Welcome to Springfield, Massachusetts, the most centrally located city in New England, between major tourist destinations like Boston, Vermont, The Berkshires and Canada.  There is a lot to do right in downtown Springfield, too! There are lots of restaurants and places to go in this beautiful city.  Enjoy the cuisine and sights with old friends and new.

Indian Motorcycles were originally produced in Springfield, Massachusetts from 1901 to 1953. Hendee Manufacturing Company initially produced the motorcycles, but the name was changed to the Indian Motocycle (yes, “Motocycle”) Manufacturing Company in 1923. 

The Indian Motorcycle factory team took the first three places in the 1911 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. During the 1910s, Indian Motorcycle became the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the whole world. Indian Motorcycle's most popular models were the Scout, made from 1920 to 1946, and the Chief, made from 1922 until 1953, when the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company went bankrupt. Various organizations tried to perpetuate the Indian Motorcycle brand name in subsequent years, with limited success. 

In 2011, Polaris Industries purchased Indian Motorcycles and moved operations from North Carolina and merged them into their existing facilities in Minnesota and Iowa. Since August 2013, Polaris has marketed multiple modern Indian motorcycles that reflect Indian Motorcycle's traditional styling. 

Springfield Museums Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History currently feature more than two dozen motorcycles donated by EstaManthos, co-founder and president of the former Indian Motocycle Museum which was located on Hendee Street in Springfield from 1974 to 2006.  

Among the rarest Indians on view is the 1904 blue Indian designed and owned by Indian co-founder Hedstrom. When he left the company, he took this motorcycle with him, and it was later passed on to his granddaughter. Also featured are Indian racer and dealer Stanley Cornell’s unique 1912 board track cycle with its original board track racing tires; an entirely restored, operable 1929 101 Scout; and a 1927 hill-climber. 

The collection also includes artifacts, memorabilia, and photographs highlighting production of Indian’s “everyman” and military motorcycles from the early years at the famous “Wigwam” through the final days of the downtown Springfield factory in 1953.