Springfield, Massachusetts

English: Springfield is a city in Massachusetts, United States, located on the Connecticut River. Springfield

Its population is approximately 160,000; however the Hartford-Springfield Knowledge Corridor Metropolitan Area features 1.9 million

Basketball was invented there, (1891,) as were the American car, (1893,) the motorcycle, (1901,) and the fire engine, (1905,) among many other inventions. It is know as "The City of Firsts."

Springfield Cityscape

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  The Memorial Bridge across the Connecticut River to Springfield's Metro Center neighborhood

Springfield sites and events

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  The Springfield Armory, founded by George Washington and Henry Knox in 1777, is now a U.S. National Park, featuring the world's largest historic firearms collection
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  A glowing basketball sculpture soars into the Springfield sky.
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  Six Flags New England sits on the Connecticut River across Springfield's South End Bridge in Agawam
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  The Big E is the 6 New England states' collective state fair. On the Avenue of the States, each of the six New England States owns its own plot of land and replica State House

Springfield tornado disaster - 06/01/11

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  National Guard and state police secure Main Street in Springfield, Massachusetts, after the 2011 Springfield Tornado.
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  Digging through wreckage after the Springfield Tornado Distaster of 2011.
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  Man and woman sitting among their devastated home in the Forest Park neighborhood, Springfield, Massachusetts
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  West Springfield and Springfield, Massachusetts experienced devastating tornado disasters on June 1, 2011.
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  The Springfield Tornado Disaster took place in cities and towns from Westfield to Charlton, spanning 39 miles.
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  Aerial view path of destruction by 2011 Springfield, Massachusetts, Tornado
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  Aerial view of houses destroyed in Springfield, Massachusetts, by the July 1, 2011 tornado
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  Springfield, Massachusetts tornado on June 1, 2011, which devastated the city and region.

"The City of Firsts"

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  Smith & Wesson, founded 1852, is headquartered in Springfield.
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  Apache Chief Geronimo (right) and his warriors in 1886 with 1883 Springfield rifles.
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  In 1901, America's first successful motorcycle was the Indian motorcycle of Springfield. This is a 1920 Indian Scout.
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  The first modern fire engine was manufactured in Springfield in 1905, by Knox Automobile. Springfield had the world's first modern fire department.
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  President William Howard Taft introduces the Springfield Municipal Group on Dec. 8, 1913, as "one of the most distinctive civic centers in the United States, and indeed the world."
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  In 1922, the United States' first commercial radio station, WBZA, operated out of the luxurious Hotel Kimball. The station's location was used as a marketing device to attract famous radio guests.

Springfielders

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  William Pynchon, founder of Springfield and author of the New World's first "banned book"
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  John Pynchon led Springfield, Massachusetts, following his father's - William Pynchon's - departure from the New World due to accusations of heresy
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  Engraving - there are no portraits - depicting Daniel Shays (left) and Job Shattuck of Shays' Rebellion
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  Charles Goodyear invented and patented vulcanized rubber in Springfield in 1844
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  Abolitionist John Brown in Springfield in 1846
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  In 1855, Springfield newspaper publisher Samuel Bowles encouraged the formation of, and then named the United States Republican Party.
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  The renowned painter James McNeill Whister (of Whistler's Mother fame) spent his youth in Springfield.
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  William Marsh Rice of Springfield founded Rice University in Houston, Texas
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  Chester Harding, the world's most famous portrait painter during the mid-1800s.
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  Milton Bradley, game-maker, inventor of numerous popular games like The Game of Life
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  Daniel Baird Wesson, one of the founders of Smith & Wesson - the world's largest private producers of firearms, located in Springfield
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  Dr. Seuss, Springfield author and illustrator
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  General Creighton W Abrams commanded operations during the Vietnam War
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  Springfield LSD activist Timothy Leary sitting between Alan Ginsburg and Dr. Lilly.
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  Taj Mahal, native Springfield musician
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  Actor Kurt Russell
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  NBA basketball player and current NBA basketball coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro