Granville, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Granville is a town
in Hampden County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 1,566 at the 2010 census
. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
, whose purchase of 6 million acres (24,281.2 km²) in western New York remains the largest real estate purchase in US history (Phelps and Gorham Purchase
). The population expanded quickly, peaking at 2100 in 1810, when it rivaled Springfield. However, perhaps due to the rocky soil, the settlers eventually migrated west, some establishing the town of Granville, Ohio
.
Many historic homes dot Route 57, the main road through town. The village center, the old center, and West Granville center, are all districts recognized by The National Register of Historic Places. Historic buildings include Granville's Old Meeting House (superb acoustics), the Stevenson house to the west of the old meeting house, the West Granville Academy, and the West Granville Church. The village center features an old fashioned country store, known for its cellar-aged cheese.
In addition to period architecture, Granville is the watershed for three reservoirs: Barkhamsted, the main source for the Hartford metropolitan district; Cobble Mountain, the main source for the city of Springfield; and Westfield, the main source for the city of Westfield, Massachusetts. Much of the land in town is owned by the various water districts. Granville also has a number of active apple orchards.
, the town has a total area of 43 square miles (111.4 km²), of which 42.2 square miles (109.3 km²) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) (1.70%) is water.
Granville is bordered on the north by Blandford and Russell, on the northeast by Westfield, on the east by Southwick, on the south by Granby, Connecticut and Hartland, Connecticut, and on the west by Tolland.
of 2000, there were 1,521 people, 556 households, and 409 families residing in the town. The population density
was 36.0 people per square mile (13.9/km²). There were 595 housing units at an average density of 14.1 per square mile (5.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.69% White, 0.26% African American, 0.20% Asian, 0.39% from other races
, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.
There were 556 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples
living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $53,148, and the median income for a family was $59,219. Males had a median income of $42,273 versus $30,380 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $22,315. About 1.8% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Hampden County
Hampden County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2004, there were 461,228 people, 175,288 households, and 115,690 families residing in the county. The population density was 738 people per square mile . There were 185,876 housing units at an average density of 301 per square mile...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,566 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan area
The Springfield Metropolitan Area is a region that is socio-economically and culturally tied to the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines the Springfield metropolitan statistical area as consisting of three counties in Western Massachusetts. As of...
.
History and Description
Granville was first settled in 1736 and was officially incorporated in 1754, after the end of the Indian wars in 1750. Early settlers could get at 100 acre (0.404686 km²) lot for free, providing they built a house and "put four acres in English hay". Perhaps the most famous resident of that era was Oliver PhelpsOliver Phelps
Oliver Phelps was born in Poquonock, Connecticut and moved to Suffield, Connecticut, where he apprenticed to a local merchant. He shortly thereafter became a tavern keeper in Granville, Massachusetts. During the Revolution he was Deputy Commissary of the Continental Army and served until the end...
, whose purchase of 6 million acres (24,281.2 km²) in western New York remains the largest real estate purchase in US history (Phelps and Gorham Purchase
Phelps and Gorham Purchase
The Phelps and Gorham Purchase was the purchase in 1788 of the pre-emptive right to some 6,000,000 acres of land in western New York State for $1,000,000 . This was all land in western New York west of Seneca Lake between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border...
). The population expanded quickly, peaking at 2100 in 1810, when it rivaled Springfield. However, perhaps due to the rocky soil, the settlers eventually migrated west, some establishing the town of Granville, Ohio
Granville, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,167 people, 1,309 households, and 888 families residing in the village. The population density was 790.4 people per square mile . There were 1,384 housing units at an average density of 345.4 per square mile...
.
Many historic homes dot Route 57, the main road through town. The village center, the old center, and West Granville center, are all districts recognized by The National Register of Historic Places. Historic buildings include Granville's Old Meeting House (superb acoustics), the Stevenson house to the west of the old meeting house, the West Granville Academy, and the West Granville Church. The village center features an old fashioned country store, known for its cellar-aged cheese.
