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
Author: beforetherewasadam_050rbj
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?? The 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)
Clinton Catholic Cemetery
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com Clinton Catholic Cemetery Entrance to St. John’s Catholic Cemetery near Sandy Pond, looking west. In Clinton, Mass. abundant water power in the southern part facilitated the development of large textile mills. In the 1850s a large influx of (Roman Catholic) Irish newcomers settled there to pursue their fortunes working these… Continue reading Clinton Catholic Cemetery
Scar Bridge
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir Scar Bridge Sonar Image, AUSS, Ltd; Provided by J Gregoire The Bridge Over Scar Hill Road This bridge is one of several in the Wachusett Reservoir abandoned in place when it was filled with water. It once provided a river crossing for traffic on the the main road between Boylston and… Continue reading Scar Bridge
Assabet Bridge
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir The Assabet Bridge & Aqueduct Located in Northborough, this bridge is a straight span of seven stone arches, crossing over Hudson Street near Allen Street and the Assabet River. Built to carry a section of the Wachusett Aqueduct from the Wachusett Reservoir to Sudbury Reservoir, it is used as a… Continue reading Assabet Bridge
One Man…One Shovel
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir One Man…One Shovel How They Moved Over 7 Million Cubic Yards of Soil with Just a Shovel “The Largest Hand-Dug Dam in the World” So it’s been said. In those days America was undergoing the Industrial Revolution and very large projects were everywhere. Development of diesel-powered earthmoving equipment was… Continue reading One Man…One Shovel
Get a Horse!
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir Get a Horse! Hard to imagine what life would be like without automobiles, trucks or diesel machines. Yet, the people were the same. They made do with what they had, just as they have always done. At the time this project was built, available power systems included electricity, steam, compressed air,… Continue reading Get a Horse!
Coach & Sandy
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir What Lies Beneath Coach & Sandy The Causeway between Coachlace Pond (foreground) and Sandy Pond (looking south, between the two schools today) Looking west across Sandy Pond from the Causeway (The Roman Catholic Cemetery and South Meadow Road is off to the right.) The coming of the Wachusett Reservoir to… Continue reading Coach & Sandy