History of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA

Journey back in time to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA

(Coltsville)

• Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA
  In 1738, a wealthy Bostonian, Col. Jacob Wendell, bought 24,000 acres (97 km2) of lands known originally as Pontoosuck, a Mohican Indian word meaning ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1752 - Pittsfield is settled
  
  Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  
  
• 1761 - Pittsfield is incorporated
  
  Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  
  
• 1814 - First Agricultural Fair in America
  Elkanah Watson exhibited his two Marino sheep on the public square in Pittsfield in 1807. The Massachusetts born Watson is without question “the...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1845 - PITTSFIELD. [Pop. 8,747. Inc. 1761.]
  Pittsfield was granted to Boston, and called Boston Plantation, No. 3.
  
  The Indian name of this town was Poontoosuck, and it was named Pittsfield,...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Engstrom's Antiseptic Soothing Ointment
  Advertisement
  
• 1854 - Pittsfield
  Pittsfield, a flourishing post-town of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, on the Western railroad, at the northern terminus of the Housatonic railroad, ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  1855 view of Pittsfield from a newspaper
  Source: en.wikipedia.org - image is in the public domain
  
•  1859 - A German Religious Society
  We are informed that there is much religious interest among the German population of this vicinity. They have organized a parish under the name of...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1859 - First Intercollegiate Baseball Game
  In 1859, the first intercollegiate baseball game is played in Pittsfield. Amherst defeats Williams College 73-32.
  
  "And I think a lot of folks,...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• February 23, 1860 - German Lutheran Church
  The German Lutheran Society in this town, of which the Rev. Mr. Grotrian, a very excellent man, is pastor, have been engaged for some time in...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1865 - 19 Marriageable Ladies
  In one short street in Pittsfield, Mass., there are nineteen marriageable young ladies, and not an offer. Chicago will supply the nineteen offers on...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1868 - Train Derailment
  A train on the Housatonic Railway was thrown from the track, on the 18th, by a broken rail. Every passenger was injured, Miss Sarah Hayes, of...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Date: December 03, 1868
  Location: Massachusetts
  Paper: Pittsfield Sun
  genealogybank.com
  
•  1869 - Worth the Pie?
  An apprentice boy in Pittsfield, Mass., who was exceedingly fond of mince pies, was told by a lady that she would give him one if he would sit upon...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1871 - Escaped from Jail
  A burglar escaped from the jail at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, last week, in an ingenious manner. He began by digging into the wall of his cell,...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1871 - Quite a Mean Man
  The Pittsfield Mass., Eagle has unearthed the mean man of that village. He is 50 years old, worth $15,000, has driven all his four boys away from...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1872 - Buried in Pittsfield
  The Pittsfield (Mass.) Eagle says that a South Berkshire father, whose child recently died of small pox, being anxious to bury it in a Pittsfield...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1877 - Arrest and Escape from Prussia
  Jacob Straub, a naturalized citizen resident of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, just returned from a visit to his parents near Stroudsberg, Prussia, gives ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1879 - Thieves in Men's Clothing
  Two women were caught in men's clothes stealing rare plants from a conservatory at Pittsfield, Mass.; and a visit by officer to their home, a few...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1882 - Tree of Life
  A quack physician of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, takes his medicine for all diseases from a bottle labelled: "Water from the tree of life." With this...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1884 - Tried to Repel Burglars
  Francis Kernochan, a manufacturer of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, arose in the night to repel burglars, but stumbled on the stairway and shot himself...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1885 - 100th Birthday
  Mrs. Elizabeth Granger, of Pittsfield, Mass., who has been a widow seventy-five years, celebrated her one hundredth birthday anniversary...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• Pittsfield Massachusetts, 1890
  "PITTSFIELD, the seat of justice in Berkshire County, is a large flourishing town, distinguished for the beauty of its scenery, its noble farms and...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Berkshire Brewing Association Plant "Then and Now"
  Thanks to Steve Roberts
  
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  Berkshire Life Insurance Building
  Postcard
  
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  Hotel Wendell
  Postcard
  
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  1890 Parade down North Street
  
  Berkshire Athenaeum
  Photograph
  
• 1891 - Pittsfield is incorporated as a city
  In 1891, the City of Pittsfield is incorporated, and William Stanley, Jr., who had recently relocated his Electric Manufacturing Company to...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Berkshire Brewing Association (352 Columbus Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 1891-1918) bottle opener. Thanks to Scott Pepoon for the photo.
  
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  Berkshire Brewing Association (352 Columbus Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 1891-1918) tray. Thanks to Scott Pepoon for the photo.
  
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  Berkshire Brewing Association (352 Columbus Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 1891-1918) tray. Thanks to Scott Pepoon for the photo.
  
• 1895 - Pittsfield
  Pittsfield, a beautiful city, the capital of Berkshire co., Mass., in Pittsfield township, on the Housatonic River, and on the Boston & Albany...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Hurlbut's High Grade Papers
  Hurlbut Stationery Co., Pittsfield, Mass.
  
  The Ladies' Home Journal
  February 1898
  Advertisement
  
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  North Street, Pittsfield, Mass.
  Postcard
  
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  East Street and First Congregational Church, Pittsfield, Mass.
  Postcard
  
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  Pontoosuc Lake, Pittsfield, Mass.
  Postcard
  
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  First Baptist Church
  Postcard
  
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  Maplewood Hotel. Pittsfield, Mass.
  Postcard
  
•  1902 - PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT MIRACULOUSLY ESCAPES DEATH FROM AN ELECTRIC CAR WHICH RUNS DOWN HIS CARRIAGE AND KILLS SECRET SERVICE AGENT.
  EXECUTIVE CAUGHT IN WRECK AND BRUISED.
  
