The Grassy Glen and Dale

The Glendale neighborhood has always held a special place in the history of the Town of Wilbraham, even before Reverend Haskell gave it the name Glendale in 1867. Primarily agricultural, the area was also home to several small granite quarries operated by local family farms. Many of the homes in this region used locally sourced granite for their foundations, reflecting the industrious spirit of its early residents.

Glendale Church, circa 1914 (Wilbraham Public Library)

Glendale also played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad. In 1833, the American Anti-Slavery Society was founded, and Wilbraham became an active participant in this movement. Fleeing slaves often traveled eastward from Springfield or northward from Connecticut, seeking refuge in the wooded hills and ravines of Glendale—modern-day Wilbraham and Hampden. These natural features provided excellent hiding places and made the area a key route on the journey to freedom.

John Calkins, a shoemaker living in South Wilbraham (present-day Ames Road in Hampden), and his wife, Lucia Day Calkins, were prominent leaders in the local abolitionist efforts. John introduced his neighbors to The Liberator, a radical abolitionist newspaper published in Boston from 1831 to 1865. This influential weekly, spanning four pages, was the most significant abolitionist publication in the United States during the 19th century. Together, the Calkins family and their community provided vital support to the cause of freedom.

Glendale, described by Chauncey Peck as “its grassy glen and dale,” boasts a serene and historic charm. The earliest recorded burial in Glendale Cemetery occurred in 1787, with the interment of Caleb Stebbins, Jr. Initially established as a Baptist burial ground for parishioners of the First Baptist Church at Colton Hollow in Monson, the cemetery reflects the area's deep historical roots and enduring legacy.

In the southeast corner—the oldest section of the cemetery—several unmarked pieces of red sandstone can be found. These markers, worn and weathered by time, may signify the graves of hunters and trappers from an earlier era, adding an air of mystery to the history of the Glendale neighborhood.

In 1868, a meetinghouse was constructed at a cost of $2,000, and by 1869, the Glendale Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church was established. A Sunday school was organized, and Roderick Burt, a Wilbraham resident and bookseller, helped set up a library using books that had previously been stored in a cupboard at the School District No. 7 Schoolhouse.

During this time, when churches faced financial challenges, cemeteries often relied on state legislative support for maintenance. Just before the Great Depression, the Massachusetts legislature enacted a rule requiring cities and towns to accept and maintain cemeteries if a church and its burial ground became separated or if a church could no longer afford upkeep. This mandate, outlined in Chapter 114 of the Massachusetts General Laws, remains in effect today.

According to Merrick’s History of Wilbraham, “the church in the center of Wilbraham was considered forgetful of affairs over the mountain.” As a result, in 1876, the Town of Wilbraham took control of Glendale Cemetery, along with East Wilbraham and Adams Cemeteries. Today, these cemeteries are managed with care by the town’s three-member Board of Cemetery Commissioners, ensuring their preservation and upkeep for future generations.

On June 20, 1913 – the 150th anniversary of the town’s incorporation, Glendale’s Civil War veterans, who served during Wilbraham’s centennial, dedicated a massive graveyard boulder at Glendale Cemetery. The stone frames the bronze engraved names of their fallen comrades and early war heroes of the French and Indian and Revolutionary wars. The children of District No.7 sang and there was a reenactment according to Peck of “old slaves, who, just as they were about to be seized by their masters, were rescued by Glendale people and borne away in safety…Glendale was said to be a famous Underground Railroad station.” 

The significance of the Glendale community was made clear during Wilbraham’s 150th-anniversary celebration in 1913. This three-day event highlighted the town’s rich history, with festivities held in Wilbraham Center on the first day, North Wilbraham on the second, and Glendale on the third.

Memorial Boulder at Glendale Cemetery, 1913. (Wilbraham Public Library)

The unveiling of the boulder was marked by a poignant ceremony. A company of Civil War veterans dramatically lifted the Stars and Stripes flag from the monument, while the children of School District No. 7 sang patriotic songs.

Pageant at Glendale, 150th anniversary of Wilbraham (Wilbraham Public Library)