Leverett, Massachusetts | ||
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Town | ||
The New England Peace Pagoda in Leverett
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Location in Franklin County in Massachusetts |
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Coordinates: 42°27′07″N 72°30′07″W / 42.45194°N 72.50194°WCoordinates: 42°27′07″N 72°30′07″W / 42.45194°N 72.50194°W | ||
Country | United States | |
State | Massachusetts | |
County | Franklin | |
Settled | 1713 | |
Incorporated | 1774 | |
Government | ||
• Type | Open town meeting | |
Area | ||
• Total | 23.0 sq mi (59.5 km2) | |
• Land | 22.9 sq mi (59.2 km2) | |
• Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.4 km2) | |
Elevation | 438 ft (134 m) | |
Population (2010) | ||
• Total | 1,876 | |
• Density | 82/sq mi (32/km2) | |
Time zone | Eastern (UTC−5) | |
• Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC−4) | |
ZIP Code | 01054 (shared with the North Amherst post office) | |
Area code(s) | 413 | |
FIPS code | 25-35180 | |
GNIS feature ID | 0618168 | |
Website | www |
Leverett is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,876 as of the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.
According to the Massachusetts FCCC, Leverett was first settled in the 17th century when pioneers developed the Swampfield Plantation. The first permanent settlement, however, was not established until 1750, and the settlers officially petitioned Sunderland to become their own town in 1774. The town was named for John Leverett, the twentieth governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
In 1985, a Buddhist monastic order called Nipponzan Myohoji erected a large monument in Leverett. This structure, known as the New England Peace Pagoda, is considered the first of its kind in North America. Two historic Evangelical churches are also located in Leverett, North Leverett Baptist and Moores Corner Church which was founded by a protégé of Evangelist D.L. Moody.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.0 square miles (60 km2), of which 22.9 square miles (59 km2) are land and 0.1-square-mile (0.26 km2) (0.61%) is water. Leverett is located on the edge of the Pioneer Valley and the hills of northwestern Massachusetts, just east of the Connecticut River. The southwestern corner of town is relatively flat plains, while the rest is dominated by hills, the tallest of which is Brushy Mountain, with an elevation of 1,260 feet (380 m).