Still getting caught up on neglected pics from 2008. Springfield, Mass., around 150,000, is the state's 3rd largest and has had some hard economic times in city government, now with a lot of state control. But the downtown has some interesting buildings, old and new, and appears to have a decent amount of vitality.

 

Downtown skyscrapers

 

More, with an old tower

 

I forget what this tower is -- between city hall and symphony hall -- and I couldn't easily Google any info

 

Older streetscape

 

Looking north on Main

 

Beautiful Court Square, Main and Court

 

Another view

 

Old church just west of the Square, Justice Center in background

 

Tower anc city hall (near identical Symphony Hall is on the other side of the tower

 

Main Street again

 

Main

 

Again

 

Main, other direction

 

Interesting building at, I believe, Main and Worthington

 

Wider view

 

 

Naismith's (named, of course, for the father of basketball; Springfield, of course, is home to the basketball Hall of Fame, which I did not visit)

 

Old and new

 

Wall of photography-related ghost signs

 

Deco decor

 

Looking up Bridge St. to Chestnut

 

Same, closer up

 

Residential off Chestnut, just east of downtown

 

Looking back on where I was

 

not that I've ever given much thought to Springfield, MA, but it looks a lot nicer than I would have imagined!

I had no idea what to expect, and am pleasantly surprised.

I like it!

I've been to Springfield a couple of times and it's a nice, quaint town.  Certainly more interesting than THAT city a half-hour south of it.  Ugh.

Excellent photos, and a very handsome downtown!

Great tour.  I was favorably impressed with Springfield when I visited a few years back.  I missed that wall of old ads - a gem.  The tall tower is the Springfield Municipal Group Campanile (Bell/clock tower) built in 1913.  Great structure.  Thanks for the pics.

Thanks for your comments, and the tower info.

Interesting mix.

Looks ok.  Diggin' some of those historic towers though.

Impressive!

I really think Massachusetts is the most overlooked state in New England. Everyone basically sticks to the east cost with Boston, Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard, but there are plenty of interesting places if you venture out west. Makes me want to take a little road trip.

Looks great!

Bigger then I would imagine. I'll be mapping all of Mass. for work in a week or two. Thanks for sharing!