Williams Mascot Spotted in Historic Photograph
In one of our favorite photographs a cow has somehow found its way to the front of Griffin Hall. This is one of the entrancing images of Williamstown and Williams College shot by Warren in 1865.
Beyond the mascot-related cuteness the photograph also reflects a fascinating period in the town’s development. When housing lots were set out in 1751, a space 250′ wide was left for the road running east-west through town (today’s Main Street). Although residents owned meadowland outside of town on which to run livestock, they also grazed cattle, geese, etc. in this central area. Use of the wide street as a commons forced Main Street home owners to erect fences to protect gardens and trees from straying animals.
By about 1876, however, after years of haggling in town meetings, pasturage on the town common was forbidden. And the fences started to come down (some said with help from students keen on making bonfires).
Look down Williamstown’s Main Street today and you’ll see vestiges of the area that was once used as a town common. – SKB