V,** :M 4 o A *^> ♦ „ „ o ° <$* 5°* » ^ &mJ&*-' 4 o "V * o . o ° ^ ***** * jftti & V ^ ^ :Mmi ^ /% V I** i^> V --* ,* v ^d< iV ^5°^ r o <<6 PITTSFIELD THE GEM CITY OF BERKSHIRE printed for the Berkshire Life Insurance Company pittsfield, massachusetts LIBRARY of 30NGR£bS I wo Copies rtecwveo MAY 29 1905 r Gogyngni tnir> AJLaSS <2- XXc. No; COPY B. ' i «LJLieij>. Copyright, 1905. ^rv^nr; Sun Printing Company, pittsfield. mass. PITTSFIELD .. he object of this booklet is to assist the T visitor — the stranger — to a ready famil- iarity with Pittsfield, its environments, its points of interest and some of the inter- esting facts of its history. Pittsfield's fame is widespread and the term "Gem City" by which it is known, is most fitting- ly applied. Few cities are more beautifully located, few can boast of such charming surroundings, few are more delightful in all ways. The city's first claim to distinction arises from its natural beauty, a beauty which has been vastly enhanced by its inhabitants. But it has a sure claim to prominence by reason of .its thrift and industry, and, as a manufacturing center, it is progressing steadily and surely. One very notable thing about Pittsfield is the fact that while it is a manufacturing town in the real sense, yet its industries are entirely unobtrusive, being lo- cated on the outskirts of the city where they detract nothing from the charm of the place. The city possesses many advantages as a place of manufacture, and its railroad facilities are of the best. As a place of resi- dence it is unsurpassed, possessing as it does the ad- vantages of the modern municipality coupled with all the delights of the country. It has fine schools, an excellent system of government, the most modern sys- tem of sewage disposal, an almost unlimited supply of the purest drinking water, a thoroughly capable fire ( 5 ) department, a police department which has given it the reputation of being one of the most orderly cities in the country, and in fact, all the concomitants of the ideal modern city. HISTORICAL ... The history of Pittsfield, by the late J. E. A. Smith, tells in detail the very interesting story of the settlement and growth of the town. It fixes the first settlement in 1743, a grant of land having been made by the General Court, to John Stoddard. The original settlers, from the vicinity of Westfield, came to the wilderness which is now Pittsfield, in 1743 and be- gan the task of clearing the forest. The unsettled condition of the country discouraged these pioneers and the attempt at a settlement was abandoned before a single permanent dwelling had been erected. The attempt was renewed in 1746 with more or less enthu- siasm, but it was not until 1752 that a real settlement was established under the title of "The Plantation of Pontoosuck." The place was incorporated the following year by the General Court, the charter being issued to "The Proprietors of the Settlement Lots in the Town- ship of Pontoosuck." The first dwellings were erected in the east part of the town where today may be seen the grave of Sarah Deming, the first white woman who came to Pittsfield. The grave is marked by a marble obelisk erected by the town of Pittsfield and the in- scription states that Mrs. Deming was the mother of the first white child born in Pittsfield. In 1761, the (6) BERKSHIRE SAVINGS HANK BUILDING name of the settlement was changed to Pittsfield, for William Pitt, the English statesman, who, as the his- torian puts it, "by his vigorous conduct of the war against France, had made himself the idol of all parties in New England" ; and was incorporated as a town. For many years its career was perilous because of the Indian allies of France, who harrassed the settlements continuously. But the pioneers were not to be daunted and, it is to be presumed, had conceived a fondness for the beautiful region where they had made their homes. They met the perils which surrounded them with brav- ery and refused to be driven from their Eden. The history of the town from that on is similar to that of many New England settlements. Pittsfield continued to grow and prosper and the natural beauty of the region attracted new settlers year after year. The townspeople responded nobly to the call of the country during the Revolution, the war of 1812, the Mexican war, the great Civil war and the Spanish-American war, and its record in these contests is a proud one. The town form of government was retained until 1891 when it was incorporated as a city, its largely increased population and growing interests, making it unadvis- able to longer continue as a town. The population of the city is now about 25,000 and there is no more thrifty, enterprising or better regulated citv in the Commonwealth. The men who fixed upon the site of Pittsfield, were singularly happy in their choice, and posterity must give them the credit of having been wise and tasteful in their day and generation. They came into