Boston Road is Springfield, Massachusetts's principal commercial and retail corridor, located on the eastern edge of the city.[1] The Boston Road neighborhood, historically known as Springfield Plain,[2] is named for being a major waypoint on the Boston Post Road system.

Neighborhood

Boston Road remains a commercial stronghold, home to the Eastfield Mall, various big-box stores, and a movie theater.

Springfield city parks, including Five Mile Pond and Loon Pond, provide places to swim, fish, boat, and picnic. The High School of Science & Technology and the controversially renovated Putnam Vocational High School are located in this neighborhood.[3]

The neighborhood also features numerous local and chain restaurants and a handful of independently owned restaurants and bars.

History

The area was sparsely settled until the 1890s.[4]

The first Friendly's Restaurant opened on Boston Road.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Boston Road Neighborhood Profile" (PDF). www.springfield-ma.gov. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  2. ^ Jenkins, Stephen (1913). The Old Boston Post Road. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. p. 304. After reaching the top of State Street, the Post Road continues on a plain until it reaches the Chicopee River near Indian Orchard and Ludlow, northeast of the main part of the city. This was called in the old days Springfield Plain.
  3. ^ "City of Springfield, Mass.: Boston Road". Springfield City Hall. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
  4. ^ Strahan, Derek (2020-12-18). "Boston Road from Coleman Street, Springfield, Mass". Lost New England. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  5. ^ Strahan, Derek (2016-03-26). "First Friendly's Restaurant, Springfield, Mass". Lost New England. Retrieved 2023-01-30.

42°8′19.6″N 72°30′35.8″W / 42.138778°N 72.509944°W / 42.138778; -72.509944

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