Hinsdale, Massachusetts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hinsdale, Massachusetts
Town
Ashmere Lake from Rte. 143, looking north
Seal
Location in Berkshire County and the state of Massachusetts.
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Berkshire
Settled	1763
Incorporated	1804
Government
• Type	Open town meeting
Area
• Total	21.7 sq mi (56.2 km2)
• Land	20.7 sq mi (53.7 km2)
• Water	1.0 sq mi (2.5 km2)
Elevation	1,442 ft (440 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,919
• Density	88.44/sq mi (34.15/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code	01235
Area code(s)	413
FIPS code	25-30315
GNIS feature ID	0618266

Hinsdale is a small town located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is part of the larger Pittsfield area. In 2020, about 1,919 people lived in Hinsdale.

The History of Hinsdale

Hinsdale was first settled in 1763. It was originally part of a larger area called Northern Berkshire Township Number 2. This area also included parts of what are now Peru, Middlefield, and Dalton.

How Hinsdale Became a Town

In 1771, the town was officially named "Partridgefield." It was named after Oliver Partridge, who was one of the three people who bought the land. Later, in 1804, the western part of Partridgefield became its own town. It was renamed "Hinsdale" after the family of Rev. Theodore Hinsdale. His family owned an important woolen mill in the area. This mill was very important for the town's economy until it closed during the Great Depression.

Historic Trails and Railways

Hinsdale is special because it has two important long-distance routes. One is the famous Appalachian Trail, a long hiking path. The other is the Boston and Albany Railroad. This railway is still used today by the Lake Shore Limited passenger train. This train has been running from Boston to Chicago since 1897. The train station in Hinsdale closed in 1954.

Geography and Nature in Hinsdale

Panorama print of Hinsdale by L. R. Burleigh with listing of sights

Hinsdale covers about 56.2 square kilometers (21.7 square miles). Most of this area is land, with about 2.5 square kilometers (1 square mile) being water. The town is located in the middle of Berkshire County. It shares borders with Windsor to the north and Peru to the east. To the south is Washington, and to the west is Dalton.

Natural Features and Waterways

Hinsdale is nestled in the Berkshire Hills. Many people live in a valley along the East Branch of the Housatonic River. This river starts just south of the town. A large part of the land around the river is a swampy area. It is called the Hinsdale Flats Wildlife Management Reserve.

The town has four reservoirs: Belmont, Plunkett, Cleveland Brook, and part of the Windsor Reservoir. You can also find part of Muddy Pond and most of Lake Ashmere here. The Appalachian Trail crosses through the town, going over Tully Mountain. Hinsdale is also home to several summer camps and a country club.

Transportation in Hinsdale

CSX tracks looking south from Route 8

Massachusetts Route 8 runs through Hinsdale. Route 143 starts in the center of town. A CSX Transportation rail line also goes through Hinsdale. This line is used by Amtrak passenger trains and freight trains.

For bus service, Hinsdale is the eastern end of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority. If you need to travel further, you can find more bus services in Pittsfield. Pittsfield also has a small airport. For national flights, the closest major airport is Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.

Population and People of Hinsdale

In 2020, Hinsdale had 1,919 residents. There were 798 households and 1,126 housing units in the town.

In 2000, about 31.5% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.53 people. The average family had 3.04 people. The median age in town was 38 years old.

Education in Hinsdale

Hinsdale is part of the Central Berkshire Regional School District. This is the largest school district in Massachusetts by land area. Young students in Hinsdale go to Kittredge Elementary School in town. Students from Peru also attend this school.

For middle school, all students in the district go to Nessacus Regional Middle School in Dalton. For high school, they attend Wahconah Regional High School, also in Dalton. There are no private schools in Hinsdale itself. The closest ones are in the Pittsfield area.

If students want to go to college, Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield is nearby. The closest state college is Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams. The closest state university is the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Fun Places to Visit in Hinsdale

Hinsdale Town Library, built in 1866, has a unique French Tudor style.

• Bas Ridge Golf Course
• Berkshire Lake Camp
• Camp Danbee
• Camp Emerson
• Camp Romaca
• Camp Taconic
• Hinsdale Public Library
• Hinsdale Town Hall
• Israel Bissell Homestead and Grave
• Lake Ashmere
• Plunkett Lake

Famous People from Hinsdale

• Israel Bissell: He was a patriot during the American Revolution. He helped spread the news of the British attack at the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775. He lived and died in Hinsdale.
• Anne Froelick: A talented screenwriter.
• Daniel Webster Gill: He was the Mayor of Cheyenne and a member of the Wyoming Senate.
• Augustus P. Hascall: A congressman from New York.
• Henry Howard: A banker, businessman, and mayor of Detroit. He was also the first treasurer of Michigan.
• Francis E. Warren: The first governor of Wyoming.
• Merrick Wing: A state senator from Wisconsin.
• Ashley B. Wright: A congressman from Massachusetts.

See also

In Spanish: Hinsdale (Massachusetts) para niños