Massachusetts History

From a 1916 report to the State Reservation Commision

“We had a successful season at the Summit House. It was found necessary to make a few minor repairs to the house, to have some painting done, and quite an addition made to the equipment. I think this year we will have to arrange for a better lighting outfit. There is a small acetylene machine now that lights the main part, but it gives very poor service. I am in hopes it can be arranged so that we can
buy electricity from the town of Princeton.

On the 15th of May, the prisoners having arrived, the stone crusher was put in operation at the old set-up near the summit, and about 100 tons of stone crushed into dust for repair work.

On the 1st of June work was begun on the town road, starting where the town road and the mountain road connect and working toward Princeton. It is hoped that this work will be continued to Holden, making a completed State road from the summit of Wachusett Mountain to Worcester. Seven thousand five hundred feet of road were improved at a total cost of $5,175.79. The road was built 20 feet wide, with an average width of 14 feet of local crushed stone, 8 inches thick in the center and 6 inches on the sides. On top of this was a covering of 2 inches of hardpan and 2 inches of stone dust. In building the road a foundation was necessary for part of the distance, and over 1,000 cubic yards of stone filling were used; there were about 460 cubic yards of excavation, about 500 cubic yards of borrow, and about 3,200 tons of crushed stone. The culverts cost about $100.

In conjunction with the State Forester’s staff a systematic scouting for gypsy moth nests on the reservation was started. I am sorry to report an extensive spread of the moth. There are a few spots that are quite badly infested, but most of the nests are isolated. They must have been brought in by the automobiles that come from all over this State and from the States adjoining.

It may be a matter of interest to note that had it not been for this careful scouting the body of Dr. Chas. Richardson would never have been found, lying as it was in a crevice in an unfrequented part of the reservation. He disappeared in May and was found the latter part of November.”

The Worcester Telegram is reporting that Wachusett Mountain may soon be on the National Register of Historical Places.

The Story From Worcester Telegram

And here’s some info on Wachusett from a 1915 history.

“Wachusett Mountain, the principal elevation and most striking natural feature in the town of Princeton, rises to a height of 2018 feet. This is in the extreme northerly part, near the boundary line of Westminster. With the exception of the range in the westerly part of the State, of which Mt. Greylock is the main eminence, Wachusett is the highest elevation within its boundaries, and its isolation affords from the summit an unobstructed view over a large part of Massachusetts and some portions of adjoining states. The ocean at Boston, the Green Mountains in Vermont, and elevations in New Hampshire are visible in clear weather, while the surrounding country within a radius of seventyfive miles is spread before the observer.

The ascent to the summit is easy, both by carriage road and paths, and the mountain top is visited by large numbers during the summer season. A good hotel is maintained here during the warmer months of the year.

The mountain, including a tract of 3000 acres, was made a State Reservation April 17, 1900, by Act of the Legislature.

On June 14, 1795 Ezra Cary of Sterling acquired the mountain property of Mr. Fuller, and fifteen days later conveyed the same tract to Moses Gill for $810.

It was transferred to Ward N. Boylston in 1805 who conveyed it later to John Brooks.

The Wachusett Mountain Company owned the property from 1876 until the failure of that corporation in 1877.

It then, after being leased for a time, passed into the hands of Phineas A. Beaman and after his decease was purchased of the Beaman heirs by the Commonwealth for the sum of $20,060 and is now a State Reservation.

This purchase of 533 acres with the addition of a smaller tract purchased of Samuel F. Mason and Thomas H. Russell increased the area of the reservation to 563.51 acres.

Many improvements have been made and the reservation has gained steadily in popularity as a summer resort.”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1859.

“THE PRINCETON CENTENNIAL.—The celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Princeton, took place on Thursday of last week. The day, though uncomfortably cold, was in other respects favorable, and a very large part of the Princeton family assembled to express their grateful regard for the old town and its associations, and to participate in the festivities of this joyful anniversary.

 
The festivities of the day commenced with the firing of cannon, the parade of citizens under the escort of the Wachusett Cornet Band, and other public manifestations of rejoicing. The streets and many of the buildings on the hill were hand somely decorated under the superintendence of Col. Beals of Boston. The Wachusett Hotel saluted visitors as they came up the hill, with the motto over its portico, ” We welcome you home,” and the house itself was profusely ornamented.  Across the common were suspended the flags of all nations, and the Union Congregational church was gaily decorated with the Colonel’s most impressive combination of colors. Over the pulpit was placed the motto, which told the whole story of the celebration—”Princeton incorporated Oct. 20, 1739,” and other appropriate memorial emblems and mottoes were displayed throughout the town.

 
The procession was formed at 11 o’clock on the common. Thirty of the sons of Princeton acted as an escort, accompanied by the Wachusett band. A delegation from Rutland, to whom special invitation had been extended, joined in the procession marshaled by Gen. Howe, and accompanied by the Rutland band. The boisterous weather made it necessary to repair to the church (Rev. Mr. Brigg’s) whither the procession was conducted, and where the chief exercises were held. The officers of the day were as follows :

 
President—Hon. Charles Russell.

 
Vice Presidents—Hon. John Brooks, Dr. Alphonse Brooks, Israel Everett, Joseph Mason, Solon S. Hastings, Dea Henry Boyles, Rufus Davis, C. S. Mirick, Frederick Parker, Moses Garfield, Daniel Davis, John G. Hobbs, and Dr. Ward N. Boylston.

 
Toast-Master—Joshua T. Everett.

 
Marshals—William B. Goodnow, Chief ; Wm. H. Brown, Otis Wood, Harlow Skinner, E. E. Hartwell, Geo. E. Pratt, Jonas Brown, John Brooks, Jr., Geo. F. Folger, Chas. T. Mirick, Addison Smith, and A. J. Brooks.

 
Hon. Mr. Russell introduced the exercises with a brief statement of the pleasant circumstances under which they made the best use of the accommodations which they had.  Successively the band struck up a spirited air, a voluntary was sung by the choir, select portions of the scripture were read by Rev. Vm. T. Briggs. the divine blessing was invoked by Rev. Humphrey Moore, of Milford, N. H., and an original hymn was sung by the choir, after which the orator of the clay was introduced, and delved a very interesting and eloquent address, espying about an hour and a half.

 
The anniversary poem was delivered by Erases Everett, A. M.., of Brooklyn, N. Y., and a native of Princeton. It was written on the well worn theme of Progress, which was treated in a fresh and entertaining manner, and was received with many expressions of favor. The exercises at the church closed with an original hymn, and the benediction, pronounced by Rev. A. B. Fuller.

 
The procession was then reformed. and marched to the tent where dinner had been prepared by Capt. Fletcher of Leominster. At two o’clock, upwards of twelve hundred persons sat down to the well provided tables, at which prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Allen, a returned missionary from India. After the dinner, the audience returned to the church, and the afternoon was given up to sentiments and responses from many gentlemen, either sons of the town of their descendants.

 
In the evening the audience again assembled at the church, where other addresses were made, sentiments were read and many old records and half forgotten traditions and family legends where again brought to light, and the exercises closed with the impression of satisfaction on every mind for the happy and successful termination of the first centennial festival of the town.

During the evening, the original hymn written for the Occasion by William E. Richardson, a son of the town, was sung with impressive effect by all present.”