Greater Boston Video: Towns Beneath The Quabbin Reservoir

[@arttrombley7385]

My Father used to sled from shutesbury center to enfield when he was a boy and worked on the clearing of the towns in 1938. He was offered $100 a day to move the cemeteries , he couldn't do that. He told me how sorry he felt for the people that lost their homes, businesses and ways of life. All in the name of progress.

[@greenwich1754]

Are you sure about $100.00 a day? I make that now - can't imagine anyone in the 1930's making $100.00 a day. Also, how does one sled from Shutesbury to Enfield without being towed at some point? I'm sure you mean that your father was either towed, or had a horse & sleigh.

[@arttrombley7385]

Marty Howe Hi Marty. Yes, I'm certain about the $100 a day, he said that there was a small crew that emptied the cemeteries and he tried to do it but couldn't stand the smell of death. Dad told me many things as we fished the Quabbin, I had the best times of my life there, just him and I. He said that they took their sleds down Shutesbury hill, across the Daniel Shaws into what I remembered to be Enfield, then Granddad would pick them up in the truck. Thinking about it now, it might have been Prescott, it was over 60 years ago and my memory isn't as good as it used to be. Either way it was a long ride on a sled for a young boy and his Brother. I could imagine sledding down Shutesbury hill, that must have been quite exciting, if you've driven or walked up Shutesbury hill you'll know what I'm saying, it's quite a drop down to the Daniel Shays highway and beyond. We caught tons of fish in the Quabbin, Dad knew all the great spots, places that had water before the Valley was flooded were some of the best. Largemouth Bass, white and yellow perch, beautiful trout, I get hungry just thinking about it. One of my favorite places was gate 16, the walk down to the water was almost magical, such a beautiful place. Potapog pond was another beautiful spot, beaver dams, deer walking down to get a drink and plenty of great tasting Largemouth Bass for the ice chest. In 1960 Dad bought an unfinished boat and we worked on it for weeks before the season started. I was so excited when we took it out for the first time, and proud that He chose me as his first mate. I can almost hear the 10 horse Johnson humming along, taking us to another adventure, not knowing if we would catch a record fish that day. Sorry, didn't mean to ramble on. Peace to you sir.

[@arttrombley7385]

Max K Easily 1k, probably more. That oder must have been really bad for my Dad to walk away from the job because He didn't have a weak stomach.

[@arttrombley7385]

Max K You're right about the gas masks, I would have done the job for 1k a day today. 1 month == A New Car.

[@Joe-oi6eh]

@@arttrombley7385 amazing story, love from NH

[@bigqueue]

Taken from them "DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION"! Can you imagine how little their houses were worth at that time....and those who had a business, how were they going to start a new business.....or where did they get their next job?

[@Tsnore]

Read a case study of this in 1977.

[@bernadettepotenti301]

Grenich not greenwich

[@zackgibson3389]

So sad, so much history lost.

[@heatherrussell8255]

Resettlement.