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 Library of Gonyresb 
 
 Two Copies Rece; 
 AUG 10 1900 
 
 Opjngiu eoiiy 
 
 No. 
 
 FIRST COPY. 
 
 2nd Copy Delivered to 
 ORDER DIVISION 
 
 Copyright 
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Pittsfield, Massachusetts. 
 
 The fame of this beautifully located city in the 
 center of the Berkshire Hills, has traveled far 
 and wide, and few indeed are the visitors who 
 have not heard of its attractiveness. Its scen- 
 ery, its traditions, its ideal location, its lakes, and its 
 drives, have been the subject of song and story for 
 generations and people come to it from all sections of 
 the country expecting to be interested, amused, and 
 charmed. With the idea of aiding the visitor in seeing 
 that which is best worth seeing during a brief sojourn 
 in Pittsfield, this little pamphlet is issued. 
 
 The men who selected the site of Pittsfield could 
 not have chosen a more delightful spot in which to lay 
 the foundation of what has come to be the gem city of 
 western Massachusetts. Laid out in a natural amphi- 
 theatre, the hills surround and encompass it, and its 
 broad streets lead in all directions to points of beauty 
 and interest. An excellent idea of the city's situation 
 may be obtained from the roof of The Wendell hotel, 
 
the Berkshire Life Insurance Company building, or 
 the Berkshire County Savings Bank building, all of 
 which are located very nearly in the center of the city. 
 Perhaps to one starting out to see Pittsfield, nothing 
 could be more helpful nor more certain to enlist an 
 eager interest, than a visit to the roof of one of these 
 buildings from which magnificent views of the city's 
 surroundings are obtainable. These buildings, by the 
 way, are among the finest in Berkshire County and are 
 prominent as architectural attractions of Pittsfield. 
 
 Just in the center of the city, lies what is called 
 The Park, a small oval-shaped space, sodded, curbed, 
 and shaded by towering elms. The Park is not only 
 Pittsfield's geographical center, but it is also the center 
 of the city's life and its traditions. In the early days 
 of the old town this was an open space over which the 
 village cows grazed contentedly. Happily, the space 
 was preserved, and as early as 1812 it was recognized 
 as the public green, and some improvements to that 
 end were made. In those days its most prominent fea- 
 ture was the " Old Elm," a magnificent specimen of its 
 kind, which stood near the center of the present Park. 
 It was 1 20 feet high, and 90 feet to the first limb. This 
 tree became historic, for under its shade much trans- 
 pired that has helped to make Pittsfield's history nota- 
 
BERKSHIRE COUNTY SAVINGS BANK BUILDING 
 
7 
 
 ble The tree stood until 1862, and when, becoming 
 unsafe, it was cut down, the people of the town mourned 
 it as an old friend. From time to time the former 
 "green" has been improved until it is today a delight- 
 ful little spot in the very heart of the city. At the 
 western end of the Park, facing the entrance and look- 
 ing off to the western hills, stands the soldiers' monu- 
 ment. The bronze figure of " The Color Sergeant," 
 which surmounts the granite pedestal, is the work of 
 Launt Thompson, and there are few more beautiful 
 bronzes in the country. This monument, which cost 
 $10,000, was dedicated in 1872, the dedicatory address 
 being delivered by the late George William Curtis. 
 An interesting thing about this bit of land, is that here 
 was held the first "cattle show," so called, ever held 
 in the United States. The society which held it has 
 been in continuous existence ever since, and its annual 
 fair at its spacious grounds in the north part of the 
 town, is one of the notable events of the autumn sea- 
 son. 
 
 The Park is almost wholly surrounded by public 
 buildings, some of them of much historic interest To 
 the north stands the Savings Bank building, a beauti- 
 ful modern structure occupied entirely as an office 
 building. Next east is the fine old gray stone structure 
 
of the First Congregational Church, which society has 
 been closely identified with Pittsfield's history from the 
 very first. The early pastor of this church, was the 
 famous " Fighting Parson " Rev. Thomas Allen who led 
 the patriotic men of Berkshire to assist Gen. Stark in 
 the battle of Bennington. Dr. John Todd a famous 
 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 vener- 
 able structure next east, is the old town hall, now en- 
 larged and dignified into the home of the city govern- 
 ment. This building has been the scene of many 
 famous and stirring gatherings and in it was formerly 
 to be seen a most impressive exemplification of the old 
 " Town meeting " idea. Its walls have echoed to the 
 eloquence of such men as Hon Henry L. Dawes, the 
 late Governor Briggs and scores of others who have 
 been prominently identified with state and national 
 affairs. Just beyond the city hall to the east, stands 
 St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, a brown stone edifice 
 of much architectural beauty and located almost ex- 
 actly upon the site of the society's original church 
 building. 
 
 Across the park to the east, stands the Court house, 
 a building constructed of white marble from Sheffield. 
 
