Old Route 7: Along the Berkshire Highway (MA) (Images of America) [Paperback]

Gary T. Leveille (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 19, 2001

Winding through the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, the former Native American footpath known as Route 7 has long been an icon of beauty, vitality, entertainment, change, controversy, and even humor. The scenic towns and villages nestled along this historic highway have many common bonds. Stretching north from Canaan, Connecticut, to Williamstown, Massachusetts, Berkshire Route 7 provides a roadside rich in history. Artist Norman Rockwell's studio once stood proudly alongside this road; the first practical electrical transformer for alternating current was developed in a laboratory next to Route 7; legendary civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois was born just a block from the highway; President Theodore Roosevelt was injured in a trolley accident on a busy stretch of the road; humorist Josh Billings's large tombstone overlooks Route 7; the first woman to vote legally in the United States cast her ballot just a stone's throw from the road. As Route 7 redefined itself from dusty footpath to asphalt avenue, postcard makers and photograph takers captured the changes along the way. Old Route 7 contains more than 225 vintage images, many of which date back as far as the 1870s. Open this book and take a stroll along old Route 7. You will see many incredible sights: forgotten quarries, old drive-in movie theaters, trolley-car diners, full-service gas stations, and roadside tourist stops such as Red Bat Cave in New Ashford. Family farms, welcoming woodlands, majestic mountains, beautiful waterways, and even an occasional stately elm remain to remind us of how quickly these treasures could be lost.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Gary T. Leveille is a writer, editor, and director of Berkshire Creative Communications. A local historian, he resides in Great Barrington near Route 7.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (March 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738505390
• ISBN-13: 978-0738505398
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,150,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Leveille resides with his family in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He is the author of several books including EYE OF SHAWENON - a fascinating history of the border towns located along the southern Berkshires of western Massachusetts and eastern Columbia County, New York. He also wrote AROUND GREAT BARRINGTON -- a history of the town as told through vintage postcards, and the best-selling photo history entitled OLD ROUTE 7 - ALONG THE BERKSHIRE HIGHWAY.

Gary is principal of Berkshire Creative Communications, and has over 30 years experience as a writer, editor, author, publisher and newspaper columnist. Gary was formerly a senior editor and editorial project supervisor for Hasbro Games in Springfield, MA. He has worked on numerous editorial projects for Milton Bradley, Hasbro, Parker Brothers, Disney, National Geographic, Antiques Roadshow and many others.

Gary is a columnist for The Berkshire Record where he produces the popular "Then and Now" photo history column. An avid local historian and researcher, he is a member of the Great Barrington Historical Commission and serves on the Board of Directors of the Great Barrington Historical Society. He is also a member of the Berkshire Historical Society and the Columbia County Historical Society.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Berkshire views with a sense of humor!, December 11, 2009

By 

Christian D. Goodwillie "Christian" (West Stockbridge, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Old Route 7: Along the Berkshire Highway (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

For those of us who call the Berkshires home, as well as those who summer there, this book is a delightful guide to the southern approach into Berkshire County. The illustrations are thoughtfully selected by Mr. Leveille a longtime local resident and historian. His comments illuminate the past of southern Berkshire County, and often inject a welcome dash of humor that propels the reader along on this road-trip into the past. Highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars History that sparkles and shines, December 11, 2009

By 

Lighten up - See all my reviews

This review is from: Old Route 7: Along the Berkshire Highway (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

Over the past ten years, I've purchased nearly a dozen different books by publisher Arcadia. The vintage photos are generally superb, but the text is sometimes mundane, even drab. Not this time! The author of this book brings history to life with his well-researched and entertaining text. He uses occasional lightheartedness to create sparkling commentary. It is obvious that he put extra time and effort into his writing - and it stands a cut above the norm. I found the book to be fascinating and refreshing.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars author/editor isn't funny, June 16, 2009

By 

x "x" (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Old Route 7: Along the Berkshire Highway (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

I enjoyed the photos in the book, as has been the case with several other publications from the Images of America series (Arcadia). However, this publication's author tries to inject comedy into his work and fails. The bad puns and other attempted witticisms actually detracted from the book. Still worth buying for the images, but maybe skip the accompanying text.