the wil- derness and builded their first rough dwelling in as (8) lovely a spot as can be found in all this broad land. A plain, encompassed by tbe bills ; a natural amphithea- tre, its surface gemmed with crystal lakes, that in brief, describes tbe site of Pittsfield. A VIEW OF THE CITY No better way in which to begin sight seeing in Pittsfield can be suggested, than that of viewing it first from an elevation. Access may easily be gained, by means of the elevators, to the roof of the Berkshire Life Insurance Company's building, the Hotel Wen- dell or the Berkshire County Savings Bank building, and eitber of these points of vantage afford views of the city's surroundings at once interesting and inspir- ing. To the west will be seen the Taconic range of mountains with Perry's Peak in Richmond and Potter mountain to the north ; off to the south. South moun- tain and its range ; to the east Washington mountain stands guard, while to the north the foot hills rise to Greylock, the grandest of them all. It is an inspira- tion to look about the city from any one of these high places and the view is also helpful as it gives one an excellent idea of "the lay of the land." There are six lakes either wholly or in part within the city limits and on either side, the east and west, are the branches of the Housatonic river which flow together near the southern border line. There are many high places where fine views of the lakes are afforded and these will be referred to later. < in i THE PARK ... Almost directly in the center of the city lies "The Park," a small oval shaped tract, sodded and curbed, and shaded by fine old elms. Back in the early days when Pitts- field was a straggling hamlet, the Park was an open space over which, it is presumed, the village cows grazed contentedly. It re- mained in its natural state until about 1812. In those days its most prominent feature was the "old elm," a magnificent specimen of its kind, which stood near the center of the present park, ft was 120 feet high and 90 feet to the first limb. This tree became historic and in its shade much tran- spired which has helped to make Pittsfield's history notable. In 1809 there was held here a display of a few cattle and this was the beginning of the "cattle show." The old Berkshire Agricultural Society which had its inception at that time, existed until 1901, when, because of lack of public interest, it was deemed wise to wind up its a hairs. In 1825 the old elm looked down upon the great ovation given to General Lafayette, who vis- ited the town and was received with great pomp and ceremony. The old tree stood until 1864, and when, becoming unsafe, it was cut down, the people of the town mourned it as an old friend. A computation of its age, m\ade from the annual rings, indicated that the tree was 340 years old, but the accuracy of the estimate is doubted. That its age was great, however, (12) is certain, for when the first settlers came in 1743 it was already a tree of mature growth. The site of the old elm is now marked by a sun dial, erected in the summer of 1903 by Peace Party Chapter, Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution. The dial occupies a position a little removed from where the tree stood. The base is two feet and ten inches across and six inches thick. The shaft is octagonal in shape, two feet nine inches in height. The dial itself is 13 inches across, circular in shape, and five-sixteenths of an inch thick. The dial is of brass, and the base and shaft were hewn from Ver- mont marble. The figures upon the outer edge of the dial are black, and the inscription, also in black char- acters, reads as follows : Let others tell of storm and showers, I'll only mark your sunny hours. On a brass plate at the base of the dial is the equation of time, while another brass plate bears these words: "Site of the historic elm of Pittsfield. Erected by Peace Party Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, July 25, 1864; June 23, 1903." These dates indicate the time of the hewing down of the tree and the date of dedication. On the dial is the insignia of Peace Party Chapter. At the western end of the park stands the Soldiers' monument. The figure of the "Color Sergeant" which surmounts it, is the work of Launt Thompson, and there are few more beautiful bronzes in the country. The Park is not only the geographical center of the city, but it is also the center of its life and its traditions. (14) Many stirring- scenes have been enacted here and it has come to be looked upon as almost sacred ground, by the people of Pittsfield. AROUXD THE PARK . .. The Park is almost entirely surrounded by public buildings, some of them of much historic interest. To the north stands the Berkshire County Savings Bank building, a handsome modern structure, occupied en- tirely as an office building. Next east is the fine old grey stone edifice of the First Congregational church, which society has been closely