I volunteer for the Swift River Valley Historical Society for the last several years and I must say that this was a well-put together as well as astoundingly thoughtful piece.
My best friend just called me. He was quite shook up. While doing research of the Quabbin this morning he stumbled upon this video. When Zib Pierce said her name at 2:36 his blood ran cold. He got the call from Witty's late afternoon on Thursday to prepare her final resting place. Zib passed on July 6, from old age. He is very shook up that this woman, full of life and vigor on the video is the same woman he is digging a grave for this week. I read her obituary on Witty's website to him and we laughed and cried together. An amazing woman and devoted Orange Community member.
Hi! Might I ask the Prescott name (your Grandmother's family)? We (Swift River Valley Historical Society) did 2 hikes in Prescott this fall, as to commemorate what would have been Prescott's bicentennial. I am familiar with many names associated with Prescott, and am curious, that if I new the name, perhaps I could pin point the homesite.
@@Pixiepop0031 I know the name well. I knew the oldest sibling, Eleanor, quite well. She is the one who started Swift River Valley Historical Society bus pilgrimages to Prescott & Enfield. I have been to her home site many times. It is a beautiful spot. I remember asking Eleanor if she felt poor growing up in Prescott. She said she didn't, as everyone else in town were farmers. I remember her saying "we were poor, but we had 60 acres of land". The Griswold family was the last family to leave Prescott - staying there until after the hurricane of September, 1938. That's quite remarkable, since almost all original people were gone by 1930, only "summer" people renting the homes/farms until the state tore them down. Thanks for responding.
That is my great aunt. Eddie “Sarge” was also involved with the historical society and I have been many times. I believe it is so important to keep the history and their memories alive
This place and history is in my blood. Unfortunately, I am getting to the age where limitless hiking and exploration of the watershed have reached my limits - and there is still so much to explore. What makes it extremely difficult, apart from age, is the extreme dense growth and invasive plants that thwart any attempt to find archaeological sites. Ticks, which I don't think I ever saw until about age 30, also are quite discouraging. There is such a spiritual aspect to this place - to see how the land was cleared, worked, homes and stone walls built, only to return to woods, as if to say "all our earthly efforts are for naught".
Excellent documentary. I'm from Springfield, Mass originally, and Mom often told me stories about her visits to some of the towns now under water when she was still a little girl. She also told me about the pain many of the original residents experienced when the government cleared and dammed the valley to create a water supply for Boston. These tales left an indelible mark on my conscience and sense of fairness learning that people could lose their homes by government decree. Later, I would move to Boston where I got to drink that water, but what I also did was tell this story to my new friends, most of whom were not familiar at all with the source of their drinking water. I took several of them on road trips out there to see for themselves and to read the historical markers. I know that many I've met speak to how beautiful and pristine the area remains thanks to Quabbin, but I will never forget the stories of people that died broken-hearted shortly after removal from their land. Truth is, no one will ever know what might have become of the valley had Quabbin never happened. The area outside of the reservation's boundaries is also beautiful and mostly undeveloped, but Western Massachusetts as a region, the 413 if you will, lags FAR behind the eastern part. In fact, someone once remarked to me that the Pacific Northwest is just like Western Mass, except that it has an economy. One can't help but wonder if the attitude that foisted Quabbin upon the area is not at least partly responsible.
Imminent domain is real and has meaning. The voting populous should only need to fight reasonable or advantageous financial compensation. Everyone should have been given enough money to buy new land, build new house and work in their new space. Massachusetts and Boston bullying could have issued bond to pay everyone way above reasonable. It did not happen that way which is permanently dumb - same with displaced Native Americans with zero compensation
I can only imagine how it would feel to have your state government take the land I've cleared and worked for a lifetime just to water a city that can't take care of itself. That would leave a heck of a lot of anger in me. Our house is made from the old North Dana general store. We were lucky enough to meet the daughter of the man who moved and built it. There's so much history around here but so much of it has been lost or muddied over the decades and generations. I'm glad there are folks keeping this history alive.
My father’s family was from Dana. He had me later in life and his father and mother were both forty-five when he was born, so the stories I grew up with sometimes felt closer than cities like Boston. My grandfather, Fred ‘Bucky’ Foster, luckily recorded his recollections of the town in the 80s, like so many other former residents. Even though I was born in 94’ and live on the west coast now, it’s heard to let Swift River go. I tell as many people as I can about it.
