For the past decade, the Southern Berkshire Hysterical Society has diligently and digitally offered a free fictitious frolic of some histrionic homes and habitations in our area. Although each tale is a fabrication of imagination, each is truly located in the Southern Berkshires. These building are on private property, so locations are purposely left vague.
During the last 10 years, it has been our hope that these preposterous presentations would bring some lighthearted joy and briefly relieve the stress of the holiday season. The positive feedback we have received indicates we accomplished that goal. All properties were presented with good-natured fun and rarely with criticism of their appearance.
Of course, no one can please all of the people, all of the time. Unfortunately, there have been one or two aggrieved readers over the years who were perhaps embarrassed that their properties were featured. One fellow from Lee was upset that we featured his vintage chicken coop, so we reluctantly, but promptly, removed that funny story about Colonel Sanders. We did not want to ruffle any feathers…
And so, all good things must come to an end. This will be our final tour. We hope the fictitious visits presented below bring you smiles and a few laughs.
Stockbridge A-frame: This charming cottage rests on a hillside overlooking the Housatonic River. Hidden by foliage during the summer, the house only reveals itself after the trees have shed their leaves in late autumn. Architectural research indicates that this building was the first A-frame cottage ever built in Massachusetts. But surprisingly, noted architect Valdimir Villa originally designed it not as an A-frame, but as a V-frame. However, strong winds tipped over the structure to it present position. Customers preferred the A-frame design so much that the architect eventually sold thousands of buildings. This structure was placed on the National Register of Hyperbolic Places in 1969. Please note: This is private property—no trespassing. The photograph was taken by a drone.
Handy Andy’s House: The Handy Andy Home Improvement Center was founded in 1971 on the South Side of Chicago. Under the guidance of proprietor Sherwood Forest, the company grew to 72 stores in seven states. At its peak, the company had approximately 11,000 employees. The business declared bankruptcy in 1995 and eventually closed. Remaining inventory was moved to Sherwood’s modest store in a Berkshire hill town. Here Mr. Forest’s son Robin and his wife Marian continue to provide parts and repairs of all kinds to his friends and neighbors.
Otis Elevator: Few are aware that the town of Otis was named after Elisha Otis, inventor of the passenger elevator. His creation of the elevator safety brake prevented freefalls, thus making tall buildings eligible for elevator installations. Otis lived with his original elevator in the house shown here until his death in 1861. In the early 1960s, seminal soul singer Otis Redding purchased the home, and it is here that he elevated one of his songs titled “I’ve Had My Ups and Downs, Baby” to number one on the Billboard charts. After Redding’s death in 1967, later owners failed to maintain the old elevator, and eventually the safety brakes failed. The elevator crashed into the basement, pulling down part of the house with it.
Dutch Treat: One of the earliest settlers in the southern Berkshires was a Dutch trapper from New York named Elias Van Shaack. His great-great-great-grandson Vinnie Van Shaack married Rita Ramshackle and settled in what is now the “Stateline” section of West Stockbridge. Vinnie was a land speculator who was rarely home. Rita eventually divorced him, abandoned her old home, and moved to parts unknown. Linguistic research indicates that the words “shack” and “ramshackle” were first used in this neighborhood and became colloquial references to a dilapidated building. Coincidentally, a team of new-wave songwriters vacationing nearby were inspired by the old house to write the 1989 party song “Love Shaack.” The spelling was later slightly changed to “Love Shack.”
Panoramic Picture Window: Sadly, this home located near the Great Barrington-New Marlborough town line was torn down shortly after the photo was taken this spring. Few are aware that the very first convex panoramic picture window designed in the United States was installed here in 1947. These large windows quickly became popular throughout America during the post-World War II era. Before the teardown, the historic window was removed and sent to Washington, D.C., to be installed on the east side of the new White House ballroom being built by President Donald Tump.
To explore previous house tours, click FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH, and NINTH.
