Most People Don't Know That This Charming Small Town Inherited One Man's Odd Name
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published November 03, 2023
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
This charming community boasts a historic town square, meticulously preserved buildings, and lush parks… So how did it end up with the name Belchertown? Located in the heart of Hampshire County, Belchertown buzzes with the marriage of old and new. But in a state teeming with picturesque communities, it may hold the dubious honor of having the most bizarre town name in Massachusetts.
Present-day Belchertown is home to just over 15,000 residents, but archeological evidence suggests that Indigenous peoples occupied the townsite as early as 7,000 years ago. The process of European settlement began in 1716 with the sale of the Equivalent Lands, large tracts of territory that the government wanted developed by colonists.
One individual to buy up these lands was a man named Jonathan Belcher. Belcher lived a fascinating life. He inherited a thriving business from his father; one he'd develop at any cost throughout his adult life— going so far as to participate in the slave trade, a cruel practice that was already roundly criticized by many of his contemporaries.
He'd go on to become the Royal Governor of Massachusetts, bouncing back and forth between the States and London and getting embroiled in various political scandals along the way.
The land that would become Belchertown was first settled in 1731 and was officially incorporated in 1761. At that time, it was called Cold Spring. Residents later changed the name in Belcher's honor, who, for all his failures, was a significant character in early Massachusetts history.
And, bearing the town's original name, the University of Massachusetts Cold Spring Orchard Research and Education Center is an apple lover's dream. Since 1962, UMass's research has been at the cutting edge of fruit production nationwide, developing delicious cultivars and innovating new farming techniques. Best of all, visitors are welcome. Explore the seasonal u-pick, or peruse what's offered by the farm stand.
In Belchertown proper, be sure to visit the beautifully preserved historic district. Most impressive, in my opinion, is the Clapp Memorial Library, built in 1887 through the efforts of Belchertown resident John Francis Clapp. Save time to marvel at the remarkable stained glass windows inside, made from sand and silica sourced locally in Western Massachusetts.
It may have the most bizarre town name in Massachusetts, but Belchertown is a vibrant place worth exploring. A weekend stay may just give you enough time to pull back the layers of this charming New England community.
