Massachusetts Ghost Towns

[Charles B]

BANCROFT, Hampshire County, Massachusetts

This old milling town was located along the east bank of the West Branch Westfield River. The Berkshire Tissue Mills, which operated here, closed in 1894. Other buildings included a meetinghouse, offices and a school.

 

[Charles B]

DANA, Worcester County, Massachusetts

This milling town was destroyed when the Quabbin Reservoir was built in 1938. Three villages were a part of this town. Dana Common, North Dana and Doubleday Village. It was populated from 1801-1938, and had a maximum population of about 876 in 1860.

 

[Charles B]

Davis Mine, Franklin County, Massachusetts

3.9 miles from Rowe Town, on left fork 2.4 miles north of Charlemont. This pyrite-mining town was active from 1882-1910. By the mid 1930s only the blacksmith shop and 150 cellar holes remained.

THE DAVIS PYRITE MINE, once Massachusetts

 

[Charles B]

DOGTOWN, Essex County, Massachusetts

This deserted 1719-1830 village is located west of Long Beach, midway between Glouchester and Rockport on Cape Ann.

 

[Charles B]

ENFIELD, Hampshire County, Massachusetts

This milling/farming town was destroyed when the Quabbin Reservoir was built in 1938. A pair of post offices/villages made up this town. They were Enfield Center & Smith

 

[Charles B]

FORT INDEPENDENCE, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Fort Independence is a pentagonal five-bastioned, granite fort built between 1834 and 1851. It is located on Castle Island, one of Boston

 

[Charles B]

GEORGES ISLAND, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Located at the outer end of Boston Harbor, this island

 

[Charles B]

GREENWICH, Hampshire County, Massachusetts

This milling/agricultural town was destroyed when the Quabbin Reservoir was built in 1938. It consisted of Greenwich Plains and Greenwich Village. It had 1460 folks in 1800.

 

[Charles B]

HIGGINS TAVERN, Barnstable County, Massachusetts

The original site of the Higgins Tavern in Barnstable County is now Gills Sunoco Station on Route 6A in Orleans. The original building was later moved across the street and eventually became the Olde Tavern Motel which is still in operation.

 

[Charles B]

NORTH PEPPERELL, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

This old milling community was located along the Nissitissett River, north of Pepperell. During the first part of the 1800s, North Pepperell had a grist mill, post office, sawmill, brick school house, store and tavern. Sometime after the War of 1812, a woman moved into a cabin on the outskirts. She was accused of being a witch, and after being physically attacked, she is said to have put a curse on the town. She then disappeared, and most folks ignored her curse. Through the rest of the century major fires burned the shoe shop and four of the mills. Also, a few folks died unusual deaths, and by 1885 the town was deserted. (GBS)

"North Pepperell's". true name is "North Village". Search on the North Pepperell witch. Just after the war of 1812 the townspeople of Pepperell, MA branded a woman with a hot iron of a cross on her forehead because of her "queer looks and actions". She was thought to be a witch and murderess. After this the woman cursed the town (also known as the five prophecies) and as story tells that the curse came true." I understand that Yankee Magazine had an article on the town, printed about 40 years ago.

 

[Charles B]

PRESCOTT, Hampshire County, Massachusetts

Consisting of two villages, this agricultural and milling town was also destroyed when the Quabbin Reservoir was built in 1938. Prescott and North Prescott each had their own post offices and churches, and between them reached a total population of 780 people.

 

[Charles B]

QUINAPOXET, Worcester County, Massachusetts

In the mid 1930s, only rubble and a watering trough marked the site of once prosperous mill town. Location not determined.

 

[Charles B]

SKINNERSVILLE, Hampshire County, Massachusetts

The huge brick Usquomonk Silk Mill was once located along Mill River, and SH 9, a mile southeast of Williamsburg. At one time it was the largest manufacturing plant in the town. In 1874, the factory, village and four people disappeared when flash flood washed Skinnersville down the valley and off the map.

 

[ronaldj2]

Wow, that was fast. Thanks Charles for a lot of typing and research, anything to do with Quabbin is off limits. I have heard of DogTown, I don't know if it is still accessable. Some of these places become off limits due to the abuse of people, illegally dumping, or just plain old digging and leaving the place in shambles. Well I will definