About Barre

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Barre Gazette

A short history of Barre, Massachusetts from Images of America: Barre written by Lester Paquin*

The town of Barre is set among the hills and valleys of Central Massachusetts like a gem. From several vantage points, Mt. Wachusett's rounded slopes may be glimpsed, and in the distance, in the opposite direction, is the lengthy shoreline of the Quabbin Reservoir. Lying between these natural landmarks, Barre is geographically a diamond. Demographically, it has a population approaching 5,000 residents**. The area of more than 40 square miles has many entities as owners. These include the Metropolitan District Commission, which cares for Boston's water supplies, and conservation organizations attempting to keep parts of the state green. Together, they protect more than one-third of the community from residential development.

Before Barre became a town, it was simply called the Northwest District of Rutland. Then, as settlers became numerous enough to maintain some degree of self-government, it became Rutland District. Twenty-five years saw the evolution completed, because an act passed on June 14, 1774, by the Massachusetts General Court, as our state legislature is called, incorporated what had been Rutland District as the Town of Hutchinson, honoring a former royal governor. The name was unpopular with the townspeople. Like other colonists, they were struggling for their own identity and freedom. They felt Thomas Hutchinson had been one of the impediments in that endeavor. Soon after the first guns of the Revolution were fired, the town petitioned to have the name replaced. In June of 1776, it was accomplished and the name chosen was Barre, honoring Colonel Isaac Barre, a member of the British Parliament who espoused the cause of the colonists.

In its infancy, Barre, like the new nation, was predominantly rural in nature and farming was the principal economic activity. But with freedom came the right to experiment, to invent, to manufacture the goods previously forbidden by royal proclamation. The Industrial Revolution reached Barre and many villages bloomed within the town, sustained by shops, mills, and stores. For a time, several successful industries-including textiles, gunpowder, and wood products-operated continuously, but in the 20th century these were narrowed down to two major companies: the Charles G. Allen Co. in Barre and the Barre Wool Combing Co. Ltd. in South Barre.

Now, tourism has become a major business. Fall foliage, hunting, fishing, the Woods Memorial Library and its museum, and the Barre Historical Society with archives valuable to genealogical researchers and historians are among the attractions. Tourism is enhanced by suitable accommodations. For slightly more than 100 years, the Hotel Barre graced the western perimeter of the Common and truly was the "Jewel of Central Massachusetts," but a tragic fire in 1990 ended its reign. We have moved forward and bed-and-breakfasts at the Harding Allen Estate, the Wholesome Hearth, the Jenkins Inn, Hartman's in the western part of town, and the Stevens Farm in the eastern section have filled the void and become attractions in themselves with fine lodging and delectable food.

To nourish the spirit, Barre has several religious denominations and churches. There is also the Insight Meditation Society, the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies on Pleasant Street, and a magnificent cross at John Harty's.

We are fortunate that, in 1834, a weekly newspaper called the Barre Gazette was established and the history of the town has been documented continuously in its pages through all the intervening years. Since the invention of the camera, the resulting pictures, which have been collected, are generously accessible. This book, using photographs from Barre's past and present, is a gift to all who peruse these pages. The changes that have taken place since many of the pictures were taken prove that Barre is a wonderful, resilient town and is still one of the best places in the world to live. The town motto "Tranquil and Alert" still holds true.

*Copyrighted in 1999 by the Barre Historical Society
**As of 1999, when the book was written.