Thank you for telling this story! I now have a deeper appreciation for what was sacrificed by so many. As a photographer who has enjoyed capturing the wildlife there, I know for certain that on our next visit back to the Quabbin, my wife and I will certainly look at it from a different perspective.
My father was pastor at the South Athol Methodist Church around the time of the taking. It was his first church after graduating seminary. He and my mom had several friends in Prescott and Enfield they would recall. I spent summers in my youth with my family at Morgan Memorial's Fresh Air Camps in South Athol working with the kids who would come out from the city to spend some time in the clean air under the stars. That area holds a special place in my heart and memory.
I see why so many in Hardwick vote NO that would potentially change the way of living there. After watching this I completely understand. I can’t wait to build a home on the 10 acres we have next to the quabbin. It is so beautiful there. I hope Hardwick never gets modernized.
I was on a field trip to Quabbin around 1970, with an ecologist, who mentioned the recent release of Wild Turkeys there, brought from Pennsylvania to reintroduce them to New England. It worked.
Thank you for making this documentary. Growing up in Western Mass in the 00s, there was a general feeling that the state didn't care about us. I was trained as a social worker in Western Mass, and moved to Greater Boston - and it was interesting to experience the differences in how state resources are allocated.
Its good the history of these towns can be preserved. We've lost a lot of history with the building of the MA highways too. Not to mention when towns were incorporated.
I grew up going to Quabbin reservoir with my Dad, we would rent a little boat for $15 and spend the morning cruising around the reservoir. We had a fish finder/radar device and we'd often go looking for the old buildings under the water. It's interesting to hear the perspective of the folks who used to live there. I never thought about how much they had to sacrifice
I grew up and lived most of my life in WMASS. Mostly West Springfield. I always had a innate dislike of Eastern Mass/Boston. 23:55 breaks it down very well.
I say this as a person who’s ancestors graves were moved to Quabbin park cemetery, it was a necessary sacrifice my ancestors made by selling their farms to bring a permanent solution to a problem that seemed almost unsolvable. ~2,500 sold their property to create the largest, efficient, and most sustainable source of clean water in the entire world at the time, a project that single-handedly has prevented Massachusetts from shortages of clean water for almost a century will likely for the rest of its life. It was a necessary sacrifice to bring security to the most essential element to the survival of the human race in the state of Massachusetts.
I hear you. I disliked Boston especially long before I ever cared about the lost towns. Learning about the history of the Quabbin as you might expect only intensified my dislike, and for the same reason.
I hear ya there Massachusetts as a whole has nothing to offer western MA is worst than nothing when it comes to something to offer south Florida on the other hand has everything for anyone whom love the outdoors. Especially SW Florida.
As someone who has lived in both the boston metro area and also western mass, the water from Quabbin does taste significantly better than water from other Western Mass towns. It doesn't make sense why the Quabbin can't also be used for Springfield, etc. Obviously flooding 4 towns was a crazy decision, but since that was done, might as well benefit the whole state.
This was a great documentary. I found it looking for information on the town. I grew up in with a very similar situation. They flooded to the town of barkhamstead ct and created the Saville dam in the barkhampstead reservoir as well as Colebrook river lake dam a little further up. But a very similar situation and I couldn't find. Any significant videos on my reservoir So this was really awesome to see thank you
Great documentary - Thank you. Not sure if you covered Pelham Meeting house and Shay Rebellion…all predates Quabbin project and frustration with government born in much of region now under water. I grew up in Pelham MA which is Western edge of Quabbin
There are houses moved and few knew that they were moved 5-10 miles from under future Quabbin. No idea how they did it back then. Moving an entire house with horses-only!?!? That is history
I have family in Belchertown and you can walk down their road to a gate to the Quabbin area.. You walk down this street downhill.. you pass by what was a gas station and a couple houses with only the foundations left. Surreal.
Well it’s too bad that they destroyed the lives of people to make this all happen, seems like it is very large, and maybe excessive, had it been made smaller, maybe some of it could of been saved. I am sure politics, played a big part in this. The government takes what they want, roads, highways, have taken a lot of peoples properties, most do not care unless it directly affects them. My parents, lost land when Rte 140 was put in, back in the 50s. To build the future I suppose, these things have to happen.
It’s not to late to reimburse the descendants of those who were robbed, but I think we all know the alligator tears and thankfulness is all bs and no one will be made whole .
