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Holland, MA History (courtesy of
Wikipedia)
Holland is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts,
United States. The population was 2,407 at the 2000 census.
Richard Neal, a Massachusetts congressman offered the
following history of Holland to the House on Thursday, July
16 1998.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor the town of
Holland, Massachusetts on the dedication of its new Town
Hall and the celebration of its 215th anniversary.
In 1730, the Town of Holland was settled by Joseph
Blodgett, whose descendants still live in the town today.
The Town was named after Lord Holland, an English statesman
who lobbied for independence for the American colonies. The
town was incorporated on July 5, 1783, and is rich with
history.
Holland is located in the southeast corner of Hampden
County in Western Massachusetts. The town is four square
miles in area. It contains the Quinnebaug River and the
Hamilton Reservoir, one of the largest reservoirs in
southern New England. It is nestled amongst two hill ranges,
where elevations reach up to 1,100 feet.
Throughout the years, Holland has remained an example
of the charm and beauty of the traditional New England
village. At different times, it has sustained industries
such as farming, the manufacturing of cloth, and brick
making. To this day, Holland is known most for its
recreational opportunities. There are extensive recreational
facilities at the Hamilton Reservoir, which is stocked with
trout each year by the state of Massachusetts. There is also
a park and a swimming area at the very picturesque Lake Siog.
This small town remains as alive and healthy today as it was
215 years ago.
Unfortunately, the 200-year old town hall was
destroyed in a horrendous fire in December of 1995. The new
Town Hall, which was dedicated on July 11, 1998, stands as a
testament to the courage and character of the 2,300
residents of this wonderful town. I want to acknowledge this
town and its residents as they celebrate their new Town Hall
as well as their 215th anniversary. Back to top |
