# Chester, Massachusetts

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chester,_Massachusetts
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chester,_Massachusetts.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester%2C_Massachusetts
> Source revision: 1345772027
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Chester** is a [town](/source/New_England_town) in [Hampden County, Massachusetts](/source/Hampden_County,_Massachusetts), United States, situated in [Western Massachusetts](/source/Western_Massachusetts). It is part of the [Springfield](/source/Springfield,_Massachusetts) [metropolitan statistical area](/source/Springfield_metropolitan_area,_Massachusetts). The town includes the [Chester Factory Village Historic District](/source/Chester_Factory_Village_Historic_District). The total population was 1,228 in the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census).[1]

## History

Most of what is now the towns of [Huntington](/source/Huntington,_Massachusetts) and Chester were sold at auction (along with other parcels) on June 2, 1762, as Plantation Number 9, to William Williams for £1,500.[2] It was incorporated as Murrayfield by the Massachusetts General Court on October 31, 1765. The town’s name was often confused with that of nearby Myrifield, also spelled “Merryfield” (now [Rowe, Massachusetts](/source/Rowe,_Massachusetts)) so the town petitioned the General Court to change its name to “Fairfield”. The General Court chose the name “Chester” instead and passed the act to change its name on February 21, 1783.[3]

The Western Railroad (later [Boston & Albany Railroad](/source/Boston_%26_Albany_Railroad)) opened to Chester on May 24, 1841.[4] In 1893 the [collapse of a railroad bridge in Chester](/source/Chester_disaster) killed 14 people.[5]

## Geography

Set on the eastern edge of the [Berkshires](/source/Berkshires), Chester forms the northwestern corner of [Hampden County](/source/Hampden_County,_Massachusetts). It is bordered by [Huntington](/source/Huntington,_Massachusetts) on the east, [Worthington](/source/Worthington,_Massachusetts) and [Middlefield](/source/Middlefield,_Massachusetts) on the north, [Becket](/source/Becket,_Massachusetts) on the west, and [Blandford](/source/Blandford,_Massachusetts) on the south. Chester is 21 miles (34 km) southeast of [Pittsfield](/source/Pittsfield,_Massachusetts), 30 miles (48 km) northwest of [Springfield](/source/Springfield,_Massachusetts), 115 miles (185 km) west of [Boston](/source/Boston), 60 miles (97 km) southeast of [Albany, New York](/source/Albany,_New_York), and 150 miles (240 km) northeast of [New York City](/source/New_York_City).

According to the [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau), the town has a total area of 37.2 sq mi (96.3 square kilometres), of which 36.6 sq mi (94.8 square kilometres) are land and 0.58 sq mi (1.5 square kilometres), or 1.56%, are water.[6] It is drained by tributaries of the [Westfield River](/source/Westfield_River). Many brooks flow into the [Westfield](/source/Westfield_River) throughout Chester. The [West Branch of the Westfield](/source/West_Branch_Westfield_River) flows through the western and southern parts of town and passes through the [village of Chester](/source/Chester_(CDP),_Massachusetts), while the Middle Branch flows through the northern and eastern parts of the town, passing through the villages of North Chester and Dayville. The small village of Chester Center occupies high ground between the two river branches. [U.S. Route 20](/source/U.S._Route_20_in_Massachusetts) follows the West Branch from the southeastern corner of the town to Chester village, then turns west up the valley of [Walker Brook](/source/Walker_Brook_(Massachusetts)) on its way to the town of Becket.

## Temperature records

On August 2, 1975, the temperature in Chester rose to 107 °F (42 °C). This remains the hottest temperature ever recorded in the state of Massachusetts, along with a similar reading in [New Bedford](/source/New_Bedford,_Massachusetts) on the same day. On January 12, 1981, the temperature at Chester fell to −35 °F (−37 °C), the coldest temperature ever recorded in Massachusetts. Thus, Chester is only one of three places in the United States which has recorded both of its state's [extreme temperatures](/source/U.S._state_temperature_extremes), the others being [Millsboro, Delaware](/source/Millsboro,_Delaware), and [Warsaw, Missouri](/source/Warsaw,_Missouri).[7][8]

## Demographics

Historical population Year Pop. ±% 1850 1,521 — 1860 1,314 −13.6% 1870 1,253 −4.6% 1880 1,473 +17.6% 1890 1,295 −12.1% 1900 1,450 +12.0% 1910 1,377 −5.0% 1920 1,302 −5.4% 1930 1,464 +12.4% 1940 1,284 −12.3% 1950 1,292 +0.6% 1960 1,155 −10.6% 1970 1,025 −11.3% 1980 1,123 +9.6% 1990 1,280 +14.0% 2000 1,308 +2.2% 2010 1,337 +2.2% 2020 1,228 −8.2% 2022 1,220 −0.7%

