Around Southwick

Life around the three Congamond Lakes from 1870 to 1940 is examined in Around Southwick, a new photographic history created for the Southwick Historical Society, Inc. by its president, Patricia Odiorne. From its origin as a part of the City of Westfield to the inclusion of over one-third of its area in the State of Connecticut, the Town of Southwick, Massachusetts, has developed over the years a number of connections to neighboring communities, many of which are examined here. Early settlers in the Southwick area lived a hearty and varied lifestyle, working the land and delighting in the enjoyment of its bounty. The harvesting of ice for shipment to many large cities was a source of income for some, and numerous laborers from other countries came to the Southwick area to find work. For a time, Southwick and its environs were regarded as resort communities, providing the destination for many steamboat rides and weekend sojourns. Around Southwick chronicles the development of the area through all its early stages.