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icturesque Berkshire
From the Mohawk Trail To Bash Bish Falls
r917.441
Picturesque
LENOX LIBRARY ASSOCIATION LENOX, MASSACHUSETTS 01240
The Trip over the Mohawk Trail
Through the Berkshires to Bash Bish is One Never Forgotten
HETHER a person lives in Maine or California, there must sometime come a desire to see W the Berkshire Hills, for the fame of this wonderful region has spread far and wide-and well it may, for it would be hard to imagine any thing more beautiful than the scenery through- out this section. To see the Berkshire Hills, however, means to be overpowered, for one can- not travel through the roads which skirt these hills and look on trees, rivers, lakes, undulat- ing slopes of marvelous green-and not feel that here is something beyond the power of man to reproduce on canvas-beyond the power of writer to pen.
One beautiful spot after another tells the story of these hills and when one sees them there can be little else in one's mind-and for years after, the beauty of these hills linger in the memory; and no matter where one goes, there is always a comparison of the scenery with the Berkshires and one always says: "It is beautiful but it cannot compare with the Berkshires.'
Because the scenery of these hills is so wonderful, so overpowering, so impressive, this book has been compiled and years after you leave these hills you cannot help having a thrill of pleasure every time you look at the following pages and imagine you are again with us in these hills, where Nature left nothing to be desired, allowed nothing to mar the perfect beauty of this masterpiece.
This book is a book of the Berkshire Hills covering those spots which you should see if you would see the hills in all their beauty, a book which will be a delight to your friends back home, one which will aid
you wonderfully when you describe scenes which thrilled you with pleasure, even as they have those who have seen the world's most famous spots-and yet found in the Berkshires a wealth of coloring that is unequalled anywhere in the world.
Beautiful as this section is, the interest of the traveler is not confined alone to the beauty of the Berkshires. There are historical spots which have a story all their own, places which today have an interest for those of all states or countries who come to this garden spot of America.
In this book we shall take you pictorially from the beginning of the wonderful Mohawk Trail which has no equal for scenic beauty, through classical Williamstown, give you a glimpse of North Adams, call to your attention the beauties and interesting spots of Pittsfield, the Shire City, and then on down through the county where beautiful residences are to be found in Lenox, Stockbridge and Great Barrington.
You will see these places as you pass through and in years after, when you look at this book, you will remember vividly the emotions which you felt when you traveled over these roads and saw scenes that are beyond description-scenes which draw people from all parts of the world to see THE WORLD FAMOUS BERKSHIRE HILLS.
One of The Scenic Beauty Spots of The World
The motorist leaving Boston and taking the road through Lexington may perhaps notice a sign which reads "Mohawk Trail" and feel a thrill of delight that at last that famous trail has been reached, the trail which is today famous throughout this land.
It is the Mohawk Trail (the Eastern end of it) for it was over this same road that the Mohawk Indians traveled westward in the olden days. The Mohawk Trail, however, holds its greatest interest for the motorist more than one hundred miles beyond, for, when one speaks of the trail today, one speaks of that road which goes over the Hoosac Mountain starting at the Deerfield River near the town of Florida and ending in North Adams.
Having once traveled over this mountain on the new state road, completed but a short time ago, one cannot help remembering this wonderful trail which is distinctly different to any other spot the world knows-which is, for scenic beauty, unsurpassed.
Starting where the river crosses and traveling up and up all the time-over twelve miles of perfect roads to the summit, beneath which 1200 feet below, trains travel through the Hoosac tunnel, the motorist marvels at every foot for the world seems to have been left behind.
The river is far below like a tiny silver line, the curving road travels on and on through sections cut from solid rock which seem to be at the edge of virgin forests.
And then comes the summit with its views which simply compel one to think seriously of the work of NATURE. All the way up one wonders what will be next, wonders if things could be more impressive- and then realizes when the summit has been reached that here is the most wonderful view of all.
In the next few pages let us take you over the trail from the Deerfield to North Adams, let us show you some of the spots which bring motorists from far and near-the trail which once traveled always leaves fond memories-and which will ever be a treat in store for those who have yet to enjoy the beauties of this remarkable road.
