Peru, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peru, Massachusetts
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Entering Peru
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Location in Berkshire County and the state of Massachusetts.
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Berkshire | |
| Settled | 1767 | |
| Incorporated | 1771 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 26.0 sq mi (67.4 km2) | |
| • Land | 25.9 sq mi (67.1 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2) | |
| Elevation | 2,064 ft (629 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 814 | |
| • Density | 31.28/sq mi (12.077/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP code |
01235
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| Area code(s) | 413 | |
| FIPS code | 25-53050 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0619423 | |
Peru is a small town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It's known for its beautiful natural areas. In 2020, the town had a population of 814 people.
Contents
History of Peru
Peru has an interesting past! It was first settled in 1767. Back then, it had a long name: Northern Berkshire Township Number 2.
In 1771, the town became officially recognized as Partridgefield. It was named after Oliver Partridge, one of the people who bought the land.
The name was changed to Peru in 1806. A local minister, Rev. John Leland, suggested the name. He thought it was a good fit because, like the country Peru in South America, it's a mountain town.
Plane Crash in Peru
On August 15, 1942, a C-53 "Skytrooper" plane crashed in Peru. This troop transport plane was carrying soldiers. The accident happened on Garnet Peak (also called Garnet Hill).
Sadly, 16 of the 19 men on board passed away. The plane was flying from North Carolina to Hyannis, Massachusetts. It crashed in bad weather conditions. A monument was put up in 1946 to remember those who were lost.
Geography and Nature
Peru is located on the eastern side of Berkshire County. It covers about 67.4 square kilometers (about 26 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Elevation and Landscape
Peru is a high-up town! It has the highest average elevation in all of Massachusetts. Along with the nearby town of Windsor, it's one of only two towns in the state with an average height above 2,000 feet (610 meters).
The town sits on high ground in the Berkshire Hills. It has three main peaks. Much of Peru is covered by forests. There are also large areas set aside for wildlife and state forests.
Waterways and Rivers
In the western part of Peru, Ashmere Lake flows into Bennett Brook. This brook eventually joins the East Branch of the Housatonic River.
To the east, many small streams, like Trout Brook, flow south and east. These streams feed into the Westfield River. The Westfield River is part of the larger Connecticut River system. Trout Brook is actually one of the main sources of the Westfield River.
Getting Around Peru
The main road that goes through Peru is Massachusetts Route 143. It runs from east to west. There are no other state roads directly in the town.
If you need to get on a major highway, Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) is about 20 miles away in Lee. For public transportation, the closest bus stop is in Hinsdale. You can find train services and a regional airport in Pittsfield. For bigger flights, the nearest international airport is Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.
Population and People
Peru is a small community. In 2000, there were 821 people living in the town. This made it one of the smaller towns in Berkshire County.
Most households in Peru are families. Many have children under 18 living at home. The average age of people in Peru in 2000 was 37 years old.
Education in Peru
Peru is part of the Central Berkshire Regional School District. This is the largest school district in Massachusetts by land area.
Students in Peru travel to Dalton for middle school and high school. They attend Nessacus Regional Middle School for grades six through eight. Then, they go to Wahconah Regional High School for high school.
There are no private schools in Peru itself. The closest ones are in the Pittsfield area. For college, the nearest community college is Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield. The closest state college is Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams. The nearest state university is the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Notable People
- Amos Dresser (1812–1904), a Protestant minister.
- Seraph Frissell, M.D., (1840–1915), a doctor and medical writer.
Images for kids
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Entering Peru
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Seal of Peru, Massachusetts
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Location in Berkshire County and the state of Massachusetts.
See also
In Spanish: Peru (Massachusetts) para niños
