CHICOPEE, a city of Hampden county, Mass., U.S.A., just north of Springfield, on the east bank of the Connecticut river at the mouth of the Chicopee, and served by the Boston and Maine Railroad. It has an area of 22.9sq.m., and includes five villages: Chicopee Center, Chicopee Falls, Willimansett, Fairview and Aldenville. The population in 1920 was 36,214, of whom 12,182 were foreign-born white (4,669 from Poland) ; in 1930 (Federal census) 43,930. The Chicopee falls loft. here in less than 3m., furnishing power for numerous factories, which in 1925 had an output valued at $87,057,326. There are two large cotton-mills ( 7,000 employees) . Among the other leading manufactures are firearms, swords, automobiles and tyres, agricultural implements, gymnasium apparatus, and lodge regalia. The assessed valuation of property in 1927 was $52,000,000.
Chicopee was settled about 1638; was set off from Springfield as an independent town in 1848; and was chartered as a city in 1890. The name is an Indian word meaning "cedar tree" or "birchbark place." Chicopee Falls was the home of Edward Bellamy. The bronze-casting industry (not now carried on) was founded there by Nathan Peabody Ames a sword maker, who in 1836 began the manufacture of cannon-balls and church bells. Some of the finest bronze work in the country has been done here including the doors of the National Capitol.