The New International Encyclopædia/Great Barrington

GREAT BAR′RINGTON. A town in Berkshire County, Mass., including the villages of Housatonic and Van Deusen, 26 miles southwest of Pittsfield, on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad (Map: Massachusetts, A 3). It is a popular summer resort, being surrounded by remarkably picturesque scenery. It has a public library, Sedgwick Institute, and the Hopkins Memorial Manse. Many of the town records are inscribed by William Cullen Bryant, who for several years was town clerk. The manufactures include cotton spreads, towelings, and other cotton goods, paper, electrical apparatus, etc. The government is administered by annual town meetings. The town owns and operates its water-works. Population, in 1890, 4612; in 1900, 5854. Settled as early as 1725, Great Barrington formed a part of Sheffield until incorporated as a separate town in 1761. On September 12, 1786, during Shays's Rebellion, a notable riot occurred here, and near by, on January 29, 1787, a skirmish was fought between the militia and the insurgents. Consult Taylor, History of Great Barrington (Great Barrington, 1882).