History of Peru, Massachusetts, USA

Peru, Massachusetts
Berkshire county. This is a rough and mountainous town, wherein branches of Housatonick and Westfield rivers rise. It was formerly called Partridgefield and incorporated by that name in 1771. The soil is cold but adapted for grazing. The inhabitants are chiefly farmers. Population, 1837, 656. In that year 6,127 sheep were sheared in this town; the value of the wool, which weighed 18,381 lbs., was $11,948. Peru lies 111 miles W. from Boston, 18 N.E. from Lenox, and 47 E. Albany, N.Y. It is the highest land between the Connecticut and Hudson rivers.

Peru included the greater part of Hinsdale, and was called Partridgefield, after one of its two owners, until 1806.

The surface is mountainous, and gives rise to several sources of the Housatonic and Westfield River, which run in opposite directions.

The soil is cold and often sterile, but not unfit for grazing. Excellent lime is found in the town.

Distance From Lenox, 18 miles ; from Boston, 111.

Peru, a post-township in Berkshire co., Mass., 112 miles W. from Boston. Pop., 519.

Peru is a mountainous and sparsely settled farming town near the middle of the eastern side of Berkshire County, 140 miles west of Boston, and about 5 miles east of the Boston and Albany Railroad station in Hinsdale — bounding this town on the west. On the north the boundary is Windsor; on the east, Cummington and Worthington; and on the south, Middlefield and Washington. The area is about 27 square miles, of which 16,019 acres are assessed. Of these, 3,328 acres are forests of beech, maple and spruce. The land is elevated, rough and rocky. French's Mountain rises near the centre of the township to a height of 2,239 feet: The church on Peru Hill, near the western border, is so situated that water falling from one side of the roof finds its way into the Westfield River, and from the other side into the Housatonic. The largest watercourse is Fuller's Stream, draining the central portion of the town.. Some excellent limestone has been quarried here. There is much rock of a flinty, and...

Peru, a post-hamlet of Berkshire co, Mass., in Peru township, 12. miles E. of Pittsfield. It has a church and 2 saw-mills. Pop. of the township, 443.

Peru, a post-village of Berkhsire co., Mass., in Peru township (town), 12 miles E. of Pittsfield. Pop. of the town in 1900, 253.