Shutesbury, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Shutesbury is a town
in Franklin County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 1,810 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
was officially incorporated as Shutesbury in 1761. The town was renamed in honor of Samuel Shute
, former governor. Logging
has been an important economic activity in the town for the past 200 years.
Since the expansion of the University of Massachusetts Amherst
, Shutesbury has grown in size steadily from the 1970s. New strict zoning laws have changed building regulations to stay rural.
The December 2008 Northeast ice storm
(December 11, 2008) inflicted heavy damage on the forests in the town, coating trees with a ½-inch to 1-inch thick layer of ice. Tree limbs came crashing down on power lines, houses, and cars. Power was out in Shutesbury for up to ten days, and the state of Massachusetts
declared a state of emergency. The estimated cost of cleaning up ranged from $50,000 to $100,000. The National Guard was called in to help with cleanup, and the worst-hit part of town, Wendell Road and Pelham Hill Road, was decimated by fallen trees.
, the town has a total area of 27.2 square miles (70.4 km²), of which 26.6 square miles (68.9 km²) are land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) (2.06%) is water. Shutesbury lies at the northern end of the western branch of the Quabbin Reservoir
. The West Branch of the Swift River still flows through town to the reservoir, and the eastern half of town is defined by the hills leading to the river. The brooks in the eastern part of town lead to this river, while the brooks in the western part of town flow towards the Connecticut River
. In the northwest corner of town lies the Wyola Reservoir, surrounded by marshes. The center of town is dominated by high plains, between the valley ridge and the hills on the edge of the Pioneer Valley
. A portion of the hills in the eastern part of town are protected as part of the Shutesbury State Forest.
Shutesbury lies along the southern border of Franklin County, along the border of Hampshire County
. Shutesbury is bordered by Wendell
to the north, New Salem
to the east, Pelham
to the south, Amherst
to the southwest, and Leverett
to the west. The town center lies 17 miles (27.4 km) southeast of the county seat of Greenfield
, 30 miles (48.3 km) north of Springfield
, and 81 miles (130.4 km) west of Boston
.
The town has no interstates or limited-access highways, lying east of Interstate 91
and south of Route 2. U.S. Route 202
, known locally as Daniel Shays Highway
, is the only highway through town, entering from Pelham and heading through the southeast corner of town before heading into New Salem. There are no means of mass transit within the town, with the nearest railroad passing through Leverett and Amherst along the Amtrak
Vermonter
line. The nearest general aviation airports are north of the town, in Montague
and Orange
, with the nearest national air service being at Bradley International Airport
in Connecticut.
of 2000, there were 1,810 people, 662 households, and 479 families residing in the town. The population density
was 68.0 people per square mile (26.3/km²). There were 807 housing units at an average density of 30.3 per square mile (11.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.70% White, 1.05% African American, 0.55% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.44% from other races
, and 2.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15% of the population.
There were 662 households out of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 17.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,438, and the median income for a family was $65,521. Males had a median income of $44,000 versus $32,069 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $26,260. About 1.0% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Franklin County
Franklin County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,535 people, 29,466 households, and 18,416 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 31,939 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,810 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan area
The Springfield Metropolitan Area is a region that is socio-economically and culturally tied to the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines the Springfield metropolitan statistical area as consisting of three counties in Western Massachusetts. As of...
.
History
Shutesbury was first settled in 1735, when it was called Road Town, because its only purpose was that of a road between towns. Road TownRoad Town
-See also:* Government House, the official residence of the Governor of the British Virgin Islands located in Road Town-External links:*****...
was officially incorporated as Shutesbury in 1761. The town was renamed in honor of Samuel Shute
Samuel Shute
Samuel Shute was a military officer and royal governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. After serving in the Nine Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession, he was appointed by King George I as governor of Massachusetts in 1716...
, former governor. Logging
Logging
Logging is the cutting, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks.In forestry, the term logging is sometimes used in a narrow sense concerning the logistics of moving wood from the stump to somewhere outside the forest, usually a sawmill or a lumber yard...
has been an important economic activity in the town for the past 200 years.
Since the expansion of the University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
, Shutesbury has grown in size steadily from the 1970s. New strict zoning laws have changed building regulations to stay rural.
The December 2008 Northeast ice storm
December 2008 Northeast ice storm
The December 2008 ice storm of New England and Upstate New York was a damaging ice storm that took out power for millions of people in those regions. The storm was deemed the worst ice storm in a decade for New England and the most severe in 21 years for Upstate New York...
