History of Dalton, Massachusetts, USA

Dalton was first settled in 1755.

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1784 - Dalton officially incorporated as a town.

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

In 1801, Zenas Crane, Henry Wiswall and John Willard set up a paper mill along the East Branch of the Housatonic River.

wikipedia.org

Read more about Zenas CRANE

1839 - Dalton
Dalton, Massachusetts
Berkshire county. Dalton lies 120 miles W. from Boston and 13 N. by E. from Lenox. Incorporated, 1784. Population, 1837, 830. It is watered by the E. branch of Housatonick river. Its manufactures consist of woolen cloth, iron castings, paper, ($37,500,) leather, boots and shoes. Total amount in one year, $47,815. In 1837, the product of 4,238 sheep was 11,852 pounds of wool, valued at $5,725.
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

By 1844, Crane & Co. in Dalton had begun producing bank note paper, which was purchased by banks all the way to Boston.

wikipedia.org

1845 - DALTON. [Pop. 1,255. Inc. 1784.]
This town was named after the Hon. Tristram Dalton, then Speaker of the House of Representatives.

It is situated on the eastern branch of the Housatonic, and the land is generally productive.
Paper and woollen goods are the chief manufactures.

Distance from Lenox, 10 miles; from Boston, 120.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1854 - Dalton
Dalton, a post-township of Berkshire county. Massachusetts, on the Western rail road, 146 miles W. from Boston. It has several factories. Population, 1020.
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
DALTON, a township of Berkshire co., in the state of Massachusetts, 125 m. W of Boston, watered by branches of Housatonic river. It has a level surface and possesses considerable fertility. Pop. 1,255.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

Dalton Massachusetts, 1890 A Gazetteer of the State of Massachusetts, with Numerous Illustrations Rev. Elias Nason, M.A.; revised and enlarged by George J. Varney. Boston: B.B. Russell. 1890, 724 pages
"Dalton, celebrated for the manufacture of paper, is a long, narrow township in the central part of Berkshire County, 146 miles from Boston by the Boston and Albany Railroad, which runs across the middle. It is bounded on the north by Cheshire, east by Windsor and Hinsdale, south by Washington, and west by Pittsfield, Lanesborough and Cheshire.

The population is 2,113, and the number of dwelling-houses 376. The township is about ten miles in extreme length north and south, and about two miles at the narrowest part. The assessed area is 13,493 acres; of which 5,704 acres are woodland, consisting chiefly of pine, oak, maple and elm.

A range of compact hills crosses the midst of the northern half of the town; and the southeast is occupied by four or five hills of larger area. Among these are, of things curious or beautiful, the Wizard's Glen, Cold Spring and Waconah Falls. There is a tract of level country at the northeast and a smaller trace at the southwest, the latter well... Read MORE...

1895 - Dalton
Dalton, a post-town of Berkshire co, Mass., on the Boston & Albany Railroad, 5 miles E.N.E. of Pittsfield. It has 3 churches, graded schools, and manufactures of paper, woollem-goods, and shoes. Pop. 2885.
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

1905 - DALTON MAN HIT BY CAR. Nelson Goodrow Killed Near Government Mill - Once Before Had Narrow Escape.
Nelson Goodrow of Dalton, a stone-mason was run over by an east-bound electric car and instantly killed last evening about 7 o'clock, at a point a short distance east of the government mill at Dalton. The car was in charge of Conductor Frank B. Ruff and Motorman Frederick You, and was runing slowly when the accident occurred.

Goodrow, according to the story told by the motorman and Peck Davin, a farmer living in the vicinity, was walking along the road toward his home, and suddenly attempted to cross the tracks when the car was but a short distance behind him. Yon applied the air brake, reversed the controler, and did everything possible to avert the accident, but the car could not be stopped until the wheels of the forward truck passed over Goodrow's abdomen. The body was left in charge of Mr Davin and an employe of the street railway company, and the car proceeded to Dalton.

Medical Examiner Colt of Pittsfield was notified by telephone by Conductor Ruff, and viewed the body.... Read MORE...

1910 - FATAL CRASH IN TROLLEY LINE MAY END ITS CAREER. Pittsfield Alderman Order Two Branches Closed. Dalton to Oust It? ALL OF 57 INJURED EXPECTED TO LIVE.
Senator Crane Complained to the State Board of Faulty Service Two Weeks Ago.

Pittsfield, Feb. 9. - A whirlwind of public indignation that has already resulted in summary official action and that may sweep the Pittsfield street railway out of existence is the sequel of the accident today in which a big double-trucked electric car of the company ran wild down a steep grade at Dalton and crashed into a railway bridge abutment at the foot, killing one passenger and injuring fifty-seven others.

Two Branches Closed.
Two of the branch lines operated by the company were closed by order of the Pittsfield Board of Aldermen at a special meeting held tonight. In Dalton, a special town meeting called for Feb. 21 will consider a proposition looking toward the ousting of the Pittsfield Street Railway Company from Dalton for poor service and inadequate equipment.
Hit Roosevelt's Coach.

It is not only because of today's accident that public sentiment runs high. The road has figured in a... Read MORE...

1916
Dalton, a post- township (town) of Berkshire co., Mass., on the Boston and Albany R., 5 miles ENE. of Pittsfield. It has manufactures of paper, woollen goods, and shoes. Pop. in 1900, 3014.
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 go and things to do in and around Dalton:
Pittsfield State Forest:

Start your exploration of Dalton with a visit to Pittsfield State Forest. This 11,000-acre forest is perfect for hiking, picnicking, fishing, and wildlife watching. There are several trails of varying lengths and difficulties, so you can choose one that suits your preferences.

Bousquet Mountain:

If you're visiting in the winter, head to Bousquet Mountain for skiing and snowboarding. In the warmer months, they offer activities like zip-lining and an adventure park with ropes courses and waterslides.

Crane Museum of Papermaking:

Dalton has a rich history in papermaking, and you can learn all about it at the Crane Museum of Papermaking. The museum features exhibits on the history of paper, the papermaking process, and the role Crane & Co. played in the industry.

Wahconah Falls State Park:

A short drive from Dalton, Wahconah Falls State Park is a hidden gem. The park is home to a stunning 40-foot waterfall, and there are hiking trails that... Read MORE...