Wednesday, March 19, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Gary Leveille

Gary Leveille is presently buried beneath piles of vintage photographs as the Great Barrington Historical Society's volunteer archivist. He has over 35 years' experience as a writer, editor, humorist, researcher, photographer, author, publisher and newspaper columnist. Gary served as a senior editor and editorial project supervisor for Hasbro Games in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is also the author of several books about the Southern Berkshires.

written articles

THEN & NOW: The East and Berkshire County Plumbing Supply on Stockbridge Road

The expanded building later housed an antiques flea market, an early version of Berkshire Community College South Campus, and other auto dealerships.

THEN & NOW: The Little Brown Church in Sandisfield

The church was erected in 1879 in the Gothic Revival style. Like many small rural churches, membership eventually dwindled, and closure threatened. But in recent years, a miracle has manifested.

GARY LEVEILLE: Eighth Annual Satirical Holiday House Tour

While roasting their chestnuts on an open fire, and with COVID still nipping at your nose, the Southern Berkshire Hysterical Society’s “Bored of Directors” bravely brings you an all-new online free frolic of some unusual homes and habitations in our area.

THEN & NOW: Great Barrington’s ‘GB’ Park

The well-known “GB” shaped hedge was installed by Ward’s Nursery and Jack Seelig, shown in the photograph above.

THEN & NOW: The Housatonic River Bridge in Stockbridge

This location is probably the oldest major bridge crossing in town, originally a river ford, and then the site of the “Great Bridge” mentioned in early Colonial town records.

THEN & NOW: The old North Egremont schoolhouse

Class was dismissed for the last time in June 1981, when teacher Shirley Peck Montgomery said goodbye to her first graders and the school was closed.

THEN & NOW: Dalzell Axle Works in South Egremont

In 1845 David Dalzell purchased a small wagon-making business and turned it into a world-renowned axle company, selling to such major carriage manufacturers as Studebaker.

THEN & NOW: The corner of Main and Railroad streets in Great Barrington

Note the old pedestal clock on the street corner (see arrow pointing to it above). It is similar to the present-day pocket-watch-style pedestal clock donated by the Mercer family several years ago on the south side of Railroad Street.

THEN & NOW: Abdalla’s Market, now Domaney’s Liquors

This year, Domaney’s Liquors celebrates its 50th anniversary at the site. In 1973, Joseph Domaney purchased the former Abdalla’s Market.

THEN & NOW: ‘The Gateway to the Berkshires’

Lee's Founders Weekend is a community-wide festival held throughout downtown in the so-called “Gateway to the Berkshires.”

THEN & NOW: Downtown Great Barrington

A recreation of an 1890s photograph by Julius Hall looking north on the east side of Main Street in Great Barrington.

THEN & NOW: Berkshire Truck Plaza in West Stockbridge

Today, the site of the old truck stop is filled with solar panels, as shown in the bottom photograph.

THEN & NOW: The intersection of Main Street, Swamp Road, and Lenox Road in West Stockbridge

The present-day view shown below reveals the loss of the elegant elm trees, a wider road, plentiful electrical wires, as well as a brick sidewalk and curbing.

THEN & NOW: Orlando Bidwell’s home at the corner of Maple Avenue and West Avenue, now Macony Pediatrics

The Bidwell home was changed significantly during the second half of the 20th century and is presently home to Macony Pediatrics, as shown below.

THEN & NOW: The Whiting Block in downtown Great Barrington

It is noted with a touch of irony and humor that the old Drug Store once located in the Whiting Block is now home to Calyx Berkshire Cannabis Dispensary.

THEN & NOW: Turtle Rock in South Egremont

Many believe Turtle Rock was deposited “as is” by glaciers about 10 thousand years ago. Others theorize that the rock was shaped and altered by Indigenous Peoples affiliated with the Turtle Clan. And a few folks suggest that the turtle was chiseled by ancient Druids or Celtics in the distant past.
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