Although by the turn of the 20th century Greenfield, Massachusetts, was quickly becoming a regional manufacturing center, there was still enough nature within the city limits to allow for this quiet country scene. The Green River flows from Southern Vermont into Massachusetts and forms the border between Colrain and Leyden. As it emerges from the hills, it enters the floodplain of the Connecticut River and makes a number of dramatic switchbacks and loops before resuming a nearly straight run as it flows into the Connecticut. This sharp bend is probably that found along River Road on the western edge of town.