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1947 Map of Pittsfield West

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Pittsfield West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1947
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1947

About this map

Onota Lake and Pontoosuc Lake dominate the northern landscape of the Berkshire foothills just after the Second World War. This mid-century survey reveals the industrial and transport infrastructure surrounding Pittsfield, including the heavy rail lines of the Boston and Albany and New York Central. The map documents established communities like West Pittsfield, Barkerville, and Shaker Village, while also highlighting civic landmarks such as Wahconah Park and the Pittsfield Cem.

Rising above the valley, the Tacontic Range and Lenox Mountain provide a dramatic backdrop to the developing region. Of particular interest to local historians are the numerous family-named peaks and remote water bodies like Twin Pond and Cranberry Pond. The presence of a Fire Tower on Lenox Mtn and an Airway Beacon on Mahanna Cobble reflects the era's essential monitoring and navigation infrastructure.