Lake Massasoit in the winter of 1956

In 1809, Lake Massasoit was formed by the army by damming the Mill River. The purpose of the dam was to ensure a constant flow of water downstream for the Springfield Armory “Watershops.” The Springfield Armory was America’s first and last National Armory, formed in 1777 and continuing production up until 1968. The formerly named Watershops Pond has 7 miles of shoreline and covers 186 acres. From 1892-1900, the buildings of Springfield College began to come about, and the name was changed to Lake Massasoit by Springfield College officials. The name came from a local hotel, the Massasoit House, owned by Marvin Chapin, a generous benefactor of the college. In 1920, the college purchased a large area of land on the upper end of the pond, and called it the “Freshman Camp.” Since the college was formed, students, faculty and visitors have used the Pond for sailing, swimming, ice skating and fishing. However, the lake was officially closed for swimming in 1984 when the lake was said to be unhealthy.

This photograph shows Springfield's Lake Massasoit in the winter of 1956. Parts of the lake appear to be frozen, and there is snow on areas of the ground surrounding the lake. The photograph also shows the low water level of the lake at that time. A 1956 flood caused the pond to be drained for the second time since 1954, decreasing the pond water level by 4 feet from the previous height as shown in the picture.