The historic Berkshire Courier newspaper building (shown above) on Main Street in Great Barrington was erected in 1869–70. The illustration was first published in 1886.
Enterprising editor/publisher Marcus Rogers had the structure built, and he lived on the upper floors with his family for a time. Often credited with creating the “country correspondent,” Rogers boosted readership and subscriptions dramatically in outlying towns with his village-by-village reports. These folksy columns evolved into alliterative titles such as “Glendale Gleanings,” “Housatonic Happenings,” “Monterey Matters,” “Sandisfield Siftings,” “Sheffield Sparks,” and “Stockbridge Saunterings.”
In 1878, Rogers invented and marketed a newspaper-folding machine which earned him enough money to retire while still in his 40s. He sold the newspaper, then traveled throughout the United States and enjoyed a world tour, capturing many views on glass-plate negatives, some of which still survive. He engaged in other business ventures after returning to his hometown of Mill River, where he remained a generous philanthropist until his passing at age 90.
Local historian and author Bernard Drew discovered that the small building shown above to the left of the Berkshire Courier building was operated as a restaurant by Jason and Almira Cooley, African American entrepreneurs. In 1902, the building was moved to a backyard lot on State Road near Hillside Avenue, where it still stands.
As shown in one of the images below, the large pillars in front were added in 1916 when the building became Great Barrington Savings Bank. It was later home to Housatonic Cooperative Bank, followed by Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. The building was then considered for an antique toy museum, but that venture never went beyond the planning stages. The structure now houses Rubiner’s Cheesemongers and Rubi’s Café. Private residences are located on the upper floors.
