History of Charlemont, Massachusetts, USA

1742 - Charlemont is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1765 - The town of Charlemont is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Charlemont
Charlemont, Massachusetts
Franklin county. Deerfield river meanders through this town, and gives it a good water power. Garrisons were erected here in 1754, against the savage French and Indians. Their remains are now visible. Incorporated, 1765. Population, 1837, 994. It lies 110 miles W.N.W. from Boston and 14 W. by N. from Greenfield. Although this is a mountainous township, it contains much valuable land. It maintains about 5,000 merino and other sheep. Its manufactures consist of boots, shoes, leather, iron castings, axes, hoes, palm-leaf hats, saddlery, scythe snaiths, and lather boxes.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - CHARLEMONT. [Pop. 1,127. Inc. 1765.]
Charlemont once contained a part of Buckland and Heath, and was composed of Boston Plantation, No. 1, and the largest part of a tract called Zoar.

Deerfield River, flows through this mountainous town, presenting much beautiful scenery.

Mount Peak, the highest hill, is above one thousand feet high.

The town being on the frontiers, was considerably annoyed by the Indians, in the French wars.

Agriculture and the raising of sheep are the chief employment of the inhabitants.

Distance from Greenfield, 17 miles; from Boston, 104.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1848 - Charlemont
This town was incorporated in 1765. During the French and Indian wars, this being one of the frontier towns, it was open to their ravages, in the limits of this town were three garrisons, Taylor's, Rice's, and Hawk's. These were of a cordon of fortifications projected by Col. Williams in the year 1754. These works were either mounts, a diminutive kind of block-house, or stockaded dwelling-houses, bearing the names of the resident families, defensible only against musketry. In June, 1755, as a party of people were at work in a meadow in the upper part of Charlemont, near Rice's fort, they were attacked by a party of Indians; Captain Rice and Phineas Rice were killed, and Titus King, and Asa Rice, a lad, were captured, conveyed to Crown Point, and from thence to Canada. King was some time afterward carried to France, then to England, and from thence he returned to Northampton, his native place. The Congregational church in this town was organized in Jutie, 1788; the Rev. Isaac Babbit,... Read MORE...

1854 - Charlemont
Charlemont, a post-township of Franklin county, Massachusetts, 100 miles W. by N. from Boston, intersected by Deerfield river. Population, 1173.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1859
CHARLEMONT, a township in Franklin co., in the state of Massachusetts, U. S., 109 m. W by N of Boston. Pop. 1,127.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

Charlemont Massachusetts, 1890
Charlemont is a long and narrow township lying along the Deerfield River, whose general course here is slightly south of east. It is in the western part of Franklin County, about 125 miles northwest of Boston by rail. The region is quite mountainous, and the outline of the town is very irregular. Rowe, Heath and Colrain bound it on the north; the latter and Shelburne on the east; Buckland and Hawley on the south; and Savoy and Florida on the west. The assessed area is 15,496 acres; and, of this, 5,100 acres are forest, consisting of maple, beech and birch. The villages are East Charlemont, Charlemont (centre) and Zoar.

The Deerfield River runs through the western half of the town, then forms the divisional line the entire length of Buckland; and, by a northward curve to receive the North River, it forms, with that stream, the eastern line. The Fitchburg Railroad follows the general course of the river, but, forced by its bends, crosses six times, delighting the traveller with the... Read MORE...

1895 - Charlemont
Char’lemont, a post-village of Franklin co., Mass., in Charlemont township, on Deerfield River, and on the Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad, 8 miles E.S.E. of the Hoosac Tunnel, and 15 miles E.S.E. of North Adams. It has 4 churches and manufactures of lumber. Pop. of the township, 1029.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1916
Char'lemont, a post-village of Franklin co., Mass., in Charlemont township (town), on the Deerfield River and on the Boston and Maine R., 15 miles ESE. of North Adams. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1094.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Here's a list of places to see and things to do in Charlemont:
Mohawk Trail State Forest:

Start your exploration of Charlemont at the Mohawk Trail State Forest, known for its stunning foliage during the fall season.

Hike along the scenic trails, including the popular Indian Trail, which leads to a beautiful waterfall.

Picnic areas, a swimming area, and opportunities for wildlife watching make this a perfect spot for nature lovers.

Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort:

If you're an adventure enthusiast, Zoar Outdoor is the place to be. They offer a wide range of activities like whitewater rafting, zip-lining, kayaking, and rock climbing.

It's a fantastic spot for both beginners and experienced adventurers, with guided tours available.

Berkshire East Mountain Resort:

This year-round outdoor resort offers activities such as skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and mountain biking, zip-lining, and a mountain coaster during the summer.

The Thunder Mountain Bike Park at Berkshire East is a mecca for mountain bikers with... Read MORE...