identified with Pitts- field's history from the very first. The early pastor of the church was the famous "fighting parson," Rev Thomas Allen, who led the patriotic men of Berkshire to the aid of Gen. Stark in the battle of Bennington. Dr. John Todd, a renowned preacher, writer and scholar, was long its pastor and on its records are scores of names which have been prominent in state and national history. The venerable structure next east, is the former town hall, now enlarged and digni- fied into the home of the city government. This building has been the scene of many famous and stirring- eath- enngs and in it was formerly to be seen a most impres- sive exemplification of the old "Town meeting" idea. Its walls have echoed to the eloquence of such men as the late Hon. Henry L. Dawes, the late Governor Briggs and many others who have been prominently identified with the affairs of state and nation. Next east of the City Hall stands St. Stephen's Episcopal (16) church, a brown stone edifice of much architectural beauty, located almost exactly upon the site of the so- ciety's original church building-. Across the Park to the south, stands the Court house, constructed of white marble from Sheffield, in the south part of the county. It is surrounded by broad lawns shaded by fine old elms and is among the more prominent of the public buildings of the city. To the west of the Court house stands the Athenaeum, a handsome building of native blue stone, the home of the public library and museum. This building was pre- sented to Pittsfield by the late Hon. Thomas Allen, a grandson of Parson Allen, and a few years ago was greatly enlarged and improved. The library contains something like 50,000 volumes, free to the use of the inhabitants of Pittsfield. There is a fine art gallerv and an interesting museum in the building well worth an hour of the visitor's time. THI- MAIX STREETS . .. Pittsfield's principal avenues. North, South, East and West streets, all diverge from the Park and are broad, straight, handsome avenues, each extending in the direction indicated by its name. South streets runs almost due south for half a mile without a change in its straight lines and a more beautiful street can hardly be imagined. The roadway is broad and is bordered on eithei side with turf extending from curb to walk. On both sides of the walks are rows of elms or maples whose dense foliage casts grateful shade and the effect (18) in summer is charming. This street for the most part is occupied by private residences, among the finest be- ing those of Dr. Frank West, Arthur W. Eaton, W. E. Tillotson, Charles E. West and Mrs. Thomas P. Pingrec. The public buildings on the street are the South Congregational church, the Museum of Natural History and Art and the Berkshire County Home for Aged \\ omen, all of which stand about a block below the Park. The Museum, just referred to, is a new in- stitution, the gift of Hon. Zenas Crane of DaltOn and is designed for the benefit of Berkshire County. The building- is a beautiful one and an exceedingly fine col- lection of specimens was placed in it by the donor. The collection has been materially increased by valu- able contributions from various sources. It is open to the public at certain hours each day. A short distance south of the Museum stands Pittsfield's fine new theatre "The Colonial," erected and opened in 1903. Further on, something like a mile and a half from the Park, stands "Broad Hall" now the property of The Country Club of Pittsfield, known to many as the Mel- ville place, and during later years, as the Morewood place. The house was built in 1781, twenty years after the incorporation of the town, by Henry Van Schaack and during its subsequent history as a boarding house, numbered among its guests Longfellow, Hawthorne, Herman Melville, President Tyler and many others of prominence. Count Llewenhaupt, the then Danish minister, occupied the house some years ago as a sum- mer residence and entertained there many foreign no- tables. The property was purchased by the Country Club in 1900, and has been very greatly improved. The (20) old house has been changed, entirely refitted and con- verted into a convenient and attractive club house. The grounds have been cleared, a line golf course has been laid out and provision has been made for acquatic sports on the beautiful little lake which lies within the property. To the southeast of Broad Hall, is "Arrow- head," the Melville estate, and it has its sure claim to distinction in the fact that here lived Herman Mel- ville. While living at "Arrowhead" Melville wrote many of his best works, among them being "Moby Dick," "My Chimney and I," the "Piazza Tales," and "October Mountain." The main road extends nearly due south and leads direct to Lenox, and the ride is one of the most delightful in all Berkshire. Large ap- propriations for the improvement of this highway have been made by the State, the City of Pittsfield