Westfield, Massachusetts
Hampden county. This is a place of singular beauty, on Westfield river. It lies in a valley or basin of about 4 miles in diameter, surrounded by high hills, and is supposed to have been the bed of a lake whose waters burst the Mount Tom range of mountains and discharged itself into Connecticut river.
The Hampshire and Hampden canal passes through this town, and promises great advantages to its trade and hydraulic power.
About a third part of the population of the village is engaged in making whips. The annual amount of that article manufactured here is about $160,000. There are also three powder mills in the town, and manufactures of tin ware, ploughs, boots, shoes, leather, cigars, palm-leaf hats, chairs, cabinet and wooden wares: total annual value, about $250,000.
The Westfield academy is in high standing: it has considerable funds, and its annual number of scholars is about 400.
Westfield was first settled in 1659. Incorporated in 1669. It lies 99 miles W.S.W. from Boston, 9 W. by N. from Springfield, and 16 S. by W. from Northampton.
