Highlands, Holyoke, Massachusetts

The Highlands is a neighborhood in Holyoke, Massachusetts located northwest of the city center, adjacent to the downtown. Originally a series of farms and estates, it was first known as Manchester Grounds, as the area's land was reportedly purchased by a company of landowners from Manchester, New Hampshire soon after Holyoke was first chartered, in 1852. However while this name persisted for much of the 19th century, these holders would default on their estates by 1856.[3] The area was further divided into new building lots in the 1870s and saw considerable development as a streetcar suburb when the Holyoke Street Railway completed an extension to the area in 1886.[4][5][6] By 1897 the neighborhood had been christened its present name for its higher elevation at the foot of the Mount Tom Range.[7] Today the neighborhood contains many historic Victorian houses and about 400 acres (160 ha) of predominantly residential zoning with some commercial development, as well as the Kennedy and Morgan Street Parks.[1][3]

Highlands
Neighborhood of Holyoke
Top to bottom: Commercial blocks on Hampden Street; examples of Victorian homes found in the Highlands
Highlands
Highlands
Highlands
Coordinates: 42°13′10″N 72°37′28″W
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CityHolyoke
Wards4, 6, 7
Precincts4B, 6B, 7A, 7B
Area
 • Total0.63 sq mi (1.6 km2)
Elevation236 ft (72 m)
ZIP code
01040
Area code(s)413
GNIS feature ID609000[2]
MACRIS IDHLY.A

References
  1. Spatial analysis of "Holyoke Neighborhoods" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 3 Jun 2016.
  2. "Highlands, Holyoke, Massachusetts". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 3 Jun 2016.
  3. "MACRIS inventory record for Highlands, Holyoke". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  4. "Holyoke's Fine Trolly System; Its Expansion From a Two-Mile Horse Car Line in 1884 to Its Present Great Proportions". Springfield, Mass. September 2, 1923. p. 37.
  5. "Holyoke". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. December 18, 1874. p. 6. The acceptance of Allyn's new streets on Manchester grounds has been postponed until spring to allow of further grading on Pearl street. Building in this section still continues quite lively...
  6. "Building Lots at Holyoke on the Manchester Grounds, at Auction [Advertisement]". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. September 1, 1874. p. 1.
  7. "Holyoke; Mayor Smith Indorsed [sic] in the Caucuses— Old Names of Suburban Villages". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston. November 14, 1897. p. 62. Many residents could not understand why 'Manchester Grounds' was not good enough for a title for the section now known as the 'Highlands.' Some of the people at the time the change was made openly declared that a small majority, who thought the latter name was a little more modern and stylish. At any rate, it is thought by all that the Highlands is both picturesque and perfectly appropriate, as this section of the city stands on much higher ground than the other portions of Holyoke, and from here may be obtained, on clear days, a pretty good view of the business portion of the city


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