and the Town of Lenox. The road is to be macadamized its entire length and a considerable portion of the w r ork will be done this year. North street, which leads north from The Park, is the main business street of Pittsfield. It is a very wide street, paved with asphalt, traversed by the street rail- way lines and lined on either side with many fine busi- ness blocks. The buildings of the Berkshire Life In- surance Company and the Berkshire County Savings Bank, face each other at the lower end of the street and are of much architectural beauty. Central block, the two England buildings, Wollison's block, the Academy of Music, the Hull & Morton building, the Wright block, the Merrill and Mills blocks and the Melville building are among the modern and preten- tious business structures on the street. At the corner of (22) School street, opposite Central block, stands the First Baptist church. School street leads to Allen avenue where is located the Central Station or headquarters of the fire department. It is a handsome and substantial brick building and the greater part of the fire apparatus is housed here. Police headquarters are at the corner of School street and Allen avenue. Farther up North street is the line property of St. Joseph's Catholic church, including the church edifice, parsonage, Con- vent and Parochial school. Just opposite this property stands the modest little frame edifice of Unitv church. A FAMOUS BUILDING .. A short distance north of these churches stands Maplewood, one of the noted and popular summer hotels of the Berkshire Hills. The buildings are front- ed by a spacious lawn shaded with elm trees and the spot is a most inviting one. It was formerly occupied as a Cantonment. In the rear of Maplewood and connected with it, is a building of great historical in- terest, it being what was formerly the old First church, and bears the distinction of having been de- signed by Charles Bulfinch, the famous architect, who designed the old State Mouse at Boston. It is an ex- cellent example of the old time church edifice, although the steeple has been reduced to small proportions. It is used as a gymnasium and dancing hall by the hotel guests. This structure was begun in 1780. finished in 1783, and served the purposes of the First church peo- ple until 1851. I 24 ) i . The upper end of the street before the junction at Wahconah street, is occupied largely by dwelling- houses. Farther north, after passing the Wahconah street junction, is the new House of Mercy hospital. This hue modern structure is the outgrowth of the modest cottage in which the House of Mercy began its work some thirty years ago. The new building is of brick, of a plain but pleasing type of architecture and has ample accommodations for the ever increasing de- mands made upon the institution. The Pittsfield House of Mercy is one of the most successful institutions of its kind in the United States. Just opposite the new building, stands the Henry \Y. Bishop 3d Memorial Training School for Nurses, a gift to the House of Mercy by Henry \V. Bishop of Chicago as a memorial to his son. The school is one of the best in existence and its graduates are recognized everywhere as being admirably qualified in all ways for their profession. North street leads on over the hill for about a mile, where it again joins Wahconah street, leading direct to Pontoosuc lake. East street, leading east from the Park, is, like South street, given up to residential purposes. It is the widest of all of Pittsfield's wide streets ; is shaded by grand elms, and is one of the finest streets in the county. The large stone house near the Park, to the left, is "Eagle's Nest," the residence of the late Hon. Thomas Allen. Just opposite is the St. Stephen's rec- tory, formerly the residence of Edward S. Newton, and a fine specimen of old colonial architecture. Next, to the east is the fine mansion of Bishop Worthington, of Nebraska, which was erected by Hon. Henrv W. (26) MAJNKETT HOMESTEAD, EAST STREET, Bishop, already referred to as the donor of the Train- ing school building' of the House of Mercy. Among the fine old houses which line the street, is "Elm Knoll," the Plunkett homestead, formerly the summer residence of Hon. Nathan Appleton, of Boston. In this house, Longfellow, Mr. Appleton's son-in-law, wrote '"The Old Clock on the Stairs." Just west of the Plunkett home, is the Kellogg homestead, as fine a specimen of the old English home as can be found in the state. East street divides into Elm and Beaver streets and on Elm street is the former home of the late Hon. Henry L. Dawes, ex-senator of Massachusetts. Elm street leads to "Grey Tower," the former residence of the Pollock family, and in the neighborhood of which a fine residential section is growing- up. OT ABLE HOMES .. . West street is given up largely to business purpos- es as far west as the railroad, but beyond that its char- acter changes and one finds many fine residences