Florida, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Florida, Massachusetts
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| Town of Florida | |||||
Welcome sign along the Mohawk Trail
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Location in Berkshire County and Massachusetts.
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| Country | United States | ||||
| State | Massachusetts | ||||
| County | Berkshire | ||||
| Settled | 1783 | ||||
| Incorporated | 1805 | ||||
| Government | |||||
| • Type | Open town meeting | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 24.6 sq mi (63.7 km2) | ||||
| • Land | 24.4 sq mi (63.1 km2) | ||||
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km2) | ||||
| Elevation | 1,895 ft (578 m) | ||||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 694 | ||||
| • Density | 28.22/sq mi (10.895/km2) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | ||||
| ZIP code |
01247, 01343
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| Area code(s) | 413 | ||||
| FIPS code | 25-24120 | ||||
| GNIS feature ID | 0619419 | ||||
Florida is a small town located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It's part of the larger Pittsfield area.
This town is famous for the eastern entrance of the Hoosac Tunnel. You can also find Whitcomb Summit here, which is the highest point on the scenic Mohawk Trail. Whitcomb Summit is about 2,172 feet (662 meters) high. The village of Drury is also part of Florida. In 2020, about 694 people lived in Florida. Even though it's called 'Florida,' this town is actually the coldest and snowiest place in Massachusetts!
Contents
A Look Back: Florida's History
The area where Florida is today was first settled by Europeans around 1783. The land was originally given to the town of Bernardston, Massachusetts. Dr. Daniel Nelson was one of the first settlers to arrive. The town officially became "Florida" in 1805. Some people think it was named after Spanish Florida, which was a popular topic at the time.
For many years, Florida was mostly a farming town. Its main products were maple syrup, wool, and potatoes. However, in the mid-1800s, the town became very busy. This was because workers were building the Hoosac Tunnel. This long railroad tunnel starts in Florida and goes through the Hoosac Range mountains to North Adams.
The famous writer Nathaniel Hawthorne once called the town "Lebrida" in his notebooks. He also called the Hoosac Range "the Green Mountain." It's possible "Lebrida" was a different name for Florida back then. Today, Florida is a quiet town, and most residents work in nearby communities. In 2012, the Hoosac Wind Power Project, a wind farm, was built here and in the neighboring town of Monroe.
Exploring Florida's Geography
Florida covers about 24.6 square miles (63.7 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
The town is located at 42° 39'57.77"N, 72° 56'29.38"W. It shares borders with several other towns and a state. To the north is Stamford, Vermont. To the east are Monroe and Rowe. To the south are Charlemont and Savoy. To the west are Adams, North Adams, and Clarksburg. Most of Florida's population lives along the Mohawk Trail and in its small villages like Drury.
Florida is located near the highest parts of the Hoosac Range mountains. Several rivers and brooks flow through the town, mostly leading to the Deerfield River. The Deerfield River forms much of Florida's eastern border. The town also includes parts of three state forests: Monroe State Forest, Savoy Mountain State Forest, and Mohawk Trail State Forest. The highest point in Florida is about 2,830 feet (863 meters) above sea level.
Massachusetts Route 2, also known as the Mohawk Trail, crosses through the middle of Florida. It goes over Whitcomb Summit, which is the highest point on the trail. At Whitcomb Summit, there's a monument from the Elks Club, honoring their help in improving the trails and working on the Hoosac Tunnel. Whitcomb Summit offers amazing views of the surrounding valleys. Just west of the town line, the West Summit also provides great views of the Hoosic River valley.
The Hoosac Tunnel is about 4.75 miles (7.64 kilometers) long and carries a railway underneath the town. There are no train stops in Florida. The closest bus service and regional airport are in North Adams. For national flights, the nearest airport is Albany International Airport.
People and Population in Florida
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 561 | — |
| 1860 | 645 | +15.0% |
| 1870 | 1,322 | +105.0% |
| 1880 | 459 | −65.3% |
| 1890 | 436 | −5.0% |
| 1900 | 390 | −10.6% |
| 1910 | 395 | +1.3% |
| 1920 | 298 | −24.6% |
| 1930 | 307 | +3.0% |
| 1940 | 421 | +37.1% |
| 1950 | 479 | +13.8% |
| 1960 | 569 | +18.8% |
| 1970 | 672 | +18.1% |
| 1980 | 730 | +8.6% |
| 1990 | 742 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 676 | −8.9% |
| 2010 | 752 | +11.2% |
| 2020 | 694 | −7.7% |
| 2022* | 681 | −1.9% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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In 2000, there were 676 people living in Florida. This made it one of the smaller towns in Berkshire County. The town had 265 households, with 196 of them being families.
About 32.8% of households had children under 18 living there. Most households (65.7%) were married couples. About 22.6% of households were single individuals. The average household had 2.55 people, and the average family had 2.99 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 25.1% were under 18 years old. About 30.8% were between 25 and 44 years old. About 13.9% were 65 years or older. The average age in Florida was 40 years.
Learning and Schools in Florida
Florida has one school called the Gabriel Abbott Memorial School. This school teaches students from kindergarten all the way through eighth grade. It also serves students from the nearby town of Monroe.
After eighth grade, students from Florida go to high school in North Adams. They can choose to attend either Drury High School or Charles H. McCann Technical High School.
For higher education, the closest community college is Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield. The nearest public college is the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams. The closest private college is Williams College in Williamstown.
See Also
In Spanish: Florida (Massachusetts) para niños
