Cheshire, Massachusetts
Cheshire | |
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Location in Massachusetts | |
Basic data | |
Foundation : | 1766 |
State : | United States |
State : | Massachusetts |
County : | Berkshire County |
Coordinates : | 42 ° 34 ′ N , 73 ° 10 ′ W |
Time zone : | Eastern ( UTC − 5 / −4 ) |
Residents : | 3,401 (as of: 2000) |
Population density : | 48.7 inhabitants per km 2 |
Area : | 71.4 km 2 (approx. 28 mi 2 ) of which 69.8 km 2 (approx. 27 mi 2 ) is land |
Height : | 294 m |
Postal code : | 01225 |
FIPS : | 25-133345 |
GNIS ID : | 0618264 |
Cheshire is a town in Berkshire County in western US -amerikanischen state of Massachusetts .
geography
The town of Cheshire is located in the valley of the Hoosic River on a reservoir for flood protection , surrounded by Mount Greylock and the North Mountain . The Appalachian Trail also runs through the town.
history
Cheshire was founded in 1766 and gained independence in 1793. The place was named after the northwestern English county of Cheshire . In the 1793 election, the town was the only one in the county to vote for Thomas Jefferson . As a testament to the new president's support, the site sent him the 560 kg Cheshire Mammoth Cheese , which was transported on six horses and over water to Washington, DC . The industry initially consisted of blacksmiths , tanneries, and sawmills and grain mills . In 1812 a glass factory and in 1827 a cotton factory with 14 water-powered looms were opened. Today tourism is the main source of income for the residents.
traffic
Cheshire is on New England Interstate Route 8 , which runs north-south through town. In addition, the Massachusetts State Route 116 runs in the northeast through the place.