Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com UFOs (??) Spotted Over The Dam I happened to be visiting the Wachusett Dam one sunny day and saw this mysterious object flying overhead. That’s my dog, Max, doing the barking. See the video below to unravel the mystery. Thanks, Paul Marquee… Menu… Post Views: 1,426
Author: beforetherewasadam_050rbj
John F. Philbin’s “mutilated” building
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasaadam.com John F. Philbin’s “mutilated” Building In anticipation of the new Wachusett Dam & Reservoir project, Boylston Street would replace the soon to be discontinued River Street as the main road to Boylston. The road, which passed between John F. Philbin’s house and barn, was to be upgraded and widened to… Continue reading John F. Philbin’s “mutilated” building
Houses Under the Dam
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com Houses Under the Dam One of the many little mysteries and unanswered questions that keep turning up in the study the archives is this one. Why, right in the middle of a vast construction project, should there have been two largely undisturbed houses left in place…on the upstream side of… Continue reading Houses Under the Dam
The Biggest Boulder
Wachusett Dam &Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com The Biggest Boulder The site chosen for the location of the Wachusett Dam was across a narrow gorge lying between two hills, with the Nashua River running between them in Clinton. It was required that the millpond there be drained and the riverbed soils be excavated to bedrock all the way… Continue reading The Biggest Boulder
Coal
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforethrewasadam.com Coal at the Dam Before the introduction of gasoline and the internal combustion engine (and proper roads) the movement of goods and people was implemented by steam. All that was required was the fusion of two basic elements…fire and water. Steam engines use the force produced by steam pressure to… Continue reading Coal
Oakdale Station: Anatomy of a Rail Yard
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir Oakdale Station: Anatomy of a Rail Yard Oakdale Station 1897 Road Engine Freight Transfer House Warehouses May Street Freight House Water Tower Engine House Coal Storage Bin Yard Engine Oakdale I decided to write this article when I came across this remarkable collection of images of the Oakdale Station situated on… Continue reading Oakdale Station: Anatomy of a Rail Yard
Diversity at the Dam
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir Diversity at the Dam Many of you will appreciate the hours of close scrutiny of the archival photographs it takes to gain a thorough understanding of the activities that unfolded at the construction sites. It was during my studies with these that I began to notice the wide range of workers… Continue reading Diversity at the Dam
The Central Massachusetts Railroad
Since the enactment in 1895 by the Legislature of the Metropolitan Water Act, it was understood that the portion of the Central Massachusetts Rail Road (CMRR) passing through and under the future Great Reservoir would have to be relocated, without interruption to regular service, to a safe route on higher ground. The elimination and replacement of… Continue reading The Central Massachusetts Railroad
The Underwater Rail Trail of the CMRR
The Underwater Rail Trail 1895 Is it the Mass Central or the Central Mass?? rThe Massachusetts Central Railroad (the Mass Central) was built through the Nashua River Valley with trains running as far as Jefferson by 1882. In 1883 operations were suspended due to financial difficulties and, following reorganization, operations were resumed in 1887 under… Continue reading The Underwater Rail Trail of the CMRR
The Viaduct (Updated 6/20/22)
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir ©beforetherewasadam.com This Viaduct of the Central Massachusetts Railroad, long since demolished, was a key component to maintaining continuous commuter rail traffic to through the area Cambridge. Constructed on a very close schedule it ultimately became a signature image of the Dam & Reservoir setting. This is another story of the engineering… Continue reading The Viaduct (Updated 6/20/22)