(December 11, 2008) inflicted heavy damage on the forests in the town, coating trees with a ½-inch to 1-inch thick layer of ice. Tree limbs came crashing down on power lines, houses, and cars. Power was out in Shutesbury for up to ten days, and the state of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
declared a state of emergency. The estimated cost of cleaning up ranged from $50,000 to $100,000. The National Guard was called in to help with cleanup, and the worst-hit part of town, Wendell Road and Pelham Hill Road, was decimated by fallen trees.
Geography and Transportation
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 27.2 square miles (70.4 km²), of which 26.6 square miles (68.9 km²) are land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) (2.06%) is water. Shutesbury lies at the northern end of the western branch of the Quabbin Reservoir
Quabbin Reservoir
The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was built between 1930 and 1939. Today along with the Wachusett Reservoir, it is the primary water supply for Boston, some to the east, as well as 40 other communities in Greater Boston...
. The West Branch of the Swift River still flows through town to the reservoir, and the eastern half of town is defined by the hills leading to the river. The brooks in the eastern part of town lead to this river, while the brooks in the western part of town flow towards the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
. In the northwest corner of town lies the Wyola Reservoir, surrounded by marshes. The center of town is dominated by high plains, between the valley ridge and the hills on the edge of the Pioneer Valley
Pioneer Valley
The Pioneer Valley is the colloquial name for the U.S. Commonwealth of Massachusetts's portion of the Connecticut River Valley. The Pioneer Valley consists of three counties in Massachusetts which collectively feature much of New England's most fertile farmland...
. A portion of the hills in the eastern part of town are protected as part of the Shutesbury State Forest.
Shutesbury lies along the southern border of Franklin County, along the border of Hampshire County
Hampshire County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 152,251 people, 55,991 households, and 33,818 families residing in the county. The population density was 288 people per square mile . There were 58,644 housing units at an average density of 111 per square mile...
. Shutesbury is bordered by Wendell
Wendell, Massachusetts
Wendell is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 986 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
to the north, New Salem
New Salem, Massachusetts
New Salem is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 990 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
to the east, Pelham
Pelham, Massachusetts
Pelham is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,403 at the 2000 census. It shares the same zip code as Amherst.Pelham is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
to the south, Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,819, making it the largest community in Hampshire County . The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts...
to the southwest, and Leverett
Leverett, Massachusetts
Leverett is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,663 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
to the west. The town center lies 17 miles (27.4 km) southeast of the county seat of Greenfield
Greenfield, Massachusetts
Greenfield is a city in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 17,456 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Franklin County. Greenfield is home to Greenfield Community College, the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Franklin County Fair...
, 30 miles (48.3 km) north of Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, and 81 miles (130.4 km) west of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
The town has no interstates or limited-access highways, lying east of Interstate 91
Interstate 91
Interstate 91 is an Interstate Highway in the New England region of the United States. It provides the primary north–south thoroughfare in the western part of New England...
and south of Route 2. U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
, known locally as Daniel Shays Highway
Daniel Shays
Daniel Shays was an American soldier, revolutionary, and farmer famous for leading the Shays' Rebellion.-Early life:...
, is the only highway through town, entering from Pelham and heading through the southeast corner of town before heading into New Salem. There are no means of mass transit within the town, with the nearest railroad passing through Leverett and Amherst along the Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
Vermonter
Vermonter
Amtrak's Vermonter is a 611-mile passenger train service between St. Albans , New York City and Washington, D.C. One trip runs in each direction per day....
line. The nearest general aviation airports are north of the town, in Montague
Turners Falls Airport
Turners Falls Airport is a public airport located three miles north of the central business district of Montague, a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, USA. The airport is owned by the Town of Montague...
and Orange
Orange Municipal Airport
Orange Municipal Airport, in Orange, Massachusetts, is a public airport owned by Town of Orange. It has two runways, averages 137 flights per day, and has approximately 52 aircraft based on its field.Flight training and parachuting services are available....
, with the nearest national air service being at Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Windsor Locks on the border with East Granby and Suffield, in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is owned by the State of Connecticut....
in Connecticut.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,810 people, 662 households, and 479 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 68.0 people per square mile (26.3/km²). There were 807 housing units at an average density of 30.3 per square mile (11.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.70% White, 1.05% African American, 0.55% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.44% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15% of the population.
There were 662 households out of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 17.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,438, and the median income for a family was $65,521. Males had a median income of $44,000 versus $32,069 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $26,260. About 1.0% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.