Very well done piece. Piques two questions: Was the Quabbin NECESSARY and was the Quabbin RIGHT? The FIRST question, was the Quabbin NECESSARY, is quite easy to answer. In all honesty, probably yes. Certainly some project like it was, whether it was the Quabbin or another reservoir on a similar scale. The SECOND question, was it RIGHT, is a much more difficult question to answer and I'm not sure everyone will come up with the same answer. Certainly it would be made even more difficult if certain technologies were available at the time.
I owned the land that generated the water at the head of the Central branch of the Swift River, for 35 yrs. I live here.. for 50 yrs, the ’gov’t, provides water for more communities. You make it seem like they take it out of your hands. You are provided , sources of water. The idea of an evil water, supplier, is ludicrous, as the supply is endless, and you can’t build a house , and have an occupancy permit, without one. I live in Wendell ,50 yrs, and everyone who does not live her, have strange ideas, about ‘purpose’. All conspiracy aside, water for citizens, is destiny, not displacement, as those towns flooded as well.
Great documentary - Thank you. Not sure if you covered Pelham Meeting house and Shay Rebellion…all predates Quabbin project and frustration with government born in much of region now under water. I grew up in Pelham MA which is Western edge of Quabbin.
I volunteer for the Swift River Valley Historical Society for the last several years and I must say that this was a well-put together as well as astoundingly thoughtful piece.
My best friend just called me. He was quite shook up. While doing research of the Quabbin this morning he stumbled upon this video. When Zib Pierce said her name at 2:36 his blood ran cold. He got the call from Witty's late afternoon on Thursday to prepare her final resting place. Zib passed on July 6, from old age. He is very shook up that this woman, full of life and vigor on the video is the same woman he is digging a grave for this week. I read her obituary on Witty's website to him and we laughed and cried together. An amazing woman and devoted Orange Community member.
My grandmother had to leave Prescott. I’ve grown up listening to the history. Luckily the homestead is not underwater but it is emotional every visit.
Hi! Might I ask the Prescott name (your Grandmother's family)? We (Swift River Valley Historical Society) did 2 hikes in Prescott this fall, as to commemorate what would have been Prescott's bicentennial. I am familiar with many names associated with Prescott, and am curious, that if I new the name, perhaps I could pin point the homesite.
The family name is Griswold. There were six children and my grandmother was Beatrice born 1921
@@Pixiepop0031 I know the name well. I knew the oldest sibling, Eleanor, quite well. She is the one who started Swift River Valley Historical Society bus pilgrimages to Prescott & Enfield. I have been to her home site many times. It is a beautiful spot. I remember asking Eleanor if she felt poor growing up in Prescott. She said she didn't, as everyone else in town were farmers. I remember her saying "we were poor, but we had 60 acres of land". The Griswold family was the last family to leave Prescott - staying there until after the hurricane of September, 1938. That's quite remarkable, since almost all original people were gone by 1930, only "summer" people renting the homes/farms until the state tore them down. Thanks for responding.
That is my great aunt. Eddie “Sarge” was also involved with the historical society and I have been many times. I believe it is so important to keep the history and their memories alive
This place and history is in my blood. Unfortunately, I am getting to the age where limitless hiking and exploration of the watershed have reached my limits - and there is still so much to explore. What makes it extremely difficult, apart from age, is the extreme dense growth and invasive plants that thwart any attempt to find archaeological sites. Ticks, which I don't think I ever saw until about age 30, also are quite discouraging. There is such a spiritual aspect to this place - to see how the land was cleared, worked, homes and stone walls built, only to return to woods, as if to say "all our earthly efforts are for naught".
Well said and yes the Quabbin has an enormous amount of ticks
Excellent documentary. I'm from Springfield, Mass originally, and Mom often told me stories about her visits to some of the towns now under water when she was still a little girl.
She also told me about the pain many of the original residents experienced when the government cleared and dammed the valley to create a water supply for Boston. These tales left an indelible mark on my conscience and sense of fairness learning that people could lose their homes by government decree.
Later, I would move to Boston where I got to drink that water, but what I also did was tell this story to my new friends, most of whom were not familiar at all with the source of their drinking water. I took several of them on road trips out there to see for themselves and to read the historical markers.
I know that many I've met speak to how beautiful and pristine the area remains thanks to Quabbin, but I will never forget the stories of people that died broken-hearted shortly after removal from their land.
