In 1635, William Pynchon (1590-1662), founder of Roxbury, Massachusetts, received permission from the General Court to establish a settlement on the Connecticut River. The initial settlement began in 1636 on the river’s west side near the mouth of the Agawam River, but soon relocated to the east bank.

Originally called Agawam, and part of the Connecticut Colony until 1638, the settlement was recognized by the Massachusetts General Court as Springfield in 1641. The lands in the original town encompassed all or part of what are today Westfield, Southwick, West Springfield, Wilbraham, Ludlow, and Longmeadow in Massachusetts, and Enfield, Somers, and Suffield in Connecticut. The town was attacked in 1675 during Metacom’s (King Philip’s) War (1675-1676) and suffered considerable destruction of property.

During the American Revolution (1775-1783), because of its location, Springfield became a recruiting post and rendezvous for soldiers. In 1777, the Continental Congress established an arsenal at Springfield, and after the American Revolution, during Shays’ Rebellion (1786-1787), the heavy artillery stored at the arsenal kept a small army of Massachusetts men from capturing it. The arsenal became a national armory in 1794, operated until 1968, and is now a national historic site.

During the 19th century, Springfield continued to grow in economic and political importance. It became the manufacturing and commercial center of western Massachusetts. River commerce helped make it prosperous, and the arrival of the railroad in 1839 made it an important transportation center. In 1812, it became the seat of the newly formed Hampden County and became a city in 1852.

Springfield is perhaps best known for being the birthplace of basketball. Local physical education teacher James Naismith created the game to fill the gap between football and baseball seasons, and the city is now home to the Basketball Hall of Fame.