GREENFIELD

city, Hancock county, central Indiana, U.S., 21 mi (34 km) east of Indianapolis. Founded in 1828 as the county seat, it was incorporated in 1850 and was probably named for John Green, an early settler. Mainly residential, it has some light industries (textiles, pharmaceuticals) and there are some adjoining farms producing tomatoes, soybeans, and wheat. Greenfield is mainly known, however, as the birthplace of the Hoosier dialect poet, James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916), and the Riley Homestead on Main Street is preserved as a memorial-museum. In his early years Riley contributed literary pieces to the Greenfield Commercial and the Greenfield News. The city's Riley Memorial Park is crossed by Brandywine Creek with its "Old Swimmin' Hole" celebrated in Riley's simple sentimental verses. Pop. (1990) 11,657. town (township), Franklin county, northwestern Massachusetts, U.S. It lies on the Connecticut River, 36 miles (58 km) north of Springfield and about 12 miles (19 km) south of the Vermont state border. It was occupied in 1686 as the Green River Settlement, then part of Deerfield, and was separately incorporated in 1753. In the early 19th century the town was designated the county seat (1811), and it became a manufacturing centre. Light industries are still important, although the economy is now based on services (including health care), trade, insurance, and tourism. Greenfield Community College was established in 1962. The town is at the eastern terminus of the Mohawk Trail scenic highway. Area 22 square miles (57 square km). Pop. (1990) 18,666; (1996 est.) 18,580.