Bernardston — Natural Features
Extracted from "History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, Volume II," by Louis H. Everts, 1879.
The town abounds in attractive natural features, and in the valley through which Fall River pursues its way, or in the mountainous regions which lie on the east and the west, varied and picturesque displays of charming scenery meet the eye upon every hand. West Mountain, which overlooks Bernardston village on the west, is a notable eminence, 779 feet in height above the village level; Bald Mountain, in the northwest, is said to be still higher; and Wild Cat Mountain, just north of West Mountain, although the lowest of the three elevations, is a hill of more than ordinary pretensions. Besides Fall River, already noticed, there are many smaller streams, such as Dry Brook, Mill Brook, and Shattuck Brook.
Clay slate, calcareous gneiss, lower sandstone, and lime-stone abound, and in the east there is a quarry whence an excellent quality of sidewalk-flagging is taken in considerable quantities. About a mile and a half north of Bernardston village there is a bed of iron-ore, but as it is heavily charged with sulphur it is not much valued.
Bernardston is a popular summer resort, especially at a place called Sylvan Grove, about half a mile west of Bernardston village. Here, in a delightful grove on the line of the railway, the Connecticut River Railroad Company expended several thousand dollars, in 1870, in the construction of inviting picnic-grounds, and hither come every summer great numbers of people, bent upon healthful and pleasant recreation.
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17 Jul 2005
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