Sturbridge in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Controlling Livestock: The Town Pound
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 5, 2018
1. Controlling Livestock: The Town Pound Marker
Livestock were everywhere in farming communities.
Although the law required that they be fenced in, they often got loose. Stray animals were brought to town pounds like this large stone structure, where they were impounded and cared for until they were claimed. Owners paid a fine to the pound keeper to recover a stray animal, and were liable for any damage the beast had done.
Pound keepers – as well as field drivers, who rounded up stray animals – were elected by each town. Not all pounds were as substantial as this one, which is a reproduction.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals.
Location. 42° 6.365′ N, 72° 5.913′ W. Marker is in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. Marker is on Old Sturbridge Village Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge MA 01566, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Graveyard (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fire Pit (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Farming as a Way of Life (about 300 feet away); Fitch House Yard (about 300 feet away); Brooks Pottery Kiln (about 400 feet
this page online
More about this marker. An illustration on the left of the marker depicts farmers working on their fence. It has a caption of “Every spring, fences had to be mended and rebuilt to keep animals from straying.”
A photo of cattle on the right includes the caption “Fences keep these grazing cattle from straying.”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 5, 2018
2. Controlling Livestock: The Town Pound Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 5, 2018
3. Marker in Sturbridge Village
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 5, 2018
4. The Town Pound at Sturbridge Village
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 5, 2018
5. Cattle behind Fences
These cattle are held in an enclosure to prevent them from ending up in the Town Pound.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2018, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 11, 2018, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