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MOHLIWK TRAIL Fasten Firar . o Tril For History I ceracht River
-
8 CAmtt
MOHAWK TRAIL Trail Carved Out of Rock on the Eastern Side PHOTO COPR BY CANEDY
M.MAHON Serpentine Curve of Beauty winding .
through Cold River's Vale
MOHAWK TRAIL Winding along Cold River and deeper into the Hills
POHTO CORP. BY CANEDY
MOHAWK TRAIL Forest on Mountain Top Approached from East
PHOTO COPR. BY CANKDY
AWHITCOMB SUMMIT TOURIST SHOP
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WHITCOMB SUMMIT Altitude 2272 ft. PHOTO COPR. BY CANEDY
.
MAYHON Berkshire's Beautiful Birches. Gleaming White along the Trail PHOTO COPA. AT CANÇOY
MOHAWK TRAIL Winter's Sentinel on Mountain Crest which Motorist never Sees PHOTO CORP, BY CANEDY
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MAVHOK TRAIL Climbing the Mountain from Charlemont Side.
PHOTO LOPH AY CANLOT
7
MOHAWK TRAIL Curving along a Mountain Shelf Overhanging Cold River. PHOTO CORP. BY CANEDY
بط
MOHAWK TRAIL
. 'O CIFR BY CANLE
CITY OF NORTHI ADAMS In the Hollow of Her Hills, as Seen from Trail. PHOTO COMP BY CANEOY
The college buildings while very beautiful in themselves and most interesting to see (they are open and guides will take you through) owe much to their surroundings, for a fairer setting for a college could hardly be imagined.
Take the concrete road from North Adams and spend a few hours amid the beauties of this college town and see the places which were favorite haunts of many men who have since become famous in the life of this county.
On the following pages, we print some of the principal places to see-scenes and places which hold much interest for travelers from all sections of the country.
Williamstown
The Home of Williams College
As a rule a college town is far from interest- ing during the summer months when the college is closed, but in this re- spect Williamstown is far different for few places can compare with this town in the hills-the home of Wil- liams College.
In what direction could you go to find so much rest and invigora- tion for the mind as among these hills-where could you see anything which is more beautiful than the view pictured here-along the Green River in Williamstown.
It would require a volume to enumerate all the attrac- tions of these wonderful Berk- shire Hills, for look where you will there are always before you supreme beauties of Na- ture-and two of Nature's masterpieces are these spots- the Inner Hopper at Williams- town and Torrey's Drive.
It wouldn't be a New England town if it didn't have a white church- and this is the Congregational church of Williamstown.
Grace Hall and the Haystack Monument, two of the interest- ing places to visit in Williams- town, for both are famous. The Haystack Monument marks the spot where was founded in 1808, the American Board of Foreign Missions.
After the trip over the trail with its many scenes of such great beauty, it is always a delight to order a delicious dinner and talk over your trip. And nowhere is there a more pleasant place to do this than at the Greylock, the delightfully situated hotel in Wil- liamstown-a great favorite with tourists. Those who stop at the
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Greylock will find much to interest them in Williamstown and on these pages are pic- tured some of the spots which all should see. The college buildings, Grace Hall, The Haystack Monument, the scenes along the Green River and many charming rides, all help to make Williamstown one of the most popular of all Berkshire Towns.
Pittsfield the Shire City Which Attracts so Many Because of Its Beauty
Pittsfield is a city, a city with throbbing industries which employ people of many races, a city where the growth has been rapid and success has come to a great many persons-and yet it is hard to think of Pittsfield as a commercial center because of its wonderful beauty.
Its wide streets with wonderful trees, its lakes that have no rivals for beauty anywhere in the world, its beautifully kept lawns-everything about Pittsfield makes you want to stay in it-and you will say as all those who see it say: "This is the place to live." Pittsfield is just halfway between Boston and New York and from both of these cities it attracts many visitors, while from the far west, people travel many hundreds of miles to see this shire city of the Berkshires-the beautiful city in the hills. It is really the center of the Berkshires and people stay in this city and make trips through the hills always returning to Pittsfield at night for the many activities which are here. To see Pittsfield is to see one of the most beau- tifully situated cities in the world, a spot where beautiful hills surround it on every side, within the borders of which ponds and lakes of unequalled charm are to be seen and through which brooks and the Housatonic River pass, adding a beauty all their own-a beauty which helps to make Pittsfield the beautiful spot it is.
