Savoy, MA
Mass
Communities
Savoy
About
Description
Login
Description of Savoy, Massachusetts
Savoy is situated at an elevation of 1800' on the Hoosac Range of the Green Mountains in Berkshire County and its history begins with a real estate fraud. When the state needed money in 1762, it auctioned off ten township sites, but the successful bidder for Savoy asked for his money back, saying that the land was not as advertised. The six square mile territory was then awarded in 1771 by the General Court to Colonel William Bullock of Rehoboth, in consideration of services rendered by veterans of the French and Indian Wars of the 1640's. The Colonel represented the heirs of these colonial soldiers. Because of the town's connection to the French and Indian Wars, it was particularly appropriate that the head of the Indian warrior chief, King Philip, was displayed in the Leonard house in Savoy after the famous fighter was slain in battle. The first settlement of the town was made in 1777 by a Mr. Robinett and by the end of the Revolutionary War, 35 families lived in Savoy. The town was formally incorporated in 1797 and given its name, historians conjecture, because of its resemblance to the mountainous country of Savoy in Europe. The town is mountainous with soil better adapted to grazing than raising grains and is well watered.
By the 19th century, Savoy was showing a remarkable diversity of industry with new-fangled steam sawmills, box manufacturers, tanneries, printing shops and a large lumber mill along with three hotels. Equally diverse was the town's religious thought with Baptists, Congregationalists, Methodists, Adventists and Shakers all worshiping in Savoy. The Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith himself, lived and proselytized in Savoy for a time around 1810, before moving on. Savoy's men fought in the wars of their country. In the Civil War, seventy Savoy men carried arms for the North and 11 died of wounds or disease.
Savoy includes the beautiful Tannery Falls, mineral springs and the huge Savoy State Forest, which is considered one of the beauty spots of the region and contains magnificent views of the purple hills. Sportsmen in the 20th century have found the Westford River in Savoy an excellent fly-fishing river.
It is located in northwestern Massachusetts, bordered by Florida on the north, Hawley on the east, Windsor on the south, and Cheshire and Adams on the west. Savoy is 24 miles northeast of Pittsfield and 125 miles northwest of Boston.
Narrative compiled by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (
DHCD
).
Powered by MaximumASP.
Save $20 on a new account
MassOnline is For Sale!
Almost 300 domain names!
MassOnline is For Sale
A PrestoMedia Website
Powered by MaximumASP
