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Colrain

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2007 Population.......................1,857
2007 Registered voters................1,183
1999 Per capita income..............$18,948
2009 Average tax bill................$2,687
1999 Median family income...........$46,518
2003 Estimated Budget............$2,200,000

 

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 Town Hall....................(413 )624-3454
Town Clerk..................Judith Sullivan
Town Coordinator...............Fred Rees
Treasurer....................Leah C. Coburn
Police Officer ...............Scott Sullivan
Fire Chief.....................David Celino
School Suptintendent.....Michael Buoniconti
Selectboard..........(chair) Michael Beausoleil
Duane Scranton
Mark Thibodeau

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Colrain Historical Society, consolidated with the G. William Pitt House and Collection on Main Street. The collection illustrates a variety of lifestyles from the many villages making up the town of Colrain. It includes decorative objects, household items, farming equipment, textiles and clothing. Also featured are books and papers on Colrain history. Open by appointment and during the Coleraine Village Fair. Call 413-624-0106.

Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge, on Lyonsville Road, spanned the North River. The 120-year old, 100- foot bridge was removed from its abutments in 1991 and is undergoing renovation at the site.

Catamount State Forest, located on 1,125 acres in southwestern Colrain and eastern Charlemont, accessible from Four Mile Square Road. A 27-acre lake and nearby streams are stocked with trout. The area offers hiking and bridle trails as well as the opportunity for various winter activities. Call 413-339-5504 for further information.

H. O. Cook State Forest, located one-mile east of Route 8A on State Farm Road in the northwestern Colrain and northeastern Heath, one-half mile south of the Vermont state line. Its 1,620 acres offer hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding trails and winter activities. The more than five miles of streams include native brook trout. Call 413-339-5504 for further information.

Colrain Village Fair is a celebration of community that happens in the center of town in September. For more information call 413-624-0106 or 624-3454.

Crafts of Colrain Studio Tour features about 20 artisans at work. The event happens in November. For more information call 413-624-1200.

 

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Before 1761, when it was incorporated as a town, "Coleraine" was called Boston Township. Many of the original settlers were immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, and it is said that the town was named in honor of Lord Coleraine, an Irish peer. According to local tradition, Lord Coleraine was so well pleased by this that he sent a fine bell to the townspeople. Unfortunately, the bell never arrived. Apparently, so the story goes, It was sold by the unscrupulous agent to whom it was entrusted, and was installed in a church in Boston.

An article published in 1839 states: "Coleraine has a larger population than any other town in Franklin County. It is finely watered by two branches of North River, a tributary of Deerfield River, affording water power for a number of factories in various parts of the town, which are now in successful operation. ... the road in some places passes at a great elevation from the bed of the (North) river, and to a lover of natural scenery in its varied forms this place possesses uncommon attractions.

In 1837, there were three cotton mills operating in whcih "40 males and 120 females were employed." These factories produced 930,000 yards of cotton goods, valued at $59,000. The local iron foundry made 150 tons of iron castings. Doors, sash and blinds, and various other articles were manufactured in the town as well. Raising sheep was also an important occupation, and during the same year there were 4,340 merino and 1,414 other kinds of sheep in the town.

Colrain is the site of the first public school to fly the United States flag.