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Pittsfield, Massachusetts | |
| Founded as Pontoosuck Plantation in 1753, Pittsfield was later renamed in honor of British Prime Minister William Pitt, who championed the colonists’ cause before the American Revolution. | ||
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Water power brought commerce and industry, helping Pittsfield (map) to grow into the largest town (population 7500) in the Berkshire Hills. The Merino sheep brought from Spain in 1807 provided the raw material to make Pittsfield a woolen manufacturing center. In 1891 Pittsfield electrical entrepreneur William Stanley produced the first electric transformer, giving birth to a company later to be known as General Electric. As with so many New England towns, changing trade and commerce patterns took away many of Pittsfield's sources of wealth later in the 20th century, so the city redefined itself as the commercial and cultural center of the Berkshires. Near Pittsfield, don't miss Hancock Shaker Village, a living museum to the thrifty, devoted, artistic Shaker way of life. |
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South Street and North
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