Somewhere in the world there may be more beautiful lakes, but it would be hard to imagine a more beautiful lake in a more beautiful setting than Lake Onota in the western part of Pittsfield. To stand on the hill on West Street and look across this lake with Greylock for a back ground, is to look at one of Nature's proudest jewels set as only Nature knows how.
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In the Quaint Old Lanesborough Cemetery
When one sees the large boulder which marks the last resting place of one who was known far and wide as Josh Billings, one cannot help feeling that such a resting place in the quiet Lanesborough cemetery is as Josh wished it.
Why people come to the Berkshires
When such scenes as the one pictured below greet the eye no matter which way one may look, is it any wonder people travel hundreds of miles to see the Berkshire Hills?
Balance Rock
At first glance it seems but a large boulder, but the longer one looks, the longer one marvels. It is Balance Rock and it is so perfectly balanced on such a small area that one wonders how it can be. See Balance Rock, it is something worth remembering.
A Favorite Lake in Pittsfield
Pittsfield's most popular playground, Pontoosuc Lake, has a beauty of its own which would call for many expressions of admiration were it not among so many other spots as beautiful and even more so. A favorite summer resort and not deserted even during the Berkshire winters for there are those who love its shores all months in the year.
Leaving Pittsfield and traveling Southward, brings one to Lenox with its wonderful residences, for it is a residential section entirely-one of those beautiful towns which are given over entirely to the joy of living and where the smoke of industry is unknown. It is some years since many New Yorkers found this garden spot in the hills and soon palatial summer homes sprang up, one after another-each one more beautiful than the other. It is to these homes that millionaires from all over the United States come when the cool sea breezes are a bit too cool and the wonderful green of the Berkshire Hills changes to the many exquisite colorings which make one wonder if anything could be more beautiful. Lenox and its sister town of Stockbridge, just beyond, should have some of your time, for it is a delight to travel over the different roads and see the homes which are built in these hills which have no equal during the summer months and which grow more beautiful as the days shorten and fall comes over the land.
Upper "Main Street" of Lenox Showing Park in America's Most Famous Resort
A perfect village street and one of the best known streets in America, for it's Main Street, Lenox-and not to have seen Lenox is to have missed seeing one of the most famous summer resorts in this country.
Shadowbrook the largest home in Lenox, built by Anson Phelps Stokes and the home of Andrew Carnegie when he died. It was on the beautiful Stockbridge Bowl or Lake Mahkeenac which this palatial residence over- looks that Carnegie spent some of his happiest days catching some of the beauties which swam in the lake below his home. It is a house of 150 rooms and is situated on the lower road from Lenox to Stockbridge.
It is no wonder that people come year after year to spend at least some time at the Aspinwall Hotel, for the time spent at this beautiful house cannot be other than enjoyable. Perfect in appointment in every way, this beautiful summer hotel is so situated that no matter which way the eye may travel, one sees scenery which arrests the attention of even the world traveler - scenery which impresses one with its grandeur and color.
1
Where Rest the Friendly Indians
As you may see by the inscription, this stone marks the spot where was the ancient burial ground of the Stockbridge Indians-Indians who were friends of early Stockbridge settlers.
CIENTE URFACE
OF THE
STOCKBRIDGE INDIAAS
FRIENDS OF OUR
As you travel through the Berkshires you must be impressed with the beauty of the Berkshire streams which go tumbling along over rocks, through wooded places, always singing their songs of happiness as they travel on and toward the large waters which eventually reach the sea. There are so many of these streams and
each one seems to have a beauty all its own that to take any par- ticular one would be to try and place the beauties of one above the others-and who is there who could say which caused the eye more delight or sent more cheerful- ness to the soul.
