Shaleigh Breen Human Geography Spring 2010

Home Town Survey

I.

Adams, Massachusetts
Translation: There is no literal translation of the name Adams but the town was named in honor of the patriot and revolutionary figure Samuel Adams. Nickname: Little Poland Nicknamed After: A large portion of the population consists of the Polish community that has resided in the town for many generations. Known for: The civil rights leader, abolitionist and suffragist Susan B. Anthony was born in Adams and her familys home still stands today, newly renovated into a museum. Date of Founding or Charter: 1778 Political Significance (current and historical): Adams is fairly significant for its political history. George N. Briggs, a Massachusetts Governor was born in Adams, as was U.S. Congressman George P. Lawrence. President William McKinley visited Adams on two separate occasions as he had close relations with the Plunkett family who resided in Adams. McKinley laid the initial brick in the building of the Adams Public Library. Currently, Adams doesnt have great political significance. Although the opening of the B.A.R.T. charter school caused some turmoil on the local and state levels between officials. This was in regards to town funding from the state for educational purposes. Date of Original Survey: The town of Adams was first surveyed in 1739 and again in 1749. The surveyed land became the East Hoosac Township, which included what is now Adams and North Adams. By Whom: The initial survey was done by Nathan Kellogg and the second by a committee of the General Court of Britain. Population: 8, 809

II. Location
State: Massachusetts County: Berkshire County Township: East Hoosac Latitude and Longitude: 42.63 N, -73.12 W

Township and Range: East Hoosac was seven mile long (north to south) and five miles wide (east to west). Elevation above Sea Level: Adams is approximately 751 feet above sea level. General Topographic Features: Adams lies along a valley set between the Taconic Range in the west and the Hoosac Range of the Berkshires to the East. The town sits at the base of Mount Greylock which is the highest point in Massachusetts and a resting point along the Appalachian Trail. Landforms: The town is surrounded by the Taconic and Hoosac Ranges which are comprised of rolling hills. Mount Greylock is the highest peak in Massachusetts and part of the town of Adams and the Mount Greylock State Reservation. Soils: There are areas consisting of gravel and clay throughout the town and regions of silt deposits along the Hoosac River. Paxton soil is considered the official state soil of Massachusetts and is a fine sandy soil derived from schist, gneiss, and granite. Nearest Large Body of Water: The largest body of water is the Hoosac River which runs directly through the town of Adams. Also, two small ponds can be found in the Glen as the base of Mount Greylock. Harbor: As Adams is located in the western most corner of Massachusetts the town of Adams is completely land locked and is not a coastal city. Reservoirs: The closest reservoir is located in the neighboring town of Cheshire, MA to the south. Streams: There are many streams and tributary brooks that stem from the Hoosac River and run throughout the town. Water Source: The Hoosac River is a tributary of the Hudson River. Climate Type: Average Temperature: Average High: 81.4 degrees Average Low: 12.4 degrees Average Rainfall: Summer: 43.7 inches Winter: 64 inches

III. Original Settlers

Names: The Society of Friends or Quakers Where did they come from? The Quakers were from Smithfield, Rhode Island and came to Adams in 1769.

Why? The Quakers came to the area because the 1760s marked a period of development for the area as it was newly settled. It is believed that they settled in Adams as it was an rural area that reflected their simplistic way of life and it allowed them to practice their religion in peace. How did they get there? The Pontoosuck Path was an Indian trail that quickly became a highway in the 1760s for settlers coming to Adams as it connected the town with the Mohawk Trail in the northern part of the valley. What was their nationality? The Quakers were English. Is there any evidence left of their settlement? There is a Quaker Meeting House still standing in the Maple Street cemetery. Why was the settlement located at this location? The Quakers began settling the Friend Street, West Road, Notch Road and Maple Street area due to its direct proximity to the Pontoosuck Path highway (Friend Street and West Road). After establishing a residential community the Quakers built a meeting house fifteen years after their original settlement of the area. The Hoosac River provided a water power resource and the dense forests provided plenty of timber. What actions were necessary to overcome the problems of settling in the area? There was still discouragement against settling the area lingering due to the violence that had erupted and the fall of Fort Massachusetts in 1745 in the French and Indian War. Access to the region also posed a problem as the only major route of travel was the rural and dirt Mohawk Trail highway. The Quakers were the first settlers of the area so they had to provide for themselves and use the natural resources of the town to their advantage. A small population and minimal trade opportunities created problems early in the settlement of the East Hoosac Township. What transportation routes were available? (canals, lakes, rivers, etc) Settlers came to the area in the 1760s by way of the Mohawk Trail and the Pontoosuck Path, both Indian paths that had become highways to the western part of the state during this period. The Hoosac River provided some transportation routes, but not for long distance travels as some parts of the river where not navigable or too narrow. How did investment or speculation in land sales or acquisition influence settlement? The General Court of Britain upon completing the survey of East Hoosac in 1749 granted two hundred acres to Ephraim Williams on the condition that he built a fort, Fort Massachusetts, and a saw mill. After he was killed in 1755 during the French and Indian War the land was auctioned off to Nathan Jones, Elisha Jones and John Murray. In 1962 the land was divided into forty eight separate lots of one hundred acres each on which sixty families were permitted by the General Court of Britain to settle. How was the area set up politically? The township of East Hoosac was originally run with lose ties to the British General Court and settlement was done in accordance with the regulation outlined by the British government. Within the town of Adams the Quakers founded a community based on moral law. There were no laws or regulations outlining the persecution of criminals and the community based itself around a simplistic and peaceful lifestyle.

