North End, Springfield, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
The North End of Springfield, Massachusetts
is a name that describes three distinct Springfield neighborhoods: Brightwood
, Memorial Square
, and Liberty Heights
. For more than a century, Springfield's North End neighborhood has served as a first home for some of the city's various immigrant communities, from Greeks in Memorial Square to Russians in Liberty Heights. As of 2011, the contemporary Puerto Rican
flavor of the North End is evident in numerous banners depicting traditional Carnival masks and the coquí, Puerto Rico's unofficial mascot.
As of 2011, the North End is dominated by Massachusetts' third largest employer, Baystate Health
. Approximately ten years ago, the North End was considered one of Springfield's most dangerous neighborhoods; however, that perception has changed as Baystate Health has continued to expand - currently, with a $300 million addition called "The Hospital of the Future, which will add 550 new doctors - and from 1990-2006, Springfield's Latino community's buying power has increased over 295%. Additionally, unlike in other Northeastern cities, Springfield has been fortunate in that rather than leaving the area once adequate buying power is achieved, (as has happened in many areas of California, for example,) Springfield's Latino residents have chosen to stay - and even to further increase. These trends bode extremely well for the economic and cultural future of Springfield.
Many festivals occur in the North End throughout the year. For example, during Easter
, residents of the North End stage a Passion Play
, depicting what happened to Jesus Christ during the last 30 hours of his life.
In the summer of 2011, Main Street in Springfield's North End is scheduled to receive $3.6 million in streetlight and walkway improvements. http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/springfield_plans_36_million_m.html
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...
is a name that describes three distinct Springfield neighborhoods: Brightwood
Brightwood, Springfield, Massachusetts
The Brightwood neighborhood of Springfield, Massachusetts is located in the northwest corner of the city, along the Connecticut River; however, it is separated from the rest of Springfield by the Interstate 91 elevated highway...
, Memorial Square
Memorial Square, Springfield, Massachusetts
Memorial Square is a neighborhood located in the northwest corner of Springfield, Massachusetts. Memorial Square is geographically one of the smallest of the city's seventeen neighborhoods. It contains 274 acres, plus street and railroads...
, and Liberty Heights
Liberty Heights, Springfield, Massachusetts
The Liberty Heights neighborhood comprises smaller Springfield, Massachusetts neighborhoods including Hungry Hill, Lower Liberty Heights, and Atwater Park and is located in the northwest quadrant of the city, beginning about one mile north of Springfield's Metro Center. It contains 1,384 acres,...
. For more than a century, Springfield's North End neighborhood has served as a first home for some of the city's various immigrant communities, from Greeks in Memorial Square to Russians in Liberty Heights. As of 2011, the contemporary Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
flavor of the North End is evident in numerous banners depicting traditional Carnival masks and the coquí, Puerto Rico's unofficial mascot.
As of 2011, the North End is dominated by Massachusetts' third largest employer, Baystate Health
Baystate Health
Baystate Health is a not-for-profit health care system headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts, serving Western Massachusetts and the Knowledge Corridor Region of Massachusetts and Connecticut. The system has 4 hospitals, over 80 medical practices, and 25 reference laboratories...
. Approximately ten years ago, the North End was considered one of Springfield's most dangerous neighborhoods; however, that perception has changed as Baystate Health has continued to expand - currently, with a $300 million addition called "The Hospital of the Future, which will add 550 new doctors - and from 1990-2006, Springfield's Latino community's buying power has increased over 295%. Additionally, unlike in other Northeastern cities, Springfield has been fortunate in that rather than leaving the area once adequate buying power is achieved, (as has happened in many areas of California, for example,) Springfield's Latino residents have chosen to stay - and even to further increase. These trends bode extremely well for the economic and cultural future of Springfield.
Many festivals occur in the North End throughout the year. For example, during Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
, residents of the North End stage a Passion Play
Passion play
A Passion play is a dramatic presentation depicting the Passion of Jesus Christ: his trial, suffering and death. It is a traditional part of Lent in several Christian denominations, particularly in Catholic tradition....
, depicting what happened to Jesus Christ during the last 30 hours of his life.
In the summer of 2011, Main Street in Springfield's North End is scheduled to receive $3.6 million in streetlight and walkway improvements. http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/springfield_plans_36_million_m.html