In addition to period architecture, Granville is the watershed for three reservoirs: Barkhamsted, the main source for the Hartford metropolitan district; Cobble Mountain, the main source for the city of Springfield; and Westfield, the main source for the city of Westfield, Massachusetts. Much of the land in town is owned by the various water districts. Granville also has a number of active apple orchards.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 43 square miles (111.4 km²), of which 42.2 square miles (109.3 km²) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) (1.70%) is water.
Granville is bordered on the north by Blandford and Russell, on the northeast by Westfield, on the east by Southwick, on the south by Granby, Connecticut and Hartland, Connecticut, and on the west by Tolland.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,521 people, 556 households, and 409 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 36.0 people per square mile (13.9/km²). There were 595 housing units at an average density of 14.1 per square mile (5.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.69% White, 0.26% African American, 0.20% Asian, 0.39% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.
There were 556 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $53,148, and the median income for a family was $59,219. Males had a median income of $42,273 versus $30,380 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $22,315. About 1.8% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Library
The Granville public library began in 1894. In fiscal year 2008, the town of Granville spent 0.68% ($31,979) of its budget on its public library—some $18 per person.Points of interest
- Granville State ForestGranville State ForestGranville State Forest is a Massachusetts state park located in Granville and Tolland in the southern Berkshire Hills along the state's southern border with Connecticut. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation...
- Granville Center Historic DistrictGranville Center Historic DistrictGranville Center Historic District is a historic district on Main Road in Granville, Massachusetts.The district features Greek Revival, Queen Anne, and Federal architecture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991....
- Granville Village Historic DistrictGranville Village Historic DistrictGranville Village Historic District is a historic district roughly in the area around the junction of Maple St. and Main and Granby Rds., including part of Water Street in Granville, Massachusetts....
- West Granville Historic DistrictWest Granville Historic DistrictWest Granville Historic District is a historic district roughly on Main Road from west of Beach Hill Road to South Lane No. 2 in Granville, Massachusetts....
- Wild Cat AqueductWild Cat AqueductWild Cat Aqueduct is a tunnel carrying water for hydroelectric power in Granville, Massachusetts.The aqueduct carries water eastwards from Cobble Mountain Reservoir, located some 20 miles west of Springfield in the towns of Blandford, Granville, and Russell, Massachusetts, to a hydroelectric power...
Notable residents
- Isaac Chapman Bates (1779-1845), politician
- Lemuel HaynesLemuel HaynesLemuel Haynes was an influential African American religious leader who argued against slavery.-Early life and education:Little is known of his early life. He was born in West Hartford, Connecticut, to a reportedly Caucasian mother of some status and a man named Haynes, who was said to be "of some...
(1753-1833), African American religious leader - Daniel PenfieldDaniel PenfieldDaniel Penfield was an American merchant and Revolutionary War veteran who is best known for founding the town of Penfield, New York.-Biography:...
(1759-1840), merchant, soldier, town founder - Oliver PhelpsOliver PhelpsOliver Phelps was born in Poquonock, Connecticut and moved to Suffield, Connecticut, where he apprenticed to a local merchant. He shortly thereafter became a tavern keeper in Granville, Massachusetts. During the Revolution he was Deputy Commissary of the Continental Army and served until the end...
(1749-1809), merchant and politician - Austin ScottAustin ScottAustin Scott was the tenth President of Rutgers College , serving from 1891 to 1906.-Biography:Scott was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Jeremiah Austin Scott and Sarah Remey...
(1848-1922), historian and college president - Seward SmithSeward SmithSeward Smith was an Iowa Republican politician, lawyer, and associate justice of the Dakota Territory Supreme Court....
(1830 - 1886?), lawyer, politician, and judge - Sabrina TaverniseSabrina TaverniseSabrina Tavernise is an American journalist who is the Istanbul bureau chief of The New York Times. She previously reported for the Times from Iraq, Lebanon, and Russia....
(b. 1971), journalist
Granville Harvest Fair
Running through Columbus Day weekend in October, Granville's Harvest Fair has many yard sales.External links
- MHC Survey Reconnaissance Town Report: Granville Massachusetts Historical Commission, 1982.