East of Greenfield and bordered by the Connecticut River, Turners Falls is the town center of five villages that comprise Montague, Massachusetts. Formerly a steel town, the difficulties of abandoned industry echo here, but a new story is being written. “When the mills left, slowly over decades from the ‘50s onward, social and economic issues set in," says Suzanne LoManto, the director of the municipal program RiverCulture, which is dedicated to strengthening a creative economy in Turners Falls and surrounding villages.
Turners Falls was further hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is slowly replenishing its downtown business core. RiverCulture, the community's cultural district, began with the former town administrator, Frank Abbondanzio. The local leader founded Turners Falls’ Great Discovery Museum, Unity Park and secured the Shea Theatre in downtown. “He was nothing short of visionary,” LoManto says. This growing arts scene makes Turners Falls rare, as far as rural communities go. “In a town of 8,000 people, to have someone whose job is to focus on the arts is unusual. The only other places in Western Massachusetts that have a position dedicated to the arts are Easthampton and Northampton.”
As cultural shifts occur, a comforting familiarity still forms the backdrop of life in Turners Falls. The area's historic downtown and generational families display how some aspects are slow to change. Bonds still form and grow at the local diner over heaping plates of pancakes and hot pours of coffee, and most neighbors know each other’s names. “Our fortune has been up and down. You move here if you want to engage in community. Nothing happens without it," LoManto says. Nearly 4,000 people live here, making it the largest village in Montague.
From Avenue A to Carnegie Library
Avenue A and its surrounding streets comprise Turners Fall’s historic downtown area, where locals live, shop and dine. Avenue A is also the start of Turners Falls’ designated cultural district. The community hub extends toward Great Falls Discovery Center and the Carnegie Library, a Georgian building built by Andrew Carnegie. “It's like a little urban downtown in the middle of the most rural county in Massachusetts. You come over this very stately bridge from Route 2 over waterfalls, over the dam, into this little brick village,” LoManto says.
Turners Falls’ downtown buildings, circa the late 19th century, were built to house workers from the mill. Now, the area’s niche boutiques and local restaurants settle within them. Outside of Walgreens and Food City, most businesses are local and distinctive, focusing on upcycled handmade goods. Shady Glen Diner, a staple of the community for 40 years, has changed owners but never the quality and style, with interior decor from the ‘50s.
Modest home prices in Turners Falls
Another residential option in Turners Falls is a northern island known as “The Patch.” The moniker, later adopted by locals, was initially created by Western Massachusetts photographer Joe Manning, who captured its streetscapes in the early 2000s. Some locals also live up the hill from downtown in larger properties that once housed the mill’s affluent managers. Turners Falls is currently investing over $2 million into its Canal District, which is just north of the Cultural District along the water. It plans to turn the abandoned mill area into a mixed-use development as its population is growing by 1.99% annually.
The median build year for homes in Turners Falls is 1938. Inventory is slim, as just three homes were built in all of Montague in 2023 and many people have no plans to move. The median price for single-family homes is around $325,000. The most expensive homes in Turners Falls can list for as high as $500,000, but that price is rare. The flat rate for residential property tax rates in Montague is currently $15.70 per thousand-dollar assessment.
Events at Peskeompskut Park and Unity Park
“The bike path is one of the spines of the community. It goes around the Turners Falls Cultural District and gets a ton of use.” LoMato is referring to the Canalside Rail Trail, which passes along the river. In the cultural district, Peskeompskut Park and Unity Park often host local events. External partnerships and annual funding from the Mass Cultural Council Cultural District Grant support these events. LoMato decides how to allocate the money: “It starts with a survey. Every year, residents say the same thing: entertainment.”
Turners Falls recently started a partnership with renowned theater leaders. “It’s the Shea Theater's first year partnering with directors from the Royal Shakespeare Company. We have people from Stratford upon Avon here to lead workshops and performances. I think that gives you an idea of the level of gumption we have," LoMato says. The village just commissioned a mural for outside the theatre. High-visibility art is a part of the Local Rapid Recovery Planning Program implemented after the COVID-19 pandemic. The town is also working to improve pedestrian pathways and replenish business offerings.
Gill-Montague Regional School District
Montague students attend the Gill-Montague Regional School District, which earns a C rating from Niche. The school serves around 1,000 students in three elementary schools and one combined middle and high school. Students may apply to the 4-year high school, Franklin County Technical School, for focused vocational training in veterinary science, culinary arts, carpentry and web programming. For an affordable and accessible higher education option, Greenfield Community College is 5 miles west. There’s a cluster of universities around 15 miles south, including Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Crime and weather in Turners Falls
The Cap Index crime score for Turners Falls is a 5 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4, making crime here slightly higher. Weatherwise, Montague experiences heavy snowfall during the winter and occasional flooding. Montague City Road, a mile northwest of Turners Falls, is vulnerable during heavy rain and prone to closure.
Getting around Turners Falls
Locals living downtown can walk almost anywhere, including the grocery store. Outside of that immediate orbit, LoMato says people drive for everyday errands. Franklin Regional Transit Authority serves the area, providing public transit options. Baystate Franklin Medical Center is 6 miles west over the 5th Street Bridge. When international flights are needed, Bradley International Airport is 64 miles south.
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