Wednesday, October 14, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Gary Leveille

Gary Leveille is presently buried beneath piles of vintage photographs as the Great Barrington Historical Society's volunteer archivist. He has over 35 years' experience as a writer, editor, humorist, researcher, photographer, author, publisher and newspaper columnist. Gary served as a senior editor and editorial project supervisor for Hasbro Games in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is also the author of several books about the Southern Berkshires.

written articles

THEN & NOW: Jug End

According to tradition, a mountainous site in the southwest corner of Egremont was named “Jug End” by early Dutch settlers from New York State. The name is said by some to mean “youth” or “new beginnings.”

THEN & NOW: The Egremont trolley

In 1910, the Berkshire Street Railway trolley line was extended from Great Barrington to the Congregational Church in South Egremont.

THEN & NOW: The Great Barrington Airport

From odoriferous onion fields to an important part of the southern Berkshires, here's a visual look back at our local airport.

THEN & NOW: Stockbridge Road / Housatonic Flats

In the past, excessive rainfall caused the Housatonic River to back up and flood lower portions of Route 7. Flooding was greatly reduced after the dam was removed in the early 1960s.

THEN & NOW: The Ashley Falls Marble Quarry

The quarry was a "rock-solid" employer from 1876 until a 1916 fire burned the entire plant to the ground. The quarry is now a private pond and home.

THEN & NOW: The Glendale School in Stockbridge

Although the school was closed in 1944 and the building demolished in 1957, remnants of the school's sizable outhouse can still be seen along Route 183.

THEN & NOW: The Pixley House on Stockbridge Road

In recent decades, the building was home to Locke Stock & Barrel Gourmet Grocer. It recently reopened as The Marketplace Specialty Foods.

THEN & NOW: Marcel’s Cleaning Center

The state-of-the-art dry cleaning and laundry facility was operated by Marcel and Dorothy Brunell.

THEN & NOW: Monument Mills in Housatonic

Located on Park Street, the brick structures were part of the complex known as Waubeek Mills, which made bedspreads.

THEN & NOW: The Church family home becomes a Great Barrington park

Why raze such a handsome dwelling? Perhaps the octagonal abode didn’t hold up well structurally once the train track was built next to it.

GARY LEVEILLE: Sixth Annual Satirical Holiday House Tour

The Southern Berkshire Hysterical Society again brings you a free tour of some unusual homes in our area, no ticket required.

THEN & NOW: The 12 days of Christmas past, South County edition

On the first day of Christmas, my local historian gave to me, 12 trips down memory lane.

THEN & NOW: Cove Bowling Lanes

Although the future of the site is unclear, the history of Cove Bowling Lanes can be told through text and photographic evidence from the 1940s through today.

THEN & NOW: The Ferncliff School in Lee

The Ferncliff School was described with enthusiasm when it opened in 1886. Surprisingly, the school lasted for little more than 10 years.

THEN & NOW: Prospect Lake Park and Cliff House

Prospect Lake Park in North Egremont opened as a picnic ground in 1876.

THEN & NOW: Sandisfield ‘covered bridge’

One of the longest covered bridges in Massachusetts once spanned the Farmington River in Sandisfield.
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