10, 1914. According to the 1915 Longmeadow Annual Town Report there were 802 acres of land and about 33 houses in Franconia when the separation took place
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| 1915 Longmeadow Annual Town Report |
Shown below is a 1920 map of Longmeadow/ Springfield showing the section of Longmeadow (Franconia) that became part of Springfield in 1914.
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| 1920 Map of Longmeadow/ Springfield Franconia section is outlined in yellow (Click map to enlarge) |
Written by Judy and Jim Moran
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