History of Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

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.