 The junction of Main and South Streets became a major local commercial nexus by later in the 18th century, with the area closer to the river where small industries began to flourish.One of Berkshire County's first printing operations was begun in this area, and there was by the mid-19th century a blacksmithy.A few houses stood in the area by the turn of the 19th century, but it was not until the 1850s that a significant number of houses began to be built south of Main Street.