The forming of Monterey

Monterey, Massachusetts was one of the four towns laid out by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1735 to develop and protect the lands along the wilderness trail which was then the only major route connecting the lower Housatonic Valley with the Connecticut Valley and Boston. Monterey was one of the two towns on the north of the trail and was the site of the original settlement of Tyringham of which it was then a part.

The Great and General Court ordered the laying out of 63 home lots "in a compact and defensible form", one for each of the two ministers expected in the town, one for a school and one for each of the eventual grantees, who in turn had to provide 40 Sterling pounds security that they would settle on and improve their grants. This development made the trail safer and less difficult for travelers.

This is what gave rise to the Main Road and Monterey Center, eventually leading to the building of Ledge Gardens by Capt John Brewer in 1750.