Were there any planned or utopian settlements? The settlement of the Quakers and the Baptists, on Stafford Hill (now part of Cheshire), can be viewed as areas settled with the aim of creating a utopian community. Both communities were founded on religious ideology and moral values which exuded the sense of a strong community and peacefulness.

IV. Transportation
What are the main transportation systems that brought settlers to the area? The Mohawk Trail highway brought early settlers to the region and the completion of the Hoosac Tunnel in 1875 advanced population and industrial growth further. What mass transportation systems historically passed through the town? The railway system completed with the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel in 1875 allowed for the mass transportation of people, products and materials to and from the town of Adams. Route 8 and 116 linked Adams with the Mohawk Trail and the eastern portion of the state. Is there any trace of them left today? The Hoosac Tunnel and part of the railroads are still in use in North Adams (the northern portion of the East Hoosac Township) but the former railways of Adams have now been paved over in order to complete the Ashuwillticock bike path. Route 8 and 116 are still major roads that link Adams with New York, Vermont and eastern Massachusetts. What was the impact of the automobile on your town? The automobile allowed for the expansion of the town of Adams. The introduction of automobiles to Adams required the town to provide a better system of roadways. The town began collecting a proportioned tax in order to raise money for the constructed of roads in the town. The construction of roads and the use of automobiles allowed residents of the town to establish residents outside the center of town, expanding the residential area of Adams. The first auto was licensed in what year? Type of car? I was unable to find this information. I looked through the town records at the Adams Library and spoke to the Town Hall Administrator and Treasurer in the hopes of finding excise tax records but there were no results. I was able to find out that the Plunkett family may have owned the first vehicle and that it may have been a Ford. First brick or paved road in town? The first bricked road in Adams was Center Street. Location and brand of first gas station? After asking several people and doing some research, the conclusion was made that the first gas station may have been located on the junction of Columbia Street and Friend Street and could have been the Standard Oil Company. I was unable to find a definite answer anywhere in my research and could only find the establishment of current gas stations in the town. What are the main transportation systems today? The main transportation systems today are personal automobiles and a limited local bus service. Adams no longer has a railway and has no municipal airports.

V. Residential Areas Where were the first residential areas located? The original residential areas were centered on Friend Street, Center Street and Summer Street in the center of Adams. What types of ethnic groups were located there? There has always been a large population of Polish, French, Italian and Irish ethnic groups in Adams. Are there any traces of them today? Today the community still remains ethnically rooted with the population being made up of twenty seven percent Polish, nineteen percent French, twelve percent Italian and ten percent Irish. Where are the residential areas located today? Today the residential areas are throughout the town but the concentration of homes has moved from the center of Adams to the roads and areas surrounding the town such as East Street, East Road and West Road.

VI. Economic Activity

Do the street names or place names (toponyms) indicate early economic activity in the area? List some examples. Mill Street and the Mill Houses on Commercial Street reflect the towns past as a booming mill town. Center Street reflects its place as the center of town at the beginning of residential and business activity. What is the history of economic activity in the area? Textile manufacturing was the success of Adams. The Adams South Village Cotton Manufacture Company was opened in 1814 due to British textiles becoming unavailable during the War of 1812. The textile industry in the town expanded with the opening of the Berkshire Cotton Manufacturing Company in 1889 by the Plunkett family. Berkshire Cotton became part of Berkshire Hathaway, a company who continued running a factory in Adams until it closed in 1958. Where was early economic activity located? Early economic activity centered on the Hoosac River as it provided a power source for machinery and mills. Commercial Street, Mill Street and Hoosac Street were the hub of the textile industry in the town. Center Street and Spring Street were where most businesses were located until Park Street began to develop into a downtown in the late 1890s. What were the main items produced? The major mills of Adams produced textiles used to make clothing, linens and other products. What is the main economic activity today? Today, Adams economy is centered around small businesses and the tourist industry. Adams relies on its proximity to other towns such as Williamstown, Pittsfield and North Adams. Attractions such as galleries, museums, colleges, natural beauty and outdoor activities bring visitors to the area. Also, Specialty Minerals is a manufacturing mill and mine that is still an important part of the towns economy.

