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Mohawk Trail West Ch1 Introduction

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Mohawk Trail West Ch1 Introduction CHAPTER 1 Introduction A historic postcard depicts the early years of the Mohawk Trail. There are a number of historic villages Study Background and structures along the route that and Purpose provide evidence of the Byway’s his- tory. The Byway also travels through The Mohawk Trail of western Massa- some of the most beautiful scenic areas chusetts, also known as state highway in Massachusetts. Significant stretches Route 2, was one of the earliest Scenic of the Mohawk Trail follow the Byways in New England, receiving its Deerfield River, and parallel the designation in 1953. The road was the Mahican-Mohawk Trail, a former Na- first state road to be designed and con- tive American trail linking the Hudson structed as a scenic tourist route, open- and Connecticut River Valleys. This ing amid much fanfare in 1914. The original trail is currently being reestab- road quickly became a popular destina- lished as a recreational trail in Franklin tion for travelers during the early auto and Berkshire counties. touring days of the 1920s and 1930s, In 1998, the Franklin Regional Coun- and its popularity increased as automo- cil of Governments (FRCOG) and the biles became more common. The Berkshire Regional Planning Commis- Mohawk Trail is still a popular route sion (BRPC) embarked on a cooperative particularly during the fall foliage sea- project to recognize, interpret, preserve son, but tourism has decreased from its and promote the unique scenic, natural, historic levels in the 1940s and 1950s. recreational, historical, cultural and ar- The corridor is rich in natural, cul- cheological resources of the Mohawk tural, and archeological resources. Trail in Franklin and Berkshire Counties 2 MOHAWK TRAIL SCENIC BYWAY through the development of a corridor munities along the corridor share sev- management plan and the accompanying eral common interests and concerns, public participation process. The and this plan reflects the common FRCOG and the BRPC sought and re- goals of those communities. ceived funding through the Federal Sce- nic Byway program to complete a Corridor Description corridor management plan for the The Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway corri- Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway between dor includes the communities of Greenfield and Williamstown in Massa- Greenfield, Shelburne, Buckland and chusetts. The more specific purposes of Charlemont in Franklin County; and this project are to: Savoy, Florida, Clarksburg, North ■ Identify and develop strategies to Adams and Williamstown in Berkshire preserve the unique scenic, natural County. The study area includes Route and cultural resources along the by- 2 and a one-half mile buffer strip along way; each side of the road. The total length ■ Expand economic opportunities re- of the Byway is approximately 41 miles, lated to heritage and recreational with 22 miles in Franklin County and tourism along the byway; 19 miles in Berkshire County. ■ Develop a land protection program The eastern approach to the Byway for scenic and historic landscapes begins in Greenfield, at the rotary at the along the byway; intersection of Interstate 91, Route 2 ■ Develop a recreational program that and Route 2A. Heading west along the identifies and establishes linkages to Mohawk Trail, the road ascends ap- hiking trails, state forests, river ac- proximately 400 feet through spectacu- cess points and other cultural and lar rock outcrops and hemlock forests recreational features along the by- of Greenfield Mountain. At this loca- way; and tion, which is the highest area in ■ Actively involve the public, through Greenfield at an elevation of 874 feet, regional advisory committees and a there is a panoramic view of Greenfield participatory planning process, in and the Connecticut River Valley. A view of the ascent up the shaping of a corridor manage- Upon entering the town of Shelburne, Greenfield Mountain from ment plan for the Byway. the Mohawk Trail meanders past forests, the Long View Tower. FRCOG’s and BRPC’s role in the development of the Mohawk Trail Sce- nic Byway Corridor Management Plan (also referred to as the Corridor Man- agement Plan) was to gather pertinent information about the Mohawk Trail and facilitate its development by work- ing with local residents, officials, and other interested stakeholders. In gen- eral, FRCOG took responsibility for compiling and analyzing information on the corridor in Franklin County, between Greenfield and Charlemont, and BRPC took responsibility for the corridor in Berkshire County, between Savoy/Florida and Williamstown. As discovered during the development of Corridor Management Plan, the com- CHAPTER 1: Introduction 3 River and Manning Brook, ascending steeply into the Hoosac Range. This sec- tion of the Byway, still within the Mohawk Trail State Forest, rises over 640 feet in ap- proximately three miles. The route here is very rugged and scenic, following a moun- tain stream, which is characterized by rap- ids and small