The trip of trips, the trip of a lifetime, is the one you take to the Berkshire Hills. Your stay in the Berkshire's will always leave with you delightful memories, for happy days cannot fail to be yours while you are here. To make sure that your stay will be comfortable, you need only to stay at this splendid Summer Hotel on Pittsfield's main street. Famous for many years as a young ladies' seminary, Maplewood was later turned into a summer hotel and for many years this delightful spot with its beautiful shade trees has been, for weeks, the home of many who love the Berkshires and who have found in this hotel the ideal stopping place.
There are many picturesque old residences throughout Berkshire County but nowhere is there one which makes a prettier picture than this quaint old house on the lower road from Williamstown to Pittsfield.
Is it any wonder that strangers who come to Pittsfield desire to stay here and make Pittsfield their home when they see such streets as this? It is Wendell Avenue, one of Pittsfield's finest residential streets.
Pittsfield offers every kind of scenery you desire and this seeming path near the country club is a picture of the old road now little used. Its picturesque beauty makes it a spot well worth seeing.
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But a few minutes walk from Pittsfield's busy streets is this charming spot. It is Spring- side Park and the pleasure it gives young and old, every day is great.
See the Berkshires once and you will always have a desire to see them again for this section never loses it attractions and charm for the visitors. It is not a case of one scene that is beautiful, but many and it seems as though every direction the eyes are turned there is a picture which makes one wonder if anything could be more beautiful-such a view is the one pictured here, looking from South Mountain toward the Pittsfield Country Club.
Going out of Pittsfield on the road toward Dalton, one cannot help noticing the building pictured here. It is the Government Mill where all the paper for the paper money is made and holds much interest for travelers.
It isn't a picture of a spot in the wilderness simply a picture of the Housatonic River at Elm Street. It was at this point that the first mill dam was erected so many years ago and many residents now living remember the foot bridge which crossed the river at this point.
At the Berkshire end of Jacob's Ladder, situated in the town of Lee is Greenock Inn, one of the most attractive and comfortable of all Berkshire Hotels. Although an all year house, this hotel is particularly attractive to the summer visitor for it is ideally situated amid shade trees and everything is done for the comfort and pleasure of its guests. It is right in the center of things and a stop at this hotel means an added pleasure to your trip.
As you pass on through seemingly endless miles of wonderful hills, you will notice spots which seem like paintings-places where Nature seems to have put forth more than special efforts to make a thing of beauty. Such a scene meets the eye in Lee, where the river passes the beautiful Sum- merside Gardens.
Nature lavishly endowed the Berkshires with loveliness and one of her most beautiful roads is the one which passes between the willows in Stockbridge.
"Somewhat back from the village street, Stands the old fashioned country seat."
It was in this house on East Street, in Pittsfield, that Longfellow lived for some years and where he wrote "The Old Clock on the Stairs."
ALBANY, N. Y.
Via New Lebanon, Nassau and Rensselaer 36 Miles
MILEAGE
From Between Pittsfield Towns
0.0
0.0 CITY HALL PARK on left, hotel on right. Go south on South St. with trolley. At 0.2 mileage turn right onto West Housatonie St.
4.5
4.5 SHAKER VILLAGE, MASS.
10.8 6.3 NEW LEBANON, N. Y.
12.2 1.4 NEW LEBANON CENTRE.
14.9 2.7
WEST LEBANON. NASSAU.
30.8
35.2
4.4 RENSSELAER: Turn left aeross long iron bridge over Hudson River.
36.0
0.8 ALBANY: Turn right with trolley along river to Broadway and State St.
GREENFIELD, MASS.
Via North Adams, Mohawk Trail and Shel- burne Falls 59.2 Miles
MILEAGE
From Between
Pittsfield Towns
0.0 0.0 CITY HALL PARK on right. Go north on North St. with trolley to Hospital, turn right onto Tyler St.
3.3
3.3 COLTSVILLE: Four corners; meet- ing eross trolley; hotel on right, turn left.
10.8 7.5
CHESHIRE: Straight ahead.
15.6 4.8 ADAMS: At square, turn left with trolley.
21.9 6.3 NORTH ADAMS: From Main St. turn right up Eagle St., next right up Union St. Start elimb up Mo- hawk Trail.