Where is current economic activity located? Small businesses are located on Park Street and Summer Street. The visitor center is located on Hoosac Street and Specialty Minerals is located on Columbia Street (Curran Highway). What products are produced? Specialty Minerals produces limestone for calcium carbonate which is used in antacids, food supplements, as paper whitener and for industrial purposes. Farming produces some agricultural goods and forestry extraction provides a small amount of marketable lumber. Is your town considered urban or rural? Why? Adams is considered rural because it is not an urban center. The town is not an economic center, nor does it have a large population. Much of Adams attraction to visitors, and why residents choose to live here, is its natural beauty and peacefulness. What is the most popular recreation area? The Glen and the Ashuwillticock bike path are the most popular recreation areas in Adams. The Glen provides a vast connection of trails for hiking, biking and Nordic skiing, along with two ponds and Pecks Falls for swimming. The Glen is also an attraction in the winter months as it is the base of Mount Greylock and the end of the Thunderbolt Ski Trail. The Ashuwillticock bike path connects Adams with Cheshire and Lanesboro along the Hoosac River and Cheshire Lake, providing a scenic route for cyclist. How many banks, schools, libraries, cemeteries, and churches are located in the town? There are four banks, five schools, one library, four cemeteries and six churches. There are also smaller cemeteries throughout the town of Adams, but only four cemeteries in the town have church associations. How many types of civic groups are located there? Examples? The four major civic groups in Adams are the American Legion, Lions Club, Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge and the Polish National Alliance (PNA). Are there any lodges or fraternities? Examples? There are two lodges in Adams, the Elks Lodge and the Masonic Lodge.

VII. Subjective Observations (Personal Opinion and Knowledge)

Historical: The East Hooasc Township was an important area during the French and Indian War. The Hoosac Tunnel opened the area to industry and trade but took fifteen million dollars and 196 lives to complete. Geographical: The settlement of Adams in the valley has left the town barricaded between the two mountain ranges and has made it difficult even today to commute in and out of the area. Although Adams is sometimes difficult to find or easier to miss, the town is centrally located in the heart of the Berkshires and provides a quite retreat from the tourist hubs of Williamstown and South County.

Contemporary, Trendy or Pop Culture Artifacts: Adams and North Adams today have become attractions for a new wave of ghost hunters. The Hoosac Tunnel, Masonic Lodges and cemeteries of the towns have become hunting grounds for paranormal enthusiasts. Adams has recently seen a development in the contemporary arts with the establishment of Topia Arts Center on Park Street. Observations of Urban Area: Park Street and the downtown area would be considered the urban area of Adams, although the area is hardly industrial or financial orientated within the town. Observations of Rural Area: Most of Adams would be considered rural, especially some of the small residential communities along East Road and West Road. The Glen is a definite example of a rural area in Adams.

VIII. Family History

How long has your family lived in this town? My mother and father became residents twenty three years ago. Why did they come to live there? They were able to find a large and affordable home to purchase that was still close enough to they places of employment, Specialty Minerals and North Adams Regional Hospital. How long have you lived there? I have lived in Adams all but one year of my twenty two years alive. I lived in Burlington, VT for one year after graduating high school. Will you plan to live here after you graduate? Why or why not? I do not plan on living in Adams but I do plan on returning to the area after I receive my masters degree as I feel it is a good place to raise a family. I will most likely reside in Florida or Monroe, MA or just over the border in Vermont.

IX. Perceptions
What are the main strengths of your town? The town is a great place to raise a family as it is fairly rural and upholds a strong sense of community. The town is a haven for recreational sports such as biking, hiking and skiing. What are the main weaknesses of your town? Many feel that the town lacks an adequate nightlife and that the downtown shuts down most nights by five in the evening. Why do people come to visit your town? Most people come to Adams for recreational reasons such as the Ashuwillticock bike path or Nordic skiing in the Glen. The Thunderbolt Ski trail was a major attraction for skiers and enthusiasts this past winter. The fall is a major season for tourists as they come to the Berkshires for the fall foliage and Adams is usually a routine stop at the base of Mt. Greylock.