Truth is, no one will ever know what might have become of the valley had Quabbin never happened. The area outside of the reservation's boundaries is also beautiful and mostly undeveloped, but Western Massachusetts as a region, the 413 if you will, lags FAR behind the eastern part.
In fact, someone once remarked to me that the Pacific Northwest is just like Western Mass, except that it has an economy. One can't help but wonder if the attitude that foisted Quabbin upon the area is not at least partly responsible.
Imminent domain is real and has meaning. The voting populous should only need to fight reasonable or advantageous financial compensation. Everyone should have been given enough money to buy new land, build new house and work in their new space. Massachusetts and Boston bullying could have issued bond to pay everyone way above reasonable. It did not happen that way which is permanently dumb - same with displaced Native Americans with zero compensation
I grew up in Holyoke, Mass and left Mass in 1976. Never knew this about the Quabbin. Thank you so much for this documentary. Very very interesting.
I can only imagine how it would feel to have your state government take the land I've cleared and worked for a lifetime just to water a city that can't take care of itself. That would leave a heck of a lot of anger in me. Our house is made from the old North Dana general store. We were lucky enough to meet the daughter of the man who moved and built it. There's so much history around here but so much of it has been lost or muddied over the decades and generations. I'm glad there are folks keeping this history alive.
My father’s family was from Dana. He had me later in life and his father and mother were both forty-five when he was born, so the stories I grew up with sometimes felt closer than cities like Boston. My grandfather, Fred ‘Bucky’ Foster, luckily recorded his recollections of the town in the 80s, like so many other former residents. Even though I was born in 94’ and live on the west coast now, it’s heard to let Swift River go. I tell as many people as I can about it.
Thank you for telling this story! I now have a deeper appreciation for what was sacrificed by so many. As a photographer who has enjoyed capturing the wildlife there, I know for certain that on our next visit back to the Quabbin, my wife and I will certainly look at it from a different perspective.
What a great documentary. Thank you for putting it up. I'm surprised it doesn't have a lot more views and likes after a year.
My father was pastor at the South Athol Methodist Church around the time of the taking. It was his first church after graduating seminary. He and my mom had several friends in Prescott and Enfield they would recall. I spent summers in my youth with my family at Morgan Memorial's Fresh Air Camps in South Athol working with the kids who would come out from the city to spend some time in the clean air under the stars. That area holds a special place in my heart and memory.
Great piece! Beautiful shots and a very important story that is very well told in this documentary. nice job!
I see why so many in Hardwick vote NO that would potentially change the way of living there. After watching this I completely understand. I can’t wait to build a home on the 10 acres we have next to the quabbin. It is so beautiful there. I hope Hardwick never gets modernized.
I was on a field trip to Quabbin around 1970, with an ecologist, who mentioned the recent release of Wild Turkeys there, brought from Pennsylvania to reintroduce them to New England. It worked.
lol it sure did!
Thank you for making this documentary. Growing up in Western Mass in the 00s, there was a general feeling that the state didn't care about us. I was trained as a social worker in Western Mass, and moved to Greater Boston - and it was interesting to experience the differences in how state resources are allocated.
Its good the history of these towns can be preserved. We've lost a lot of history with the building of the MA highways too. Not to mention when towns were incorporated.
The Quabbin is my favorite place in the world
I grew up going to Quabbin reservoir with my Dad, we would rent a little boat for $15 and spend the morning cruising around the reservoir. We had a fish finder/radar device and we'd often go looking for the old buildings under the water. It's interesting to hear the perspective of the folks who used to live there. I never thought about how much they had to sacrifice
Born in Greenfield grew up in Holy oke visited Quabbin a lot beautiful place💞💞
I’ve been to the area and hiked where some stone foundations could be found. Really enjoyed this documentary. Well done.
I grew up and lived most of my life in WMASS. Mostly West Springfield. I always had a innate dislike of Eastern Mass/Boston. 23:55 breaks it down very well.
I say this as a person who’s ancestors graves were moved to Quabbin park cemetery, it was a necessary sacrifice my ancestors made by selling their farms to bring a permanent solution to a problem that seemed almost unsolvable. ~2,500 sold their property to create the largest, efficient, and most sustainable source of clean water in the entire world at the time, a project that single-handedly has prevented Massachusetts from shortages of clean water for almost a century will likely for the rest of its life. It was a necessary sacrifice to bring security to the most essential element to the survival of the human race in the state of Massachusetts.
