History
Colrain was first settled in 1735 as "Boston Township No. 2", organized into an independently governing town body in 1745, and was officially incorporated on June 30th, 1761.
Although originally named Colrain in 1745, and officially incorporated under that name in 1761, the town spelled its name (and appeared on maps) as "Colraine" for over 112 years until in 1873 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts insisted that the town begin to spell its name as it was officially incorporated.
Colrain has five historic village areas: Elm Grove, Lyonsville, Foundry Village, Shattuckville, Griswoldville, and Catamount Hill. Much of the town's land area lies outside of these villages.
Colrain was the first town in the United States to fly the U.S. flag over a public schoolhouse in May of 1812.
Many of the original settlers were immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, and it is said that the town was named in honor of Lord Coleraine, an Irish peer. According to local tradition, Lord Coleraine was so well pleased by this that he sent a fine bell to the townspeople. Unfortunately, the bell never arrived. Apparently, so the story goes, It was sold by the unscrupulous agent to whom it was entrusted, and was installed in a church in Boston. It is also said that when in transit, the crew of the ship encountered a problem and the ship went down with the bell and was never to be found again.
The town now refers itself ounce again as Coleraine, though it is not legally registered as such.