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 It is surrounded by broad lawns shaded by fine old 
 elms and is one of the more prominent of the public 
 buildings of the city. To the west of the Court house 
 stands the Athenaeum a very handsome building of 
 native blue stone, the home of the free public library 
 and museum. The building was a gift to the city, by 
 the late Hon. Thomas Allen, a grandson of Parson 
 Allen, and has recently been much enlarged The li- 
 brary contains some 35020 volumes, free to the use of 
 the inhabitants of Pittsfield There is a fine art gal- 
 lery and a very interesting museum in the building 
 
 The city is divided by four main streets named 
 East, West, North and South streets, running from the 
 Park in the directions indicated by the names. All are 
 of good breadth and are well kept, beautiful thorough- 
 fares. From these main streets, others branch in all 
 directions and these are all well kept, finely shaded and 
 lined with comfortable homes. 
 
 Walking down East street from the Park, one sees 
 to the left, the fine residence of the late Thomas Allen, 
 known as "Eagle's Nest." Nearly opposite is the St. 
 Stephen's Rectory, formerly the residence of Edward S. 
 Newton, a fine specimen of old colonial architecture. 
 Next on the east is the fine mansion of Bishop Worthing- 
 ton of Nebraska, which was erected by Hon. Henry VV. 
 
ST. STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 
 
Bishop, the donor of the building of the Training School 
 for Nurses connected with the House of Mercy Hospital. 
 The street is lined with fine old houses, among them 
 "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." 
 
 East street divides into Kim and beaver streets. 
 On* Elm street is the home of Hon. Henry L. Daw.-, 
 ex-Senator of Massachusetts. Elm street leads toward 
 the famous " Grey Tower," the former residence of the 
 Pollock family and in the neighborhood of which a fine 
 residential section is growing up. 
 
 Turning south from the Park, one gazes down as 
 charming a street as can be found in many day's jour- 
 neyings. The roadway is broad and is bordered on 
 either side with turf extending from curb to walk. On 
 both sides of the walks arc rows of stately elms or 
 maples whose dense foliage make most grateful shade. 
 A short distance below the Park, -lands the Berkshire 
 County Home for Aged Women, a substantial brick 
 structure housing a model institution of its kind. A 
 short distance farther down on the opposite side of the 
 street, is the South Church, an offspring of the old 
 First Church. South street like East, is lined with fine 
 
15 
 
 homes among the more notable being the Pingree, the 
 Dr. West, and the Eaton homes. Further on, some- 
 thing like a mile and a half from the Park, stands 
 u Broad Hall," the Morewood place, known to many as 
 the Melville place. The house was built in 1781 by 
 Henry VanSchaack and during its later history, as a 
 boarding house, numbered among its guests Long- 
 fellow, Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and President 
 Tyler. Count Llewenhaupt, the then Danish minister, 
 occupied the house some years ago as a summer resi- 
 dence and entertained there many foreign notables. 
 To the southeast of "Broad Hall" is "Arrowhead," 
 the Melville estate, and here, Herman Melville wrote 
 some of his best works, among them being "Moby 
 Dick," the " Piazza Tales," "My Chimney and I," and 
 " October Mountain." After passing "Broad Hall" 
 one comes to South Mountain from the summit of 
 which delightful views over Pittsfield and on to Grey- 
 lock, towering at the north, may be had. 
 
 Returning to the Park and proceeding north, by 
 North street, one finds himself in the business center 
 of this busy city. The street is lined with substantial 
 business blocks, many of them being of modern con- 
 struction and design. The Berkshire Life Insurance 
 Company's building and the Savings Bank block face 
 
'7 
 
 each other at the south end of the street, and are both 
 striking buildings. Central block, the two England 
 buildings, the Hull & Morton building, Wollison's 
 block, the Wright block, the Merrill and Mills' blocks, 
 and the Melville building are among tile more promi- 
 nent business structures which grace this broad avenue. 
 At tin- bridge is located the New American Hon-' 
 liim modrrn'li >tel building. \t the corner of School 
 str<vt stands the First Baptist Church. Farther up is 
 the handsome property of Si Joseph's Roman Catholic 
 Church, including the striking stone church, the con- 
 vent, and the parochial school in the rear. Just Oppo- 
 site this church, stands the modest little church edifice 
 of the Unitarian society, called Unity Church, A short 
 distance north of these churches, stands Maplewood, 
 one of the most noted and popular summer hotels in 
 the Berkshire Hills. The buildings are fronted by a 
 spacious lawn shaded with elm trees and the spot is a 
 most inviting one. It was formerly occupied as a Can- 
 tonment In the rear of Maplewood and connected 
 with it, is a building of great historical interest, it be- 
 ing what was formerly the old First Church, ami hav- 
 ing the distinction of having been designed by (diaries 
 Bulfinch, the famous architect who designed the old 
 State House at boston. It is an excellent example of 
 
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19 
 the old time church architecture, although the steeple 
 has been greatly curtailed, and 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 people until 185 1. 
 
 Continuing on up North street and bearing to the 
 right, one conies to the House of Mercy, one of the 
 most successful and notable examples of the cottage 
 •hospital to be found in this country. In connection 
 with it is the Henry W. Bishop 3d Memorial Training 
 School for Nurses. 
 
