Editing Lanesborough, Massachusetts

{{Short description|Town in Massachusetts, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Lanesborough, Massachusetts
|nickname                 = New Framingham <br><small>(former official name)</small>
|motto                    = {{nowrap|''Liberté Toute Entière'' {{smaller|([[French language|French]])}}<br/>{{smaller|"Liberty Unfettered"}}}}
|image_skyline            = Lanesborough Town Hall.JPG
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Lanesborough Town Hall
|image_seal               = Seal of Lanesborough, Massachusetts.png
|image_flag               = 
|image_map                = Berkshire County Massachusetts incorporated and unincorporated areas Lanesborough 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         = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Massachusetts}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Massachusetts|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Berkshire County, Massachusetts|Berkshire]]
|established_title        = Settled
|established_date         = 1753
|established_title2       = Incorporated
|established_date2        = 1765
|established_title3       = 
|established_date3        = 
|government_type          = [[Open town meeting]]
|leader_title             = <!--[[Town Administrator|Town<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Administrator]]-->
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = <!--Board of <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Selectmen-->
|leader_name1             = 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 76.6
|area_total_sq_mi         = 
|area_land_km2            = 74.7
|area_land_sq_mi          = 
|area_water_km2           = 1.9
|area_water_sq_mi         = 
|population_as_of         = 2020
|settlement_type          = [[New England town|Town]]
|population_total         = 3038
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = 
|elevation_m              = 344
|elevation_ft             = 1130
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset               = −5
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST           = −4
|coordinates              = {{coord|42|31|02|N|73|13|43|W|region:US-MA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|website                  = {{URL|www.lanesborough-ma.gov}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 01237 (Lanesborough)<br/>01201 ([[Pittsfield, Massachusetts|Pittsfield]])<br/>01224 ([[Berkshire, Massachusetts|Berkshire]])
|area_code                = [[Area code 413|413]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 25-34340
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0618267
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Lanesborough''' 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 3,038 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US2500334340| title=Census - Geography Profile: Lanesborough town, Berkshire County, Massachusetts| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=November 14, 2021}}</ref>

==History==
One of the first Berkshire communities to be settled, Lanesborough was originally known as "New Framingham", carved from part of Northern Berkshire Township #6. Lanesborough was first settled in 1753 and was officially incorporated on January 21, 1765. It was renamed Lanesborough, for the Countess of Lanesborough, a friend of Governor [[Sir Francis Bernard, 1st Baronet|Francis Bernard]], who incorporated the town. The town grew with small industry in the early 19th century, most of which settled along Town Brook. Berkshire Pleasure Park was a major attraction at the turn of the 20th century. It was one of the trolley parks along what is now Route 8 on the eastern side of town.

Today the town includes many small businesses, but has little industry of its own. More people from Lanesborough are employed in nearby communities. 

The town's most famous resident was [[Josh Billings]], born Henry Wheeler Shaw. He was a popular [[humorist]] in the nineteenth century, rivaling [[Mark Twain]] for popularity at the time. Historic sites include the Old Stone School, an unusual stone [[one-room school]]house, built in 1832 from funds donated by Ephraim Bradley and which operated as a school until 1950. The building is currently used as a photography gallery and guesthouse.<ref>[http://www.lanesborough-ma.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={4B3E835E-45F0-43D4-A253-9E67B72CCEBE} History of Lanesborough, Massachusetts]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.berkshireweb.com/themap/lanesboro/lanesboro.html |title=Lanesborough, Massachusetts - The BerkshireWeb |access-date=February 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101092518/http://www.berkshireweb.com/themap/lanesboro/lanesboro.html |archive-date=January 1, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|76.6|km2|disp=flip}}, of which {{convert|74.7|km2|disp=flip}} is land and {{convert|1.9|km2|disp=flip}}, or 2.49%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/0600000US2500334340| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212145007/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/0600000US2500334340| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Lanesborough town, Berkshire County, Massachusetts| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| accessdate=December 20, 2013}}</ref>

Lanesborough is bordered by [[New Ashford, Massachusetts|New Ashford]] to the north, [[Cheshire, Massachusetts|Cheshire]] to the northeast, [[Dalton, Massachusetts|Dalton]] to the east, [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts|Pittsfield]] to the south, and [[Hancock, Massachusetts|Hancock]] to the west. The town center is {{convert|5|mi|0}} north of Pittsfield, {{convert|50|mi}} northwest of [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]] and {{convert|140|mi}} west of [[Boston]].

Lanesborough is situated in two valleys, with Town Brook running south through the central valley into Pontoosuc Lake, and the Cheshire Reservoir, the headwaters of the [[Hoosic River]], running north through the town's smaller, eastern valley. To the north, the beginning of [[Mount Greylock]] is located in the town, with the auto road and visitors' center beginning there as well. Rockwell Road, which leads to the Visitors' Center, ascends from Lanesborough through Cheshire to the summit in [[Adams, Massachusetts|Adams]]. Sperry Road, which branches off Rockwell, leads to a campground and picnic area. [[Pittsfield State Forest]] also has a large section within town, with Balance Rock<ref>[http://www.stateparks.com/balance_rock_state_park_in_massachusetts.html Balance Rock State Park, a Massachusetts park located near North Adams, Pittsfield and Troy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> being its main attraction. To the west, [[Jiminy Peak (ski area)|Jiminy Peak]] and Sheeps Heaven Mountain, the southern portion of [[Brodie Mountain]], form much of the western border. While much of Jiminy Peak is located in the town of Hancock, recent aerial mapping determined that the summit is indeed in Lanesborough. The ski area's Hendricks Summit Lodge (named after Lanesborough residents Bart and Mary Hendricks) is located within the town. Brodie Mountain Road, which passes between these two mountains, is one of the few roads which lead into neighboring Hancock from the east. The very large Massachusetts Champion [[Ulmus americana|Elm]] stands on Summer Street, visible from Route 7. Lanesborough hosts the southern access to the [[Ashuwillticook Rail Trail]], a bike path converted from a railway path.

