BerkshiresPeru, MA history, information, demographics
Peru is a bedroom community for the mills in Dalton, Pittsfield, Springfield and West Springfield. With the highest town center in the state, more than half of Peru is woodlands, including the Dorothy Frances Rice Wildlife Sanctuary.
The only lake in Peru is the privately-owned Garnet Lake. Garnet Mountain Monument commemorates 15 soldiers who were killed in a plane crash on Garnet Mountain during World War II.
Peru, MA facts:
- Town Hall: 3 East Main Rd.
- Phone: (413) 655-8312
- Population: 821
- Settled/Inc'd: 1767
- Named for: Oliver Partridge (see note below)
- Elevation: 2,295'
- Demographic data: state.ma.us/
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Peru was incorporated on July 4, 1771 as ...
"Peru was incorporated on July 4, 1771, as Partridgefield, named after Oliver Partridge, one of the original purchasers of the grant....When the village was renamed in 1806, townsmen explained, 'Like Peru in South America, we are in the mountains, and though there is no gold and silver under the rocks, our town favors hard money and begins with a P.'" (The Berkshire Hills, by Federal Writers' Project, © 1939, Berkshire Hills Conference, Inc.)