 West street is given up largely to business purposes 
 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 old Governor Briggs' place 
 stands a short distance beyond the railroad. Farther 
 on is the Learned p'ace, and beyond that still, the fine 
 new residence of Mrs H. B Daniels of Denver, Col. 
 The fine Walker place, "Blythewood," lies just to the 
 west of Onota 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 it stands the Methodist Church, one of the 
 
21 
 
 handsomest and most imposing church edifices in the 
 western part of the state. 
 
 Driving off to the southeast, one finds the handsome 
 home of Col. Walter Cutting, and just beyond it, 
 "Holmesdale," the residence of Mrs. William Pollock. 
 Much interest attaches to this place from the fact that 
 it was at one time the residence of Oliver Wendell 
 •Holmes. A short distance to the north, on the middle 
 road, is the Sampson place, a very striking old colonial 
 house beautifully located. To the west, by way of 
 Middle street and Dawes avenue, will be found the 
 club house and links of the Pittsfield Golf Club, the 
 course being one of the best and most popular in the 
 county. 
 
 There are numerous charming outing places in the 
 immediate vicinity, among the most prominent, and 
 certainly the most popular, being Pontoosuc lake. This 
 beautiful sheet of water has an area of some five hun- 
 dred and seventy-five acres and lies at the northern 
 boundary of the city, about two and one-half miles 
 from the city proper. The highway runs along the 
 eastern shore and about the lake are several fine groves 
 where camping and picnic parties find delightful spots 
 for a day's outing. The outlet, or lower end of the 
 lake, is lined with pavilions and private boat houses 
 
and the grove here is open to the public. Along t he- 
 south shore are numerous cottages erected by the 
 townspeople and these are occupied during the entire 
 summer. On the east shore stands the large club house 
 ot the Pittsfield Boat Club, an organization of large 
 membership and great popularity. There are ample 
 accomodations of all kinds and the lake is known far 
 and wide as one of the beauty spots of Berkshire. 
 
 Onota Lake, which lies some two miles to the west 
 of the city, is somewhat larger than Pontoosuc and 
 rivals it in beauty On the east shore is situated Bur- 
 bank Park, owned by the city and as yet unimproved. 
 This is reached by a lovely drive along the east shore 
 running from Peck's road, and is the only portion of 
 the shore open to the public. One of the finest views 
 in the county is gained from West street just south of 
 the lake, the view opening across the water and on to- 
 the towering summit of Greylock at the north end of 
 the county. It is expected that in time a line of street 
 cars will be run to Burbank Park and Onota lake will 
 then be a real rival to Pontoosuc in the matter of pop- 
 ularity as a resort. 
 
 Richmond lake, lying partly in the town of Rich- 
 mond, and Queechy lake, some nine miles west lying in 
 New York state, are other popular sheets of water ad- 
 
25 
 
 jacent to Pittsfield, and there are numerous smaller 
 ponds which have their claims to public favor. 
 
 Driving off to the northwest, to the vicinity of Pot- 
 ter mountain, one may easily visit Lulu cascade, a 
 pretty little fall of water which has long been a favor- 
 ite camping ground and picnic resort. Going this 
 way, one may also visit Balance Rock, Berkshire's 
 greatest natural curiosity. This great boulder is so 
 evenly balanced that it may be moved by a lever, and 
 it is well worth visiting. 
 
 Visitors will be interested in going to Dalton, a 
 very pretty town six miles to the east, where is situated 
 the famous government mill where the United States 
 bond and bank note papers are made and also the great 
 paper mills of the Cranes' Dalton is the home of 
 Governor W Murray Crane, and the residences of the 
 Crane families are among the handsomest in the 
 county. While at Dalton, visitors should make the 
 trip to Wahconah falls, a mile or two beyond the town, 
 as it is a spot of great beauty and much historic in- 
 terest. 
 
 Pittsfield's main street leads directly to Lenox, the 
 famous resort which lies some six miles south of the 
 city, the drive thence being one of the finest in all the 
 county. At Lenox may be seen some of the handsom- 
 
27 
 
 est and largest private residences in the United States 
 and the views from its many hills are unsurpassed. On 
 the road to Lenox, a short distance south of the city, 
 will be found the entrance to South Mountain, which 
 commands a charming view of Pittsfield and its sur- 
 roundings. A good road leads to the top of the moun- 
 tain. 
 
 Another popular outing place, is Perry's Peak, a 
 sightly eminence situated at Richmond, a few miles to 
 the southwest. From its summit one finds magnificent 
 views in all directions, the one which looks down across 
 Queechy lake being particularly fine. 
 
 All of these pleasure spots are easily accessible by 
 team or wheel, and many of them are within easy walk- 
 ing distance of the center of the city Full directions 
 as to reaching these and all other points of interest, 
 are given in the pamphlet "Drives and Walks" which 
 is issued gratuitously by the Berkshire Life Insurance 
 Company. 
 
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