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1973 Map of Great Barrington

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Great Barrington
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Housatonic River winds through this valley in the southern Berkshires, anchoring a landscape where industrial heritage and recreation converge. In the town of Great Barrington, the presence of the Penn Central railroad and a Limekiln near the Appalachian Trail reflects the area's long history of extraction and transport. To the east, the steep slopes of Beartown Mountain and the Beartown State Forest dominate the terrain, offering a stark contrast to the developed corridors of Risingdale and Van Deusenville.

Recreational development is evident at the Butternut Ski Area on the north face of East Mtn, while Lake Buel serves as a significant water feature with an established Boat Ramp. The map also captures local institutions such as the Dubois Seminary and Monument Mountain High Sch, alongside numerous smaller settlements like Hartsville and Berkshire Heights. This 1970s view provides a clear look at the valley's settlement patterns before further modernization, preserved through meticulous USGS field checks.