George Washington Memorial Highway - 200 Years - Palmer, MA - Commercial Commemorations on Waymarking.com

In 1932 the country celebrated the bicentennial of Washington's birth. The route Washington took twice through New England was named the George Washington Memorial Highway and several monuments were placed along his route. This one is in Palmer.

Washington traveled north from Hartford, crossed from Connecticut into Massachusetts and down Agawam’s Main Street twice, On June 30, 1775, Washington traveled through Agawam while en-route to Cambridge to take command of the Continental Army. Fourteen years later, as President, Washington passed through again on October 21, 1789, en-route to Boston while visiting New England. His route took him north ,passing through Main St. in Agawam and crossing the Westfield River into West Springfield. General Washington forded the Westfield River in horseback into West Springfield. President Washington rode in a coach across the new bridge across the river. In the 1700's the ferry crossing the Connecticut River left from what is now the Town of West Springfield and landed in Springfield where travelers could take the Boston Post Road through Palmer and on to Boston.

Several monuments were placed along the route. Each contains a similar plaque containing the bust of George Washington, in profile, and an inscription.