Editing Alford, Massachusetts

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Alford, Massachusetts
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = Alford-State Line.JPG
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = The state line at [[Massachusetts Route 71|Route 71]], with a [[Henry Knox Trail|Knox Trail]] marker beside the road sign
|image_seal               = Seal of Alford, Massachusetts.png
|image_flag               =
|image_map                = Berkshire County Massachusetts incorporated and unincorporated areas Alford highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 260px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Berkshire County, Massachusetts|Berkshire County]] and the state of [[Massachusetts]].
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Massachusetts]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Massachusetts|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Berkshire County, Massachusetts|Berkshire]]
|established_title        = Settled
|established_date         = 1740
|established_title2       = Incorporated
|established_date2        = 1773
|established_title3       = 
|established_date3        = 
|government_type          = [[Open town meeting]]
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = <!--Board of <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Selectmen-->
|leader_name1             = 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 29.9
|area_total_sq_mi         = 
|area_land_km2            = 29.8
|area_land_sq_mi          = 
|area_water_km2           = 0.1
|area_water_sq_mi         = 
|population_as_of         = 2020
|settlement_type          = [[New England town|Town]]
|population_total         = 486
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = 
|elevation_m              = 256
|elevation_ft             = 839
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset               = −5
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST           = −4
|coordinates              = {{Coord|42|14|08|N|73|24|50|W|region:US-MA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|website                  = {{URL|www.townofalford.org}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 01230 ([[Great Barrington, Massachusetts|Great Barrington]])<br/>01266 ([[West Stockbridge, Massachusetts|West Stockbridge]])
|area_code                = [[Area code 413|413]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 25-00975
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0618263
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Alford''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Berkshire County, Massachusetts|Berkshire County]], [[Massachusetts]], United States. It is part of the [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts|Pittsfield]], [[Massachusetts]] [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The population was 486 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US2500300975 |title=Census - Geography Profile: Alford town, Berkshire County, Massachusetts |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 14, 2021}}</ref>

== History ==
Alford was first settled in 1756 as part of a land purchase from the Shauanum Stockbridge [[Mahican]] tribe by a group led by [[Timothy Woodbridge]]. The town, originally part of [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts|Great Barrington]], separated in 1769 and was officially incorporated in 1773. It was named for Colonel [[John Alford (professor)|John Alford]] of [[Charlestown, Boston|Charlestown]], who was known for preaching Christianity to Native Americans and for sponsoring a theology professorship at [[Harvard University|Harvard College's]] [[Harvard Divinity School|Divinity School]].<ref name="townhistory">{{Cite web |url=https://townofalford.org/about-our-town/history/ |title=Town History - Town of Alford, Mass. |access-date=May 4, 2017 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143726/https://townofalford.org/about-our-town/history/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The town has been mostly agricultural throughout its existence, however in 1799, large marble deposits were found on the western slopes of Tom Ball Mountain, and for the next 90 or so years it would be an industrious mining town. This would come to an end when the railroad was laid in a neighboring valley, rendering the last operating quarries of Alford unable to compete.

Around [[New Year's Day]], 1776, General [[Henry Knox]] passed into Massachusetts through the town, bringing cannons from [[Fort Ticonderoga]] eastward to help end the [[Siege of Boston]]. Today, this route is known as the [[Henry Knox Trail|Knox Trail]], and a marker is located at the state line.

<gallery widths="145px" heights="200px">
File:Alford Town Hall - Susan Smith Andersen Library, Alford MA.jpg|Susan Smith Andersen Library
Image:Alford Village Church, MA.jpg|Alford Village Church
</gallery>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|29.9|km2|disp=flip}}, of which {{convert|29.8|sqkm|disp=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqkm|disp=flip|2}}, or 0.35%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/0600000US2500300975| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212154631/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/0600000US2500300975| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Alford town, Berkshire County, Massachusetts| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| accessdate=December 18, 2013}}</ref> Alford lies along the western border of Berkshire County and Massachusetts, east of [[Columbia County, New York|Columbia County]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. The town, which is roughly shaped like an arrowhead, is bordered by [[West Stockbridge, Massachusetts|West Stockbridge]] to the northeast, [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts|Great Barrington]] to the southeast, [[Egremont, Massachusetts|Egremont]] to the south, and [[Hillsdale, New York|Hillsdale]] and [[Austerlitz, New York]], to the west. Alford is located {{convert|19|mi}} south-southwest of [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts|Pittsfield]], {{convert|50|mi}} west-northwest of [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]], {{convert|138|mi}} west of [[Boston]], and {{convert|44|mi}} southeast of [[Albany, New York]].

Alford is surrounded by hills and mountains of the [[Taconic Range]]. The Green River, a tributary of the [[Housatonic River]], flows through the southwest corner of town, and Alford Brook flows through the central part of town, eventually flowing into the Green River in neighboring Great Barrington. Several other brooks flow into these two waterways. To the northeast of town, Tom Ball Mountain peaks just over the town line in West Stockbridge, with its western face being somewhat marshy.