[9]

As of the [census](/source/Census)[10] of 2000, there were 1,308 people, 500 households, and 360 families residing in the town. The population density was 35.6 inhabitants per square mile (13.7 /km2). There were 580 housing units at an average density of 15.8 inhabitants per square mile (6.1 /km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.24% [White](/source/White_(U.S._Census)), 0.15% [African American](/source/African_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.46% [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.08% [Asian](/source/Asian_(U.S._Census)), 0.31% from [other races](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), and 0.76% from two or more races. [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) of any race were 1.30% of the population.

There were 500 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were [married couples](/source/Marriage) living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,816, and the median income for a family was $51,932. Males had a median income of $38,083 versus $25,789 for females. The [per capita income](/source/Per_capita_income) for the town was $18,098. About 2.9% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the [poverty line](/source/Poverty_line), including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

## Library

The Chester public library was established in 1894.[11][12] In fiscal year 2008, the town of Chester spent 1.04% ($28,512) of its budget on its public library—some $22 per person.[13]

## Theater

Chester is home to [Chester Theatre Company](/source/Chester_Theatre_Company), a professional summer theater founded in 1990.[14]

## Notable people

- [Rowland Day](/source/Rowland_Day), congressman
- [Capt. David Shepard](/source/David_Shepard_(surgeon)), American doctor and soldier; an early proponent of inoculation to prevent smallpox

## See also

- [Gateway Regional School District (Massachusetts)](/source/Gateway_Regional_School_District_(Massachusetts))

## References

1. ["Census - Geography Profile: Chester town, Hampden County, Massachusetts"](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US2501313485). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved November 13, 2021.

1. Rev. J. H. Bisbee (December 1876). ["History of Huntington"](https://www.huntingtonma.us/media/566)

1. Copeland, Alfred M. 1892. A History of the Town of Murrayfield, Earlier Known as Township No. 9, and Comprising the Towns of Chester and Huntington, the Northern Part of Montgomery, and the Southeast Corner of Middlefield 1760-1783. Clark W. Bryan & Co. Springfield, Massachusetts. Page 142

1. [Exploring Western Massachusetts -- History of Chester](https://explorewmass.blogspot.com/2010/02/map-birds-eye-view-of-chester.html)

1. "List of Dead Numbers 14". *The Boston Daily Globe*. September 4, 1893.

1. ["Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Chester town, Hampden County, Massachusetts"](https://archive.today/20200213161423/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US2501313485). *American Factfinder*. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from [the original](https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US2501313485) on February 13, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2017.

1. ["Record Highest Temperatures by State"](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pub/data/special/maxtemps.pdf). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 20, 2013.

1. ["Record Lowest Temperatures by State"](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pub/data/special/mintemps.pdf). National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved June 20, 2013.

1. ["City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022"](https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved November 23, 2023.

1. ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved January 31, 2008.

1. Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. [v.9](https://books.google.com/books?id=gbUYAQAAIAAJ) (1899)

1. ["Hamilton Memorial Library"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101027170647/http://www.townofchester.net/chestermass/id16.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.townofchester.net/chestermass/id16.html) on October 27, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010

1. July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What's Your Share? Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009. Available: [Municipal Pie Reports](http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120123010127/http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php) January 23, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 4, 2010

1. ["Vincent Dowling, 83; Irish actor, director cofounded Chester Theatre Company"](https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/05/16/vincent-dowling-irish-actor-director-cofounded-chester-theatre-company/2uHMrE6KwmwxYcvcbvEsKO/story.html). *The Boston Globe*. Retrieved May 30, 2017.

- *Chester Folks: The Founders of the Town, Their Ancestors and Descendants*. Compiled by William S. Mills, 1923; Edited by Charles B. Moore, 1996. Available from the [Chester Historical Society](https://web.archive.org/web/20060711031315/http://www.chestermass.com/Chester_Historical_Society/chester_historical_society.html)
- [Chester, MA](https://web.archive.org/web/20070311022212/http://www.mass.info/chester.ma/description.htm) by Narrative compiled by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), at MassOnline

## Further reading

- [*MHC Reconnaissance Survey Town Report: Chester*](https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/mhc/preservation/survey/town-reports/cht.pdf). Massachusetts Historical Commission. 1982.

## External links

- [Town of Chester official website](http://townofchester.net/)
- [Chester Historical Society](https://www.chestermass.com/)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chester, Massachusetts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester%2C_Massachusetts) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester%2C_Massachusetts?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.