Is your town a friendly place? Examples? Adams is a friendly place for the most part although sometimes residents do keep to themselves. The community is made up of a large elderly population so it is a regular observation to see other members of the community assisting them. Many residents of the town also walk or run regularly and it is very typical for people to say hello to others even if they are strangers. Is it a good place to work and raise children? Adams is a great place to raise children, as I was raised here. The community is quite and safe, although sometimes children may find it difficult to find something to do. As a place to work Adams might prove difficult as there are not many large businesses or companies in the town, although it is close to other cities that have job opportunities and relatively short commutes. Is there a problem with crime, pollution, traffic, etc? There is not a great crime problem in Adams as the personal and property crime rates in the town are lower than averages for both the county and the state. Traffic isnt a problem which is reflected in the town only having one major intersection with traffic lights. Pollution poses a small problem for Adams with the producing of chemicals at Specialty Minerals. Also, recent issues with the Hoosac River may lead to costly cleaning and dredging of the river because of large silt deposits that are causing water and drainage problems. What do people do on a nice sunny summer day? The average amount of sunny days in Adams is about fifty five so when there is sun to enjoy most people like to do activities outside. On a nice summer day the town is busy with people walking, running, biking, hiking and swimming. People also enjoy riding motorcycles or going four wheeling in the nice weather. What do people do on a sunny, cold winter day? The winter months in Adams are long and cold but people venture out into the harsh elements on bright, sunny days to Nordic ski, downhill ski or snowshoe. Many people have snowmobiles and take them in the woods on the many trails through the mountains and valleys in the area. Is there a certain dish found only in this area? Adams has a large Polish community and one might regularly hear Jedzcie, pijcie i popuszczajcie pasa Eat, drink and loosen your belt. There are many Polish dishes regularly prepared in Adams such as pierogies, golabki (stuffed cabbage), bigos (hunters stew) and a town favorite, kapusta (sauerkraut) with kielbasa. Would you recommend to someone to live in your town? Explain why. I would recommend someone to live in Adams if they are looking for a nice, quite and community-orientated place to raise a family. I would not recommend Adams to a person looking for a fast-paced nightlife or glamorous lifestyle. I would tell someone to live in Adams because it is a simple place filled with interesting people.

X. Conclusions
What have you learned about your town that you did not already know?

I had always known about the Quaker Meeting House but I had never known its significant importance to the town of Adams. Even as a historian, I had never taken the time to research and analyze the history of the town that I grew up in and still live. Are there adequate facilities for young people to mature into contributing members of society? Why or why not? Adams school system is a commendable one with a small student to teacher ratio but there is little opportunity for some students to continue beyond a high school education due to the lower income level of many of Adams residents. The town also doesnt harbor many activities or facilities for youths outside of the school system and sports organizations so some children find it difficult to remain out of trouble or to stay in school without a strong support system behind them. Overall, Adams allows young people to mature in an environment with a sense of community and learning leading them to contributing members of society. Although this is only possible if the resources are available to them and they choose to use them to their advantage.

XI. Sources
Bibliographical References Books Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Assessment of Land Use Activities and Nonpoint Source Pollution in the Hoosic River Watershed. 1998. Pittsfield, MA. Jorgensen, Neil. A Guide to New Englands Landscape. The Globe Pequoit Press, 1977. Chester, CT. Laubach, Rene. A Guide to Natural Places in the Berkshire Hills. Berkshire House, 1992. Stockbride, MA. MarketReach, Inc. Mount Greylock Scenic Byway, Tourism along the Byway, Capacities and Strategies for Economic Benefit. 1999. Shelburne, VT. Massachusetts Historical Commission. State Register of Historical Places. 2000. Boston, MA. North Adams Historical Commission. A Walk Through History North Adams, Massachusetts. 1999. North Adams, MA. Websites Adams Historical Society http://www.adamshistorical.org Adams, Massachusetts 01220 http://www.berkshireweb.com/themap/adams/adams.html Adams, Massachusetts City Data http://www.city-data.com/city/Adams-Massachusetts.html History of North Adams, Masss. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~maberksh/towns/nadams/historyofna.htm North Adams Museum of History and Science http://www.northadamshistory.org/history.htm The Berkshires of Western Massachusetts: The Towns of Adams & North Adams http://www.virtualcities.com/ons/ma/x/as/maxb0a16.htm Town of Adams Auto Tour

http://town.adams.ma.us/Public_Documents/AdamsMA_Historical/autotour Walking the Berkshires http://greensleeves.typepad.com/berkshires/american_history/ Oral Interviews Breen, Tami. April 2010. Personal Communication. Adams Resident. Matuszak, Thomas. April 2010. Personal Communication. Adams Resident and Manager of the Polish National Alliance (PNA) Pizani, Mark and Leslie. March 2010. Personal Communication. Adams Residents, PNA members and town employees.

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