First Settled in 1716
John King and his family first settled in Palmer and created a farming community between the Quabog, Ware, and Swift rivers
History of Palmer
Known as "The Town of Seven Railroads," the Town of Palmer is a medium sized town covering an area of 31.53 square miles with approximately 115 miles of public roads. Founded in 1746, the town is comprised of four separate and distinct villages; Depot Village, Thorndike, Three Rivers, and Bondsville. It has a very irregular form that is dominated by four major river courses, namely, the Quaboag, the Ware and the Swift, which join together to form the headwaters of the Chicopee River in the Village of Three Rivers. Multiple hills are scattered throughout the area, and the valley plains along the riverbanks are the most populated areas for both industry and farming as well as residential living. Palmer has a long history supporting industry with its proximity to the rivers, implementation of railroad systems, and mills in each district. Present day, Town of Palmer is a premier location for economic and community development in Western Massachusetts thanks to its interchange with the Massachusetts Turnpike, intersection with commercial train lines and proximity to the Five College Area.
Please note, our Historical Commission is working to help us expand this timeline!
1727
A relatively large group of Scotch-Irish Presbyterians joined the King family and created "The Elbow Plantation." It now took on the presence of a township- a position that would be denied until 1775.
1752
District Status was granted and a formal name applied transitioning Elbow Plantation to the District of Palmer. The District of Palmer divided into the four villages- Three Rivers, Thorndike, Bondsville, and Depot Village. Three Rivers, Thorndike, Bondsville were developed as a direct outgrowth of a single large textile mill per village. Depot Village was developed as the transportation center and actively supported five railroads and two stage lines.
Today
Today, the large industries have been replaced by many smaller industrial and commercial enterprises, and the former mill villages are now, for the most part, quiet residential communities. Palmer is the most commercially active village. Although it is no longer the railroad center it once was, its network of highways reaches out to the larger metropolitan areas such as Boston, Hartford and New York City, as well as the beautiful Berkshire Hills and Atlantic seashore resorts.
As the community moves forward into the future, the town look to revive its commercial base by taking advantage of the transportation hubs provided in town. A number of opportunities have presented themselves which have the potential to be an economic boon for the community. The town will continue to build upon its commercial development opportunities while maintaining its traditional small town New England feel.