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The Depot - 450 Housatonic Street,
Dalton, MA (413) 684-1730
BAR - RESTAURANT - ENTERTAINMENT - FUNCTIONS |
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Wings
to Steak - Soups, Salads, Burgers, Pasta, Seafood, Dessert ...and More! |
| Great Food, Great
Drink, Great Friends, Great Entertainment! |
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| History Of The Depot |
| Although The
Dalton Depot has undergone many changes over the years, it is still one of the greatest
historical landmarks in Berkshire County. From a bustling train depot in the 1800's, a
machine shop in the 1950's, a tavern in 1976 and a popular bar and restaurant today, The
Depot has history inside and out. Whether you're a railroad buff or a Berkshire
Historian, The Depot is a great place to visit, relax and wait for the next train to roar
by. We have put together a little bit of The Depot's history in this section, which
we hope you enjoy. So, whether you're a first time visitor to The Berkshires, a
returning visitor, or a local resident, a stop at The Depot is a must. |
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Passengers
wait for a train at The Dalton Depot at the turn of the century |
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A Little
Bit Of Berkshire County and Dalton Railroad History, taken from the book:
A Bicentennial History of Dalton, Massachusetts 1784-1984 |
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| R.F. Morgan of Stockbridge, in 1826, raised money for a survey of a
proposed railroad route from Springfield to State Line in West Stockbridge. A number
of methods for surmounting the mountain ridge along Berkshire's eastern border had been
proposed over the years, including a canal route over Windsor. Ultimately, the railroad builders had to tunnel through the Mountain in
Florida and cut large chunks from the sides of the mountains in Chester to get through.
This latter was for the Western Railroad (later Boston & Albany) which was
proposed in 1827 and finally received its charter 10 years later. Its construction
was a major engineering feat. The road was completed in 1842 under Maj. George
Washington Whistler as chief engineer. The Chester to Hinsdale section was done in
1839, the Dalton leg not long after. |
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Bradbury
& Guild's "Rail Road Charts" (1847) gives this description of coming through
town from Hinsdale "... The view on the north side of the line from the cars is
extended and beautiful in the highest degree. The Housatonic, now considerably
below, winds through a rich and fertile meadow; the village of Dalton is spread out among
the trees in full view; while, far to the north, a chain of hills, covered with a thick
forest, presents a rough contrast to the delightful meadows near at hand. Dalton
Station is a short distance south of the village. Crossing the east branch of the
Housatonic, by a slight ascending grade, we arrive from Pittsfield." |
A
locomotive rolls into Dalton Station |
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| A Western
Railroad timetable for December, 1843 shows trains leaving Dalton going west at 9:50,
3:15, and (freight) 10:35 daily. Going the opposite way, they left at 10, 6
and (freight) 12. Dalton's second passenger
depot opened with a great clambake in September, 1888. Granite used in the
foundation was said to have come from the Washington cut three miles outside of Hinsdale.
Six months before, travel on the line had been halted for five days by the
notorious Blizzard of January, 1888.
The first station agent in Dalton was H.M. Parker, followed
by J.H. Adams (1877-1896), L.P. Adams (1896-1900) and H.G. Adams (1902-1952). Howard
Adams retired in 1952, when the station closed, the last of three generations to hold the
job.
There was also a freight depot here. After the passenger
station closed, it housed a machine shop and electrical service for several years before
becoming a tavern in 1976. |
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Passengers
wait for a train at The Dalton Depot in the 1800's |
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The
Dalton Depot |
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The
Dalton Depot from the tracks looking east. |
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| View
from Day Mountain shows Old Berkshire Mill below, Craneville School in distance.
Engine 221 is puffing up the incline, the steepest in the state. |
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| Standing
at left at the Dalton depot is Henry Parker, first railroad agent. Beside him are
Howard Adams with truck, John Henry Adams and unidentified passengers. |
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Passengers
wait for a train at The Dalton Depot |
We
are seeking additional information on The Dalton Depot's history, any information would be
greatly appreciated. |
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