Freight Yard Historic District - North Adams, MA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

Off Route 2 and the Route 8 overpass to Adams, and next to the channelized Hoosac River, is a cluster of buildings in a plaza setting that once were part of a railroad yard in town. From the nearby parking lot (from Route 2, take Route 8 south and turn right after the overpass), the buildings are easily visible. Two sets of buildings face each other, while a third is at the end of the plaza. At least part of the building on the left, which houses the North Adams historical and natural science museum, was once a coal bin for the steam locomotives. The building on the end, which houses the state park's Visitors Center, was the depot. I can't find information about the buildings to the right that house a restaurant and shop [Any help from the local people?].

The plaque is located in the Visitors Center exhibit area (freight depot), which states that the place was registered in 1972. The plaque also states that the buildings existed c. 1876, but the database has several years listed (see the field below).

Both museums have exhibits about area industry. The North Adams museum has a little more on the culture and other businesses, while the Visitors Center has more on the nearby Hoosac Tunnel. Both can be visited in about 2 hours. When you are done, sit at the restaurant, which has typical pub-like food.

The database mentions that this place was privately owned and unoccupied. It is obvious that the place is now occupied, but I'm not sure if the state or a private party actually owns the buildings.

More information can be obtained at Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation web site: (visit link)

Street address: 115 State Street Building 4 North Adams, MA United States 01247 County / Borough / Parish: Berkshire Year listed: 1972 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event Periods of significance: 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899 Historic function: Commerce/Trade, Transportation Current function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture Privately owned?: yes Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2008 To: 12/31/2008 Hours of operation: From: 10:00 AM To: 5:00 PM Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/31/2012 oraclebennett visited it