along the elm-shaded road. The former residence of the late Governor Briggs stands a short distance beyond the railroad. Partner on is the Learned place, and be- yond that still, high up on a wooded bluff on the east shore of Onota lake, is the H. C. Valentine place, as picturesquely located as any home in Berkshire. On the southwest shore of Onota lake is "Fort Hill," the home of Mrs. Howard B. Daniels. The house, which is pure colonial in design, stands upon the exact site of one of the old forts or block-houses erected for the (28) protection of the early settlers against the Indians. There were several of these forts within what was called "The Plantation of Pontoosuck" and this was named Fort Ashley. It was a substantial structure, located in the center of that portion of the old town, and was garrisoned by troops supported by the state. Near the house there stands to this day an apple tree which stood at the southwest corner of the old fort. Just back of the house, in Quota lake, there is a small island, which, before the lake was raised, was a penin- sula, known as Indian Point. It was so named from an incident in the early history of the settlement, an Indian having" been killed there by a settler who fired at random in reply to a shot fired at him from the point. The Walker place, "Blythwood," lies just to the west of Quota lake, and is one of the most striking summer residences in Berkshire. Leading out of North street, just north of the Bap- tist church is Fenn street, another business street, and on this street is located the Methodist church, one of the handsomest church edifices in the western part of the state. In the southeast portion of the city, easily reached by driving or by trolley, are many handsome resi- dences, most of them owned by people who occupy them only during the summer months. On Dawes avenue are the new homes of Henry W. Bishop and John W. Thomson, both of colonial design. On this avenue is also the handsome summer home of Max Butler of New York. Dawes avenue has its eastern terminus at Holmes road, a picturesque highway which takes its names from Oliver Wendell Holmes who at (30) one time lived here. Turning- to the south on Holmes road, one soon reaches the Sampson place at the corner of William street, a remarkably hue example of colonial architecture. Beyond this, after crossing the east branch of the Housatonic river, is the spacious home of Col. Walter Cutting located to the right. Nearly opposite Col. Cutting's home, is "Holmesdale," formerly the res- idence of Oliver Wendell Holmes, now owned and oc- cupied during the summer months by Mr. and Mrs. William Pollock. It is a charming old place, with well kept grounds, one of the most interesting in Central Berkshire. THE LAKHS The lakes in the immediate vicinity, constitute one of Pittsfield's greatest attractions, the finest being Onota and Bontoosuc. Onota lies some two miles west of the city and is the largest as well as one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the county. Its shores afford charming views, particularly the south- western shore where there were fortifications in the daws of the French and Indian war. The lake lies in an upland basin and contains, since its enlargement in 1864, 683 acres. Before that time, it was really two independent lakes, the smaller one to the northwest being formed by a dam or causeway thrown up by beavers. The west shore of the lake was a wall of boulders and pebbles thrown up by the action of the ice. On the east shore is Burbank Park, a considerable tract owned by the city, but as yet unimproved. It is (32) the only portion of the shore open to the public, the balance being- owned by private individuals. A beau- tiful drive extending from Peek's road, leads along the east shore of the lake to this park. It is expected that the park will be made accessible very soon, by the con- struction of a street railway. ( )ne of the most favorable and popular views of Onota, is that obtained from West street opposite the south end of the lake. At the northern boundary line of the city, is Pon- tosuc lake, a beautiful sheet of water lying in a nat- ural basin. It was enlarged in 1867 to its present area of 575 acres. The highway from Pittsfield extends along the eastern border of the lake and a trolley line leads past the lake and extends through Lanesboro Cheshire, Adams and North Adams to Williamstown. On the southern shore is a fine grove open to the pub- lic and beyond to the west are a number of private cot- tages. This spot is known as "Honosada Shore," and during the summer months the cottages are occupied continuously. The grove is a favorite spot and is largely resorted to by pleasure seekers. Fronn this shore there is a charming view to the north taking in the hills of Lanesboro, Constitution hill and Grevlock, while to the west are to be seen the peaks of the Ta- conic range. Gunn's grove at the north end and Ho- decker's on the