In the nineteenth century, virtually the entire economic and social life of West Pittsfield, Massachusetts was centered around the Southwest Branch of the Housatonic River that flowed from Richmond Pond.
The Hancock and Pittsfield Shakers built a grist mill on the river that lasted for over 100 years. The Stearns, Barker and Tillotson families developed woolen mills that provided employment for thousands of men, women and children, many of whom were recent immigrants.
The villages often included their own housing, stores, schools, and churches. By the time of the Civil War, they were among the most successful in Berkshire County and operated a total of seven mills along the river.
However, by 1890, all of the Barker and Stearns Mills were closed, victims of devastating fires and changes in the national economy. The Stearns family alone had four buildings that burned to the ground. Today the mill villages have been lost to history and are little known in the Pittsfield community.
This in depth view of the mills of Southwest Pittsfield was written by Chris Gallagher of the Friends of Osceola.
Click on the following to read more about each site:
1. Tillotson Osceola Mill: 703 West Housatonic St.
2. Lower Barkerville and the Osceola River Flouring Mill, Hungerford St.
3. Stearnsville and the Stearns School, Cloverdale St.
Related Sites
6. Osceola Park and Why Osceola in Pittsfield?
The Mills of Pittsfield 