[[U.S. Route 7]] is the main route through town, passing from Pittsfield north towards [[Williamstown, Massachusetts|Williamstown]] and [[Vermont]]. This road was once [[New England Interstate Route 4]], which connected [[Norwalk, Connecticut]], with the Canada–US border. To the east, [[Massachusetts Route 8]], which was also a [[New England Interstate Route 8|New England Interstate Route]], passes through the village of Berkshire towards [[North Adams, Massachusetts|North Adams]]. Route 8 lies along a route of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority bus line. Regional bus and air service can both be found in Pittsfield, with the nearest airport with national flights being [[Albany International Airport]].

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
Image:Lanesborough - Rockwell Road Sign.JPG|The entrance to Rockwell Road, which extends from Lanesborough to the summit of [[Mount Greylock]] in Adams
Image:Champion Elm, Lanesborough MA.jpg|The Champion [[Ulmus americana|Elm]]
</gallery>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations | type=USA
 | 1850|1229
 | 1860|1308
 | 1870|1393
 | 1880|1286
 | 1890|1018
 | 1900|780
 | 1910|947
 | 1920|1054
 | 1930|1170
 | 1940|1321
 | 1950|2069
 | 1960|2933
 | 1970|2972
 | 1980|3131
 | 1990|3032
 | 2000|2990
 | 2010|3091
 | 2020|3038
 | 2022*|3016
 | 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 2,990 people, 1,203 households, and 839 families residing in the town.  By population, Lanesborough ranks eleventh out of the 32 cities and towns in Berkshire County, and 273rd out of 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.  The population density was {{convert|103.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, ranking it 11th and 279th in the county and Commonwealth, respectively.  There were 1,382 housing units at an average density of {{convert|47.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the town was 97.36% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.70% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.03% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.80% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.17% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.90% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.67% of the population.

There were 1,203 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. Of all households, 23.9% were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,496, and the median income for a family was $51,887. Males had a median income of $37,672 versus $24,583 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $21,106.  About 3.7% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref>[http://www.mass.gov/hed/economic/eohed/dhcd/community-profiles-dhcd/community-profiles.html DCHD Community Profiles - Mass.gov]</ref>

==Government==
Lanesborough employs the [[open town meeting]] form of government, and is led by a [[board of selectmen]]. The town operates its own police, fire and public works departments. The town library, located in the annex of the town hall, is connected to the regional library networks.

On the state level, Lanesborough is represented in the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]] as part of the First Berkshire District, which covers north Berkshire County and is represented by John Barrett. In the [[Massachusetts Senate]], the town is part of the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin district, which includes all of Berkshire County and western Hampshire and Franklin counties, represented by Adam Hinds.<ref>[http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm Senators and Representatives by City and Town]</ref> On the national level, Lanesborough is represented in the [[United States House of Representatives]] by [[Richard Neal]] as part of [[Massachusetts's 1st congressional district]].

==Education==
Lanesborough, along with [[Hancock, Massachusetts|Hancock]], [[New Ashford, Massachusetts|New Ashford]], and [[Williamstown, Massachusetts|Williamstown]] form the Mount Greylock Regional School District, which includes a middle school and a high school. The town operates Pontoosuc Regional Elementary School for students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade along with New Ashford, with the upper grades attending Mount Greylock Regional High School in Williamstown. Additionally, there are private, parochial, charter and vocation schools in the nearby towns.

The nearest community college, [[Berkshire Community College]], is in Pittsfield. The nearest state college is [[Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts]] in North Adams, and the nearest university is the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]]. [[Williams College]] in Williamstown is the nearest private college.

==Notable people==

* [[Josh Billings]], humorist, was born here
* [[Henry Shaw Briggs]], [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] during the [[American Civil War]], born here
* [[Bette Davis]], actress, attended the Crestalban School on Summer Street for three years
* [[Guy H. Preston]], U.S. Army brigadier general, raised in Lanesborough<ref name="Leadbetter">{{cite book |last=Ames |first=Jesse E. |date=1917 |title=Leadbetter Records |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6xoxAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA196 |location=Salem, Massachusetts |publisher=Higginson Book Company |pages=193, 196 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref><ref name="Globe">{{cite news |author=[[Associated Press]] |date=December 13, 1952 |title=Deaths and Funerals: Gen. Guy H. Preston |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-preston/158725428/ |work=[[The Boston Globe|The Boston Daily Globe]] |location=Boston, Massachusetts |page=13 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* [[Ethan Zuckerman]], writer and internet scholar

==Sister city==
* [[Lanesborough–Ballyleague|Lanesborough, County Longford]], [[Ireland]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Lanesborough}}
* [http://www.lanesborough-ma.gov/ Town of Lanesborough official website]

{{Berkshire County, Massachusetts}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Lanesborough, Massachusetts| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Berkshire County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:1765 establishments in the Province of Massachusetts Bay]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1765]]
[[Category:Towns in Massachusetts]]