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History of Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA
Journey back in time to Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA
(Berkshire)
Explore Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Lanesborough Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!
Lanesborough, Berkshire, MA
One of the first Berkshire communities to be settled, Lanesborough was originally known as "New Framingham", carved from part of Northern Berkshire Township #6. Lanesborough was first settled in 1753 and was officially incorporated in 1765. It was renamed Lanesborough, for the Countess of Lanesborough, a friend of Governor Francis Bernard, who incorporated the town. kids.kiddle.co
Lanesborough includes: Berkshire, Brennon's Hill, and Gunn's Grove.
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Lanesborough Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - The Village Street, Lanesboro, Mass.){kind=small}
The Village Street, Lanesboro, Mass.
Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Hillcrest, former Home of "Josh Billings", Lanesboro, Mass.
"[Josh Billings] The humorist was one of a dozen children of Scotch-Irish farmer and lawyer Henry Vinal Shaw (1788-1857) and Laura Wheeler (1791-1871). The senior Shaw built the homestead in 1814 then in 1828 he put up a new brick home on Main Street he called Hillcrest. It was opposite Colby's iron furnace, where the library is now. Noise and sooty air drove Shaw to move to New York state after 20 years. Hillcrest, later called Hillcrest Inn, burned in 1974..." The Berkshire Eagle, January 30, 2015){kind=small}
Hillcrest, former Home of "Josh Billings", Lanesboro, Mass.
"[Josh Billings] The humorist was one of a dozen children of Scotch-Irish farmer and lawyer Henry Vinal Shaw (1788-1857) and Laura Wheeler (1791-1871). The senior Shaw built the homestead in 1814 then in 1828 he put up a new brick home on Main Street he called Hillcrest. It was opposite Colby's iron furnace, where the library is now. Noise and sooty air drove Shaw to move to New York state after 20 years. Hillcrest, later called Hillcrest Inn, burned in 1974..." The Berkshire Eagle, January 30, 2015
Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Evangelical Federated Church, Lanesboro, Mass.){kind=small}
Evangelical Federated Church, Lanesboro, Mass.
Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to LANESBOROUGH
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Discover Lanesborough: History, News, Travel, and Stories
1839 - Lanesborough
Lanesborough, Massachusetts
Berkshire county. This township lies on elevated ground, the sources of some of the head branches of Housatonick and Hoosack rivers. It is situated on two hills, with an intervening valley. The lands in the valley are very luxuriant, and the hilly parts are admirably adapted for grazing. Lanesborough is a beautiful town, under good cultivation, and very productive. The inhabitants are principally farmers, who make agriculture a business, and reap its rewards. In 1837 there were in this town 12,333 sheep, whose fleeces weighed 42,489 lbs., estimated at $26,100. Limestone abounds here; also beautiful marble, and graphic slate. There is a delightful pond partly in this town and partly in Pittsfield: it contains trout and other fine fish.—Lanesborough was incorporated, 1765. Population, 1837, 1,090. It lies 125 miles W. by N. from Boston and 11 N. from Lenox.
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
Lanesborough, Massachusetts
Berkshire county. This township lies on elevated ground, the sources of some of the head branches of Housatonick and Hoosack rivers. It is situated on two hills, with an intervening valley. The lands in the valley are very luxuriant, and the hilly parts are admirably adapted for grazing. Lanesborough is a beautiful town, under good cultivation, and very productive. The inhabitants are principally farmers, who make agriculture a business, and reap its rewards. In 1837 there were in this town 12,333 sheep, whose fleeces weighed 42,489 lbs., estimated at $26,100. Limestone abounds here; also beautiful marble, and graphic slate. There is a delightful pond partly in this town and partly in Pittsfield: it contains trout and other fine fish.—Lanesborough was incorporated, 1765. Population, 1837, 1,090. It lies 125 miles W. by N. from Boston and 11 N. from Lenox.
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 - LANESBOROUGH. [Pop. 1,140. Inc. 1765.]
Lanesborough was first granted to some citizens of Framingham, in Middlesex county, and it once included a part of Cheshire.
The first settlers were somewhat troubled during the French and Indian wars, but did not suffer seriously.
The town is situated on a source of the Housatonic, which runs through a large and beautiful pond. A source of the Hoosick also rises in Lanesborough.
The land is good, and agriculture is the main employment. Many valuable sheep graze upon the hills, and iron ore and excellent marble abound beneath them.
Distance from Lenox, 11 miles ; from Boston, 125.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Lanesborough was first granted to some citizens of Framingham, in Middlesex county, and it once included a part of Cheshire.
The first settlers were somewhat troubled during the French and Indian wars, but did not suffer seriously.
The town is situated on a source of the Housatonic, which runs through a large and beautiful pond. A source of the Hoosick also rises in Lanesborough.
The land is good, and agriculture is the main employment. Many valuable sheep graze upon the hills, and iron ore and excellent marble abound beneath them.
Distance from Lenox, 11 miles ; from Boston, 125.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
1854 - Lanesborough
Lanesborough, a post-village of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, 125 miles W. by N. from Boston. It is built chiefly on one ex tended street, and contains 3 churches, an academy, and several stores. The new state prison has recently been located here. Population of the township, 1229.
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.
