Greenfield is a town at the crossroads – both literally and figuratively. Geographically, it sits at the intersection of two major state by-ways, routes 2 and 91. And it's poised to elect the first mayor in its history, after a quarter of a century of government by Select Board. On the eve of its 250th anniversary celebration, Greenfield is looking toward its future with great anticipation.

The town that sits at the bottom of Lake Hitchcock, a glacial lake that drained about 12,500 years ago, has a rich and varied history. Originally the "Green River Settlement" of Deerfield north of the Green River proper, Greenfield gradually broke away from the control of the Deerfield authorities, primarily due to disputes between the members of the clergy over doctrine and representation. It became an independent entity in 1753 with a population (including what is now Gill) of 365.

From the beginning, the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Connecticut and Deerfield, and its abundant supply of water power, attracted artisans and manufacturers. Businesses sprang up, beginning a long period of economic diversification, commercial growth, industrial growth, and agricultural decline. The success of such companies as J. Russell Cutlery, the nation's first cutlery firm, and Lunt Silversmiths distinguished the town as a good location for industry.

In 1870, Elisa Wells and his sons Frederick and Frank, started Wells Brothers, a tap and die manufacturing business. In 1889 the brothers built a new and larger manufacturing facility between what is now Riddell and Sanderson Streets on land purchased from the farm of John Riddell and the adjoining land of John Sanderson. They continued to prosper as a partnership until 1900, when Frederick E. left to form a new pipe threading business with his son. As a side venture, Frank poured the walls of the first all-concrete hotel in New England and named it "The Weldon" (as in Wells-done). In 1912, Wells Brothers was joined to the Wiley and Russell Company to form the Greenfield Tap & Die, with Frank O. Wells as its first president. For many years, the tap and die business boomed. At the height of World War II, Greenfield Tap & Die employed more than 4000 workers, making it the largest firm of its type in the world.

By the early 1950's, though the factories were beginning their slow decline, there were still plentiful jobs and a continued demand for new housing. Construction of Interstate 91 brought with it new economic opportunities. The founding of Greenfield Community College in 1962 added another vital element to the town's development.

Greenfield's more than 20 faith communities have also played an active role in its history. One example is the Third Congregational Society, now All Souls Unitarian-Universalist, whose members were responsible for the founding of the YMCA and the library, as well as the development of the Interfaith Council and the Community Meals program. The church itself was the first home of Green Fields Market.

Today, Greenfield is a town of just over 18,000 with a happy blend of industry, service, business, agriculture, transportation and education. In general, the town is middle class, 93% white, and has a median household income of $26,680. Town resources include a thriving hospital, five elementary schools, a middle school, a high school, Greenfield Community College and organizations like the Franklin County Community Development Commission, whose community kitchen has become one of the town's recent economic successes. Culturally, Greenfield is home to the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra (see this month's Making a Difference), a public access TV station (GC-TV), and several arts organizations. The town is also distinguished by thriving businesses like the Green Fields Market co-op, The People's Pint brewpub and restaurant, the World Eye bookstore (a fine example of that vanishing breed of independent booksellers), Magical Child and Wilson's department store. It has an active folk music scene, with monthly concerts held in venues throughout town, including All Souls, St. James Church, the Turning Stone Coffee House and Koko's (a new coffeehouse that serves Dean's Beans Organic Fair Trade Coffee as well as delicious baked goods). There are also monthly contra dances at the Guiding Star Grange.

Once the county seat (Franklin County has since ceased to be a governmental entity), its appearance today shows the signs of a place that grew rapidly from agrarian settlement to industrial center. Though its lovely rural surroundings provide numerous recreational opportunities and a bucolic setting for education and culture, the downtown is in dire need of revitalization. And that will be priority one for either Christine Forgey or Ed Berlin, one of whom will become Greenfield's new mayor on Tuesday, June 10th.

In two recent mayoral debates, Forgey and Berlin grappled with the town's major problems – whether or not the position of police chief should be a civil servant job (Berlin thinks appointing the police chief will ensure the best possible candidate, Forgey favors the civil service promotion from within approach), school budget shortfalls and Greenfield's vision for the future. In the most recent matchup between the two candidates, Berlin suggested that Greenfield might become "the Greenest Town in America," concentrating on attracting green businesses with fair labor practices. To many, that seems an attractive alternative to a town populated by "big box" discounters.

For the foreseeable future, Greenfield's course is bound to be somewhat rocky. It faces the streamlining of a bloated town government, some hard choices about the distribution of local and federal funds, and its overall direction as a town. Though the new mayor will make history solely by the virtue of his or her election, it won't be an enviable job. But Greenfield will survive, as it has for the past 250 years. And whatever challenges lie ahead, it will be an interesting ride.

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