Agawam and Feeding Hills

Founded by William Pynchon in 1635, Agawam was among the earliest settlements along the Connecticut River. Located on an early Colonial road connecting Springfield with Connecticut, Agawam Center remained the hub of the town until the early 1900s. As trolleys and automobiles made travel easier, development spread west toward the village of Feeding Hills and set in motion the transformation from quiet farming community to bustling village center. Agawam and Feeding Hills captures Agawam's rich past through photographs and postcards from the 1880s to the 1950s. The book rediscovers lost Agawam landmarks, such as Randall Field and Bowles Airport, the Feeding Hills train station, the Agawam and Feeding Hills Town Halls, and the Porter Distillery, makers of nationally known Agawam Gin. It includes views by the well-known Howes brothers of Ashfield and of Agawam Center from the beginning of the twentieth century and chronicles a simpler and less hurried chapter of this town's history. The Agawam Historical Association operates the Agawam Historical & Fire House Museum from the 1918 Elm Street fire station in Agawam. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Agawam and Feeding Hills will be used by the association for the maintenance of the museum.