waterfalls. At Drury, the rural crossroads com- munity in Florida, the Mohawk Trail travels past scattered residences, small commercial establishments and commu- nity facilities. As the Byway proceeds towards North Adams, the vegetation is characteristic of that found in the higher elevations of the Green Mountains of Vermont. The pockets of commercial development include establishments dating from the earliest days of automo- A view along the Mohawk Trail in bile touring such as Whitcomb Summit, Shelburne. farms and hills. The village of Shelburne Western Summit and the Hairpin Turn. Falls is included in the project study area. Whitcomb Summit includes a tower Shelburne Falls is located to the south of where visitors may view the spectacular the Mohawk Trail in Shelburne and mountains and valleys encompassing Buckland on Route 2A. Shelburne Falls four states: Massachusetts, Vermont, is comprised of the downtown areas of New Hampshire and New York. Buckland and Shelburne and is a Na- As the Byway leaves the rural com- tional Register Historic District. The munity of Florida, two other state for- village is home to a number of natural ests, Savoy Mountain and Florida State points of interest including Salmon Falls, Forests, are either adjacent to or within a the Bridge of Flowers and the Glacial few hundred feet of the Byway. Both are Potholes. located on the crest of the Hoosac The Mohawk Trail travels through the Range. At the Western Summit, with an town of Buckland for a short distance elevation of approximately 1800 feet, the and passes over the Deerfield River traveler enters the eastern boundary of before entering Charlemont. In the City of North Adams. The Mohawk Charlemont, the Byway closely follows Trail then descends the sharp western the scenic Deerfield River and agricul- face of the Hoosac Range, passing tural fields, passes through the village briefly through a section of Clarksburg center National Historic District, and at the Hairpin Turn and then entering enters the Mohawk Trail State Forest. the urban area of North Adams. In two The Mohawk Trail State Forest, encom- miles, the Byway descends 700 feet with passing approximately 6,500 acres, is a wonderful views of the Hoosac Valley. striking natural resource area with an The Green Mountains of Vermont are extensive old growth forest. In addition, visible to the north and the Taconic the Cold River, a branch of the Deerfield Range can be seen to the west, marking River, provides beautiful scenery along the Massachusetts/New York border. this portion of the Mohawk Trail. Downtown North Adams, situated Leaving Franklin County, the Mohawk along the Hoosac River, is visible below. Trail enters the towns of Savoy and Following the steep descent from the Florida, which are adjacent to the Cold Hoosac Range, the Byway traverses a 4 MOHAWK TRAIL SCENIC BYWAY short stretch of residential and business at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 7, development before entering the core of marks the end of the Mohawk Trail Scenic North Adams. North Adams was a cen- Byway Study Area. ter of industrial activity from the early nineteenth century until the recent in- Public Participation dustrial downsizing and restructuring in Process the 1970’s and 1980’s. The Mohawk Trail A successful scenic byway program as it travels through the center of the depends on the commitment, enthusi- city is lined with historic mill buildings, asm and support of community mem- residential neighborhoods and a distinc- bers and municipal officials. A corridor tive commercial district. Within close management plan is intended to reflect proximity to the Byway are Natural the vision for the Byway and the sur- Bridge State Park, the Massachusetts rounding area as developed collectively College of Liberal Arts, and the Massa- by the communities along the Byway. chusetts Museum of Contemporary Art During the development of the Corri- (MASSMoCA), located in the former dor Management Plan, the FRCOG and Sprague Electric Company complex of BRPC worked closely with the Mohawk mill buildings. Western Gateway Heri- Trail Scenic Byway Advisory Committee, tage State Park and the beginning of the which is comprised of municipal officials, Mount Greylock Scenic Byway are lo- landowners, business owners and inter- cated two blocks south of the Mohawk ested citizens from the towns along the Trail on Route 8 within the Byway Cor- Byway, to develop the corridor manage- ridor Study Area. ment plan and prioritize recommenda- After leaving North Adams, the tions for implementation. The Mohawk Trail enters Williamstown, where Massachusetts Highway Department the town center is distinguished by the (also referred to as MassHighway or campus of Williams College lining both MHD), the Massachusetts Department sides of Route 2. In addition to Williams of Environmental Management (DEM), College, Williamstown is home to the the Mohawk Trail Association, the Clark Art Institute and the Williamstown Shelburne Falls Area Business Associa- Theater Festival. Field Park, a public green Driving west on the Byway at the Franklin/Berk- shire County line.
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