west shore are also popular spots for picnic and camping parties. On the east shore at the ''Point of Pines" stands the fine modern home of the Pittsfield Boat Club. This organization has a large membership and its club house is headquarters for acquatic sports. The club owns a large number of boats and during the summer months conducts eve- (34) ning carnivals which attract great numbers of people to the lake. Visitors find facilities of all kinds at Pon- toosuc, and a more delightful spot for an outing can- not be found in all Berkshire. Richmond lake formerly lay about equally in the towns of Richmond and Pittsfield and on the old maps was designated as "South Pond." It was originally about ninety-eight acres in extent and nearly circular in form. In 1865 it was enlarged to two hundred and fiftv acres and its form was matrially altered. Rich- mond lake is a very popular fishing ground. In the east-central part of the city, lies Silver lake and it is one of the first objects seen by people coming from the east on the Boston and Albany road. It covers about sixty acres. About a mile east of Silver lake, in a se- cluded spot, is Goodrich Pond, covering some thirty acres. It was formerly known by the much prettier title of Sylvan lake, a name entirely appropriate. With- in the grounds of the Country Club, already referred to, lies Morewood lake, formerly called Melville lake and also known by the names of various other owners of the property. On the maps, it was long designated as Lilly Bowl, a rather fanciful but none the less de- scriptive title. None of Berkshire's many lakes is more charming in contour and surroundings. Over in New York state, some nine miles west of Pittsfield, will be found Queechy lake, a very beautiful body of water and one much resorted to by pleasure seekers. (36) POINTS OF INTEREST .. . There are numerous places of interest in and about Pittsfield and the delightful drives are endless. A pamphlet entitled "Drives and Walks of Pittsfield," issued by the Berkshire Life Insurance Company, is an admirable guide to the visitor as it gives minute direc- tions and descriptions of the interesting walks and drives in all directions. Visitors will be interested in visiting Dalton, six miles east, where is located the Government mill. Here the distinctive paper is made, upon which the United States government prints its greenbacks and bonds. Dalton is a very charming town and here are the homes of the Crane families, including that of W. Murray Crane, the former governor of Massachusetts. The paper mills of the Cranes and of the Byron Weston Paper Company produce writing and ledger papers respectively and the product is of the highest grade. To the northeast of Pittsfield. reached by a very pleasant drive, will be found the famous Balanced Rock, Berkshire's greatest natural curiosity. It is a mass of white marble, its surface stained by the ele- ments to a grey hue and weighing many tons. It is rudely oval in shape and so evenly balanced on a pivot of a few inches, that, although, by the aid of a lever it may be made to slightly oscillate, no force yet applied has been able to overturn it. A noted geologist gives it as his opinion, that the boulder was deposited by fields of ice several thousand feet thick, slowly orind- ing over the ancient surface of the vallev. ( 38 ) In this neighborhood, easily reached by a fairly good road, is Lulu Cascade, a charming spot for an outing and one of the choicest bits of scenery in all Berkshire. A silvery column of water falls fifteen feet over dark rocks into a broad black pool, over which hangs a huge grey boulder. Below is a ravine shaded with trees and rocks, through which ripples the brook. Following the wood-road which leads from the southern bank of the brook, for perhaps a mile, and climbing a hill to the left, one comes to Berry Pond, well termed, "the gem of mountain lakelets." Berry Pond and Lulu Cascade ought surely to be in- cluded in the program of summer excursions in Berk- shire. PERRY'S PEAK .. . Lying within the town of Richmond, a few miles to the southwest from Pittsfield, is Perry's Peak, the highest summit of one of the largest mountain masses in the Taconic range. Its summit is 2,080 feet above tide water and is entirely bare of trees. The peak affords some of the broadest, grandest and most pictur- esque views to be witnessed from any point in Berk- shire, extending to Greylock on the north, Mount Washington on the south, the Catskills on the west and the Hoosacks on the east. At the western foot of the mountain, lies Queechy lake, while Richmond Lake is in plain view to the east. There is a peak just to the south of the city, an easy walk for the pedestrian and readily accessible by 1 10) trolley, to all, from which may be obtained the most delightful views of Pittsfield to be found anywhere in the region. It is called South Mountain and there is an excellent road of an easy grade extending to the