Boston Road is Springfield, Massachusetts's principal commercial and retail corridor, located on the eastern edge of the city.[1] The Boston Road neighborhood, historically known as Springfield Plain,[2] is named for being a major waypoint on the Boston Post Road system.
Boston Road remains a commercial stronghold, home to the Eastfield Mall, various big-box stores, and a movie theater.
Springfield city parks, including Five Mile Pond and Loon Pond, provide places to swim, fish, boat, and picnic. The High School of Science & Technology and the controversially renovated Putnam Vocational High School are located in this neighborhood.[3]
The neighborhood also features numerous local and chain restaurants and a handful of independently owned restaurants and bars.
The area was sparsely settled until the 1890s.[4]
The first Friendly's Restaurant opened on Boston Road.[5]
After reaching the top of State Street, the Post Road continues on a plain until it reaches the Chicopee River near Indian Orchard and Ludlow, northeast of the main part of the city. This was called in the old days Springfield Plain.
42°8′19.6″N 72°30′35.8″W / 42.138778°N 72.509944°W