I hear you. I disliked Boston especially long before I ever cared about the lost towns. Learning about the history of the Quabbin as you might expect only intensified my dislike, and for the same reason.
I hear ya there Massachusetts as a whole has nothing to offer western MA is worst than nothing when it comes to something to offer south Florida on the other hand has everything for anyone whom love the outdoors. Especially SW Florida.
Very well done. -looking at the complexity of this event. Thank you very much.
As someone who has lived in both the boston metro area and also western mass, the water from Quabbin does taste significantly better than water from other Western Mass towns. It doesn't make sense why the Quabbin can't also be used for Springfield, etc. Obviously flooding 4 towns was a crazy decision, but since that was done, might as well benefit the whole state.
This was a great documentary. I found it looking for information on the town. I grew up in with a very similar situation. They flooded to the town of barkhamstead ct and created the Saville dam in the barkhampstead reservoir as well as Colebrook river lake dam a little further up. But a very similar situation and I couldn't find. Any significant videos on my reservoir So this was really awesome to see thank you
My grandfather helped build the place. And I'm surprised the New York Central did not build a new Athol Junction around. The Quabbin Reservoir
I used to live close to the WChsett reservoir. People don't really think.about what effe t projects like this have on people. Thank you.
did they move the bodies too?
Great documentary - Thank you. Not sure if you covered Pelham Meeting house and Shay Rebellion…all predates Quabbin project and frustration with government born in much of region now under water. I grew up in Pelham MA which is Western edge of Quabbin
There are houses moved and few knew that they were moved 5-10 miles from under future Quabbin. No idea how they did it back then. Moving an entire house with horses-only!?!? That is history
I have family in Belchertown and you can walk down their road to a gate to the Quabbin area.. You walk down this street downhill.. you pass by what was a gas station and a couple houses with only the foundations left. Surreal.
Well it’s too bad that they destroyed the lives of people to make this all happen, seems like it is very large, and maybe excessive, had it been made smaller, maybe some of it could of been saved. I am sure politics, played a big part in this. The government takes what they want, roads, highways, have taken a lot of peoples properties, most do not care unless it directly affects them. My parents, lost land when Rte 140 was put in, back in the 50s. To build the future I suppose, these things have to happen.
Just finding out about this. I grew up in Springfield. More joy from “our” government.
It’s not to late to reimburse the descendants of those who were robbed, but I think we all know the alligator tears and thankfulness is all bs and no one will be made whole .
I'm proud to be from Massachusetts
Many.places are affected by eminent domain amd other projects that remove history it is a quandary.
Same thing happened up in NH (Hill/Franklin) flooded the whole town around the same time or circa
Very well done piece. Piques two questions: Was the Quabbin NECESSARY and was the Quabbin RIGHT? The FIRST question, was the Quabbin NECESSARY, is quite easy to answer. In all honesty, probably yes. Certainly some project like it was, whether it was the Quabbin or another reservoir on a similar scale. The SECOND question, was it RIGHT, is a much more difficult question to answer and I'm not sure everyone will come up with the same answer. Certainly it would be made even more difficult if certain technologies were available at the time.
Involuntary Redistribution is theft. The fact that the robbers all agree it’s right and necessary doesn’t add morality to what is otherwise a crime.
cool story, sorry to those who lost.
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." (Vulcan Proverb)
Amazing 👏 ughh. I grew up in ware ma 1967
I owned the land that generated the water at the head of the Central branch of the Swift River, for 35 yrs.
I live here.. for 50 yrs, the ’gov’t, provides water for more communities. You make it seem like they take it out of your hands. You are provided , sources of water. The idea of an evil water, supplier, is ludicrous, as the supply is endless, and you can’t build a house , and have an occupancy permit, without one.
I live in Wendell ,50 yrs, and everyone who does not live her, have strange ideas, about ‘purpose’.
All conspiracy aside, water for citizens, is destiny, not displacement, as those towns flooded as well.
Ti's DISGUSTING what they did to ALL those towns!!!
It's a secure water source unless you're an Indian at the entrance gate right around midnight.
Hard to feel any empathy, watching this after wanting what we to the natives in western Massachusetts.
i lost my friends and family, all dead. I hate loss, who likes it? tho, i do like water. get over it.
Great documentary - Thank you. Not sure if you covered Pelham Meeting house and Shay Rebellion…all predates Quabbin project and frustration with government born in much of region now under water. I grew up in Pelham MA which is Western edge of Quabbin.