Lanesborough, a post-village of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, 125 miles W. by N. from Boston. It is built chiefly on one ex tended street, and contains 3 churches, an academy, and several stores. The new state prison has recently been located here. Population of the township, 1229.
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.
Lanesborough Massachusetts, 1890
Lanesborough is one of the most delightful towns in Berkshire County. Berkshire village, in the southeast part of the town — its railroad station, — is about 156 miles west of Boston by the Boston and Albany and the Housatonic railroads. The other village, Lanesborough (centre), is about two miles northwest, in the valley of the Housatonic River. Both villages are post-offices. The town itself lies near the centre of the northern half of the county. New Ashford is on the north; Cheshire lies on the northeast — the divisional line following a spur of the Hoosac Mountains in a very zigzag course; on the east is Dalton, on the south Pittsfield, and on the west Hancock. A spur of the Taconic range also marks the boundary on this side. The town-ship is six miles long and from three to six wide. The assessed area is 17,274 acres. This includes 5,571 acres of forest, consisting of beech, maple, ash and chestnut.
The Housatonic, flowing from the north through the midst of the town, spreads ... Read MORE...
Lanesborough is one of the most delightful towns in Berkshire County. Berkshire village, in the southeast part of the town — its railroad station, — is about 156 miles west of Boston by the Boston and Albany and the Housatonic railroads. The other village, Lanesborough (centre), is about two miles northwest, in the valley of the Housatonic River. Both villages are post-offices. The town itself lies near the centre of the northern half of the county. New Ashford is on the north; Cheshire lies on the northeast — the divisional line following a spur of the Hoosac Mountains in a very zigzag course; on the east is Dalton, on the south Pittsfield, and on the west Hancock. A spur of the Taconic range also marks the boundary on this side. The town-ship is six miles long and from three to six wide. The assessed area is 17,274 acres. This includes 5,571 acres of forest, consisting of beech, maple, ash and chestnut.
The Housatonic, flowing from the north through the midst of the town, spreads ... Read MORE...
1895 - Berkshire
Berkshire, a post-village of Berkshire co., Mass., in Lanesborough township, on the Pittsfield & North Adams Railroad, 6 miles N.N.E. of Pittsfield. It has a chapel and a manufactory of window-glass.
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
Berkshire, a post-village of Berkshire co., Mass., in Lanesborough township, on the Pittsfield & North Adams Railroad, 6 miles N.N.E. of Pittsfield. It has a chapel and a manufactory of window-glass.
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
1895 - Lanesborough
Lanesborough, länz'bür-rüh, a post-village and town ship of Berkshire co, Mass., 5 miles N. of Pittsfield, and nearly 2 miles W. of the Pittsfield & North Adams Railroad. It has 4 churches. Marble is found in this township, which has also manufactures of iron, glass, &c. Pop. 1357.
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
Lanesborough, länz'bür-rüh, a post-village and town ship of Berkshire co, Mass., 5 miles N. of Pittsfield, and nearly 2 miles W. of the Pittsfield & North Adams Railroad. It has 4 churches. Marble is found in this township, which has also manufactures of iron, glass, &c. Pop. 1357.
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
Lanesboro, a post-village and township (town) of Berkshire co., Mass., 5 miles N. of Pittsfield. Pop. of the town in 1900, 780.
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
Lanesboro, a post-village and township (town) of Berkshire co., Mass., 5 miles N. of Pittsfield. Pop. of the town in 1900, 780.
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 Lanesborough:
Mount Greylock State Reservation:
Start your visit with a trip to Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. Hiking trails, scenic views, and a visit to the War Memorial Tower are must-dos.
Balance Rock State Park:
Explore this unique geological formation, where a massive boulder seems to defy gravity. It's a great spot for a short hike and some fantastic photo opportunities.
Pontoosuc Lake:
If you're into water activities, head to Pontoosuc Lake. You can go fishing, kayaking, or just enjoy a peaceful lakeside picnic.
Berkshire Mall:
For some retail therapy, check out the Berkshire Mall. It's a hub for shopping and dining, perfect for a casual day out.
Lanesborough Historical Society:
Dive into the town's history at the local historical society. You might discover interesting stories and artifacts that give you a glimpse into Lanesborough's past.
Wahconah Falls State Park:
A short drive away, Wahconah Falls offers a serene setting with walking ... Read MORE...
Mount Greylock State Reservation:
Start your visit with a trip to Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. Hiking trails, scenic views, and a visit to the War Memorial Tower are must-dos.
Balance Rock State Park:
Explore this unique geological formation, where a massive boulder seems to defy gravity. It's a great spot for a short hike and some fantastic photo opportunities.
Pontoosuc Lake:
If you're into water activities, head to Pontoosuc Lake. You can go fishing, kayaking, or just enjoy a peaceful lakeside picnic.
Berkshire Mall:
For some retail therapy, check out the Berkshire Mall. It's a hub for shopping and dining, perfect for a casual day out.
Lanesborough Historical Society:
Dive into the town's history at the local historical society. You might discover interesting stories and artifacts that give you a glimpse into Lanesborough's past.
Wahconah Falls State Park:
A short drive away, Wahconah Falls offers a serene setting with walking ... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Lanesborough Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about 163 ancestors who were born or died in Lanesborough.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
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