  BRAVE GUARD AND THE DRIVER ARE MANGLED.
  
  SECRETARY CORTELYOU ALSO RECEIVES INJURIES.
  
  Pittsfield,...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1902 - Roosevelt
  On September 3, 1902, at 10:15 AM, during a two-week tour through New England campaigning for Republican congressmen, the barouche transporting...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1903 - Fire In Brewery Barn
  Stubborn Blaze Keeps Firemen Busy for Hours
  Loss Will Be Fully $3000 - Great Crowd Out.
  
  From Tuesday's Eagle.
  By far the most serious...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1905 - BERKSHIRE COUNTY. PITTSFIELD. Freight Handler Injured.
  John W. Bline, a freight handler employed by the Boston and Albany railroad company, sustained a deep scalp wound and a number of severe bruises late ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  East Street
  Postcard
  
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  High School
  Postcard
  
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  House of Mercy Hospital
  Postcard
  
• 1906
  Pittsfield, a city, the capital of Berkshire co., Mass., on the Housatonic River and on the Boston and Albany and the New York, New Haven and...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Van Sicklers Mill, 1906
  Postcard
  
•  1907 - MISS ROBINSON’S BODY FOUND. Recovered From Pontoosuc Lake Early Yesterday Afternoon — Clothing Did Not Catch Fire.
  At 2:30 yesterday afternoon the body of Miss Lucy May Robinson, who was drowned Tuesday night in Pontoosuc lake following the burning of the launch...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1908 - BERKSHIRE COUNTY. PITTSFIELD. DAMAGE BY HIGH WIND.
  Trees Blown Over, Buildings Damaged and Wires Down as Result of Lively Storm.
  
  A wind and rainstorm that passed over Pittsfield Saturday morning...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Art Museum
  Postcard
  
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  The Athenaeum
  Postcard
  
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  Entrance to Cemetery and Mortuary Chapel
  Postcard
  
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  City Hall & St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
  Postcard
  
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  Dalton Ave., looking East
  Postcard
  
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  Central Fire Station
  Postcard
  
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  Old Ladies Home
  Postcard
  
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  Longfellow House, East Street
  Postcard
  
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  Post Office, 1910
  Postcard
  
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  Boston & Albany Railroad Depot, 1910
  Postcard
  
•  1912 - Ty Cobb Offered Match - Wanted in Pittsfield, Mass., to Meet Billy Mantel
  Failing to induce Young Britt or George Chaney to sign agreements for a match, Ty Cobb, the Philadelphian, will likely leave the city in a few days...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  The New American Hotel
  Postcard
  
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  Stanley Electric
  Postcard
  
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  West Street from Park
  Postcard
  
•  1916 - Wire Netting Bathing Suit
  A Pittsfield (Mass). man says he will invent a wire netting bathing suit which will be worn in water invaded by sharks.
  genealogybank.com
  Miami Herald Record
  Miami, Florida
  August 28, 1916
  
  
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  South St. Pittsfield, MA - 1916
  
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  Masonic Temple, 1917
  Postcard
  
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  Savings Bank
  Postcard
  
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  Y.M.C.A.
  Postcard
  
•  1927 - Andrew de Giorgis Slips from Sewer Pipe While Trying to Cross Housatonic River on It.
  Pittsfield, May 22.— Andrew de Giorgis, 42, of 3 Naples avenue, was drowned in the east branch of the Housatonic river near the Newell-street bridge...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  Tuesday, October 13, 1942 - Looking Backward - 50 Years Ago
  Old wooden building used as brewery for many years by Gimlich & White and located in rear of newer brick brewery, torn down.
  The Berkshire Evening Eagle
  Pittsfield, Massachusetts
  October 13, 1942
  
  
•  Tuesday, February 5, 1946 - 25 years ago
  Berkshire Brewing Association votes to brew beer no longer, but turn to soft drinks because of prohibition. Officers President David J Gimlich, vice...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  Thursday, January 29, 1948 - Looking Backward - 50 Years Ago
  Gimlich & White are storing immense quantities of ice from Silver Lake. Twenty teams are drawing the cakes and 40 men are cutting and stacking.
  The Berkshire Evening Eagle
  Pittsfield, Massachusetts
  January 29, 1948
  
  
•  1949 - Lutheran Church to Mark 90th Anniversary Sunday
  More than 900 members of Zion Lutheran Church will celebrate the church's 90th anniversary Sunday morning at 10.45 at the worship service and at a...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  363 Columbus Ave, Pittsfield, Massachusetts - Home of Jacob and Louisa Ellen Feige Gimlich
  Thanks to Steve Roberts
  
•  Thursday, September 14, 2006 - Officials: Fire set on purpose
  Benning W. De La Mater
  Thursday, September 14 PITTSFIELD -- Fire investigators determined the fire that scorched a condemned house at 363 Columbus...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - Condemned property burns
  Benning W. De La Mater
  Wednesday, September 13 PITTSFIELD - A blaze that drew dozens of firefighters and nearly 100 spectators to an abandoned house ...Read MORE...