Alford is home to the western terminus of [[Massachusetts Route 71]], a short continuation of [[New York State Route 71]]. The Knox Trail follows this route into the state, and the road heads southeastward into Egremont before ending in Great Barrington.  There are no other state routes in the town, with few local roads crossing through town. The nearest interstate, [[Interstate 90]] (the [[Massachusetts Turnpike]]), passes through neighboring West Stockbridge, with its "turn-around" Exit 1 being {{convert|8|mi|0}} north of Alford. The nearest rail service is at the [[Amtrak]] station in [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts|Pittsfield]], with service to [[Boston]], [[Chicago]] and [[New York City]] via a connection at Albany. Bus service is available in Pittsfield as well as in [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts|Great Barrington]], provided by [[Peter Pan Bus Lines]]. There are general aviation airports in Great Barrington and Pittsfield, but the nearest airport for commercial flights is [[Albany International Airport]] in New York.

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations | type=USA | align=left
 | 1850|502
 | 1860|542
 | 1870|430
 | 1880|348
 | 1890|297
 | 1900|272
 | 1910|275
 | 1920|248
 | 1930|200
 | 1940|201
 | 1950|212
 | 1960|256
 | 1970|302
 | 1980|394
 | 1990|418
 | 2000|399
 | 2010|494
 | 2020|486
 | 2022*|483
 | footnote=* = population estimate.  {{Historical populations/Massachusetts municipalities references}}<ref>{{cite web | title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date=November 23, 2023 | url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 399 people, 171 households, and 114 families residing in the town.  By population, Alford ranks twenty-ninth out of the 32 cities and towns in Berkshire County, and is ninth-smallest of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.  The population density was {{convert|34.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, which ranks 21st in the county and 326th in the Commonwealth.  There were 279 housing units at an average density of {{convert|24.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the town was 99.00% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.75% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], and 0.25% from two or more races.

There were 171 households, out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. Of all households 29.8% were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.8% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 41.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $49,632, and the median income for a family was $62,344. Males had a median income of $47,083 versus $28,929 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $40,412.  About 2.8% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
Alford uses the [[open town meeting]] form of government, and is led by a [[board of selectmen]]. The town has its own police, fire and public works departments, but does not have its own post office (it shares the [[Egremont, Massachusetts|Egremont]], [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts|Great Barrington]], and [[West Stockbridge, Massachusetts|West Stockbridge]] post offices). The town's library is connected to the regional library system. The nearest hospital, Fairview Hospital, is located in neighboring Great Barrington.

On the state level, Alford is represented in the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]] by the Fourth Berkshire district, which covers southern Berkshire County, as well as the westernmost towns in Hampden County. In the [[Massachusetts Senate]], the town is represented by the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin district, which includes all of Berkshire County and western Hampshire and Franklin counties.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm |title=Senators and Representatives by City and Town |access-date=March 8, 2008 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115141/http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The town is patrolled by the First (Lee) Station of Barracks "B" of the [[Massachusetts State Police]].<ref>[http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopsterminal&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Law+Enforcement+%26+Criminal+Justice&L2=Law+Enforcement&L3=State+Police+Troops&L4=Troop+B&sid=Eeops&b=terminalcontent&f=msp_divisions_field_services_troops_troop_b_msp_field_troop_b_station_b1&csid=Eeops Station B-1, SP Lee]</ref>

On the national level, Alford is represented in the [[United States House of Representatives]] as part of [[Massachusetts's 1st congressional district]]. Massachusetts is currently represented in the [[United States Senate]] by senior Senator [[Elizabeth Warren]] and junior Senator [[Ed Markey]].

==Education==

Alford is part of the Mount Everett Regional School District along with [[Egremont, Massachusetts|Egremont]], [[Monterey, Massachusetts|Monterey]], [[Mount Washington, Massachusetts|Mount Washington]], [[New Marlborough, Massachusetts|New Marlborough]], and [[Sheffield, Massachusetts|Sheffield]]. Students in Alford, Egremont and Mount Washington attend the Appalachian School for kindergarten and first grades, with second through sixth grades attending the Undermountain Elementary School in [[Sheffield, Massachusetts|Sheffield]], and [[Mount Everett Regional High School]] in Sheffield for grades 7–12.<ref>[http://www.sbrsd.org Southern Berkshire Regional School District homepage]</ref> There are private schools in Great Barrington and other nearby towns.

The nearest [[community college]] is the South County Center of [[Berkshire Community College]] in Great Barrington. The nearest state college is [[Westfield State University]], and the nearest [[University of Massachusetts]] is the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]]. The nearest private college is [[Bard College at Simon's Rock]] in Great Barrington.

==Notable people==
* [[Carolyn Gold Heilbrun]], mystery writer, once had a summer home in town<ref name="townhistory" />
* [[John W. Hulbert]] (1770–1831), born in Alford, lawyer and [[United States House of Representatives|congressman]] from Massachusetts<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location=Chicago |  year = 1963}}</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Alford, Massachusetts}}
* [http://www.townofalford.org Town of Alford official website]

{{Berkshire County, Massachusetts}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1773 establishments in the Province of Massachusetts Bay]]
[[Category:Towns in Berkshire County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Towns in Massachusetts]]