By 1750 the town center lay on one of the main roads connecting Northampton to Hartford, Connecticut, and the area became a significant rest stop along the way.

It received significant development in the 1790s when the road was more formally laid out, private homes began to join the taverns, and what is now Elm Street connected the village to points east and west.

[2] As the 19th century progressed the village continued to grow, yet retained some rural character, with only low levels of industrialization.

Agawam was not formally incorporated until 1855, and it is during this time that the village assumed its role as the civic center of the town.

[2] The district features a variety of architectural styles, from Georgian and Federal buildings of the early period to mid-20th century ranch housing.