summit. Here there is a clearing, a charming spot for a picnic, and from this point, the eye commands almost the full sweep of the amphitheatre in which Pittsfield lies. Going to the north into Lanesboro, one may easily reach the summit of Constitution Hill, the most en- trancing spot to be found for miles around. The summit of the hill is bare of trees but for one which stands sentinel like in the center of the clearing. Sit- ting in its shade, one may see the full range of the hills as they rise gradually to the king of them all, Greylock, and to the south may look down across the valley, the view embracing both Pontoosuc and Onota lakes. On the western side of the hill, there is an in- teresting cave, not difficult to find and worthy a visit. Greylock, just alluded to as the king of them all, lifts itself high above all Massachusetts and from the summit of its peak, more than 3,500 feet above sea level, the view is surpassingly grand. There is nothing to break the view in all directions for miles around, Berkshire's hills and valleys lie before you spread out in an impressive panorama, while beyond lies New York, thrusting up her majestic Catskills, Ver- mont putting forth her Green Mountains and Connecti- cut whose hills are, more than anything else, a portion of the Berkshire ranges. Greylock is easily reached by a recently constructed road from Pittsfield through Lanesboro, or one may go to North Adams and drive (42) to the summit by an excellent road. One way or the other, the trip should not be missed, for Berkshire has nothing finer, nothing - more impressive or inspiring, than Grevlock. THE TORY'S CAVE Down at New Lenox, but a few miles south of Pittsfield, there is an interesting cave, known as The Tory's Cave. It is a rude place of two chambers, built of overlapping flint rocks and has nothing at all poetic in its environment. A great many years ago when tories were unpopular, one of them, Gideon Smith by name, spent several weeks in hiding in this cave, hence its name. The waters of Roaring brook tumble over the rough rocks just in front of the cave and the place is one of wild beauty. Time has changed the appearance of the cave considerably but there is still enough of the original formation left to make it interesting. Two places to the east of the city must be included in the list of points of interest. Wizard's Glen and "Wahconah Falls. The former, sometimes called The Gulf, is reached by a four miles drive from Pittsfield towards Dalton and is the wildest spot in the imme- diate vicinity. One writer describes the Glen as fol- lows : — "A narrow valley is enclosed by steep hills, covered far up their sides with the huge rectangular flint rocks which mark the whole mountain range. You see them scattered everywhere, from Grevlock to Taghconic ; but nowhere else — unless, perhaps, at Icy (44) . . ■ ..■■■■■ ' ■■- . .. Glen or Monument Mountain — piled in such mag- nificent and chaotic profusion. * * * * Block lies heaped on block, squared and bevelled, as if by more than mortal art ; for of such adamantine hardness are they, that never hand nor implement of man could carve them into symmetry." It is indeed a stern faced place, but it has its sure charm and there is no more delightful retreat on a summer afternoon. A fine drive through Dalton and out on the Wind- sor road brings one to Wahconah Falls. The waters of the brook descend through a narrow gorge, racing over dark grey rocks and at the "Falls," drop by two or three leaps, something like seventy feet. The fall is sufficient to whip the water into white foam and there is an indefinable fascination about the spot. There are unusually complete accommodations for outing parties, provided by the owners of the prop- erty, the Messrs. Crane of Dalton, and the day passed at Wahconah Falls will not be forgotten, no matter how many pleasant memories are stored away by a season in the Berkshires. Out in Richmond, just beyond Stevens Corners, will be found Stevens Glen, a place worthy of a visit by people interested in freaks of nature, as this glen is assuredly a freak spot. The owner charges a small fee for admission to the glen, but the facilities for seeing it, which he has provided, make it worth the price. The new state road running to the west over Leb- anon mountain is one of the most attractive drives in this part of the state. It is known as the Interstate (46) road, Massachusetts and New York having joined in its construction, and commands a view of Lebanon valley which is unsurpassed. Pittsfield is the center of a comprehensive system of street railways running- in all directions, which give fre- quent connection with the various towns up and down the vallev, thus bringing- within easy access a great many points of interest. The roads about Pittsfield afford fine wheeling and the county is visited annually bv hundreds of touring wheelmen and automobilists. WAV 29 19C5 PU 18 i -£> ^p v ^ ^CV 4 Pa r oV H^ ,0° O M O