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Summer 2004
  Articles on this page: • Background on the City of Pittsfield: Background on the City of Pittsfield: Pittsfield is the commercial, political and social center of the Berkshire. The county seat since 1868, Pittsfield is the largest community in the Berkshires and serves as the region's industrial-manufacturing center. Some of the county's largest companies are in the city (General Dynamics Defense Systems, G E Plastics, Berkshire Life, KB Toys and Berkshire Medical Center). Pittsfield was founded in 1761, named after British Prime Minister William Pitt (who would later take up the American colonists cause before the revolution.) In 1885, Pittsfield was selected as one of the 20 most productive agricultural communities in Massachusetts. Pittsfield was incorporated as a city in 1891. During World War II, more than 10,000 people worked in the GE plant. Population peaked in the 1950's at about 58,000. The city has had its fair share of famous residents who have made major contributions to the nation's history, including: Herman Melville, who wrote Moby Dick at Arrowhead (one of Pittsfield Historic homes); Civil War Colonel William F. Bartlett who rose from private to become the youngest major general in the war at the age of 24; and Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Whittlesley who won the Congressional Medal of Honor as commander of the "Lost Battalion" during World War I. Keeping Us Safe 24-HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBERS Police, Fire or Medical Emergency 911 (Alternative emergency number 499-7220) Alcoholics Anonymous 443-0212 Al-Anon /Alateen 445-5852 Battered Women's Hotline – Rape Crisis 443-0089 Berkshire Mental Health Crisis Intervention 499-0412 Children at Risk Hotline 1-800-792-5200 Berkshire Recovery Center 442-1400 Parents Helping Parents 1-800-882-1250 Parental Stress Line 1-800-632-8188 Poison control 1-800-682-9211 Crisis Emergency Services 499-0412 Non-emergency numbers Pittsfield Police Department 39 Allen St. Dispatch 448-9700 Detective Bureau 448-9705 Records bureau 448-9711 Traffic bureau 448-9714 Animal control officer 448-9750 Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program officer 448-9712 Pittsfield Fire Department Headquarters: 74 Columbus Avenue Fire prevention and other business 448-9764 State Police Cheshire 1-413-743-4700 Lee 1-413-243-0600 Berkshire County Hazardous Materials Response Team 448-9764 Non-emergency number for information about toxic chemical spills and hazardous waste. Statistics: Population: 41,728 Registered Voters: 28,506 Democrats: 13,060 Republicans: 3,459 Unenrolled and other: 11,987 Average House Value: $122,500 Average Single-family Tax Bill: $2,216 Number of housing units: 21,366 Total Area: 42.32 square miles Normal Temperature in January: 23 Normal Temperature in July: 69  RETURN TO TOP |
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