108.9
11.5 KITCHAWAN: Keep right.
117.5 8.6 SCARBORO: Broadway.
121.3
3.8 N. TARRYTOWN: Bear right on Broadway.
0.7 TARRYTOWN: Straight thru.
124.9 2.9 IRVINGTON
127.1 2.2 DOBB'S FERRY.
128.1
1.0 HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON.
132.5
4.4
YONKERS:
Bear right onto
Broadway.
145 5
13.0
NEW YORK CITY: Columbus Circle (Broadway and 59th St.)
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
Via Jacob's Ladder 54.5 Miles
MILEAGE
From Between Pittsfield Towns
6.6
6.6 LENOX: Turn left at monument
and next right at stone Church. 0.0
12.7
6.1
STOCKBRIDGE: Turn left at monument in green.
20.2
7.5 GT. BARRINGTON: Straight
6.6
6.6 LENOX: Left fork at monument.
through with trolley.
24.0
3.8 SO. EGREMONT.
37.4
13.4 SALISBURY, CONN.
39.1
1.7 LAKEVILLE.
43.0
3.9 MILLERTON, N. Y .; Bear left on Main St.
AMENIA: Straight thru.
34.8
6.7
55.4
3.4
WASSAIC.
38.7
3.9
61.0
5.6
DOVER PLAINS.
67.3
6.3
SO. DOVER.
41.3
2.6 WORONOCO.
75.0
7.7
88.3
13.3
CARMEL.
93.8
5.5 LAKE MAHOPAC.
97.4
3.6 BALDWIN PLACE: Turn right at four corners.
54.0
7.0 WEST SPRINGFIELD.
54.5
0.5 SPRINGFIELD. Main St.
41.0 19.1 CHARLEMONT. SHELBURNE FALLS: Turn left aeross bridge onto Bridge St.
53.0 12.0
SHELBURNE.
59.2 6.2 GREENFIELD.
NEW YORK CITY
Via Gt. Barrington, Lakeville, Pawling, Tarrytown and Yonkers 145.5 Miles
MILEAGE
From Between
Pittsfield Towns
0.0
0.0 CITY HALL PARK on left, hotel on right; go south on South St. with trolley.
0.0 CITY HALL PARK on left. hotel on right. Go south on South St. with trolley.
3.9
10.5 LEE: Turn onto Main St. with trolley. Left at Park onto Fuller St. EAST LEE.
12.9
2.4
28.1
15.2 CHESTER : Continue on State
Road.
52.0
9.0
HUNTINGTON: Follow trolley.
RUSSELL: Turn to right at water- ing trough.
PAWLING.
47.0
5.6 WESTFIELD: Follow trolley to left onto Main St. Turn left at Park.
Turn left onto
122.0
23.5
8.6 7.3 EAST GREENBUSH.
Great Barrington will tempt you with its glorious surroundings and its delightful at- mosphere, and the Colonial Inn will tempt you to stay in Great Barrington as long as possible. It is a hotel which is like a beau- tiful country home, an Inn where everything is done to make the comfort of the traveler possible.
It is a picture of the Housatonic River near Great Barrington and one of the prettiest of scenes imaginable. It is flowing slowly as if reluctant to leave the Berkshires and the beautiful hills which have been its home for many miles. Look for this scene, it is worth seeing.
Could Any Place Be More Beautiful?
Niagara is impres- sive because of its size, other falls are impressive because of their height, but Wahconah Falls in Dalton must im- press you because of its wonderful beauty and because it is suchva charm- ing spot. It is one of the favorite [spots for Berkshire peo- ple and others from all the world to visit
Before you leave Berkshire County and travel on your way into Connecticut, do not fail to see Bash Bish Falls and Cas- cade-a spot once seen long remembered. It is but a short ride from the town of Copake up through a wooded section which makes you think you are far beyond civilization and you wonder what there can be of interest in such a section.
Leave your car at the ruins of the old hotel and walk up the hill which seems like entering a dense forest, but you will be repaid when you see the tumbling waters of this Falls, a spot which holds many tender memories for a great number of people who have spent happy hours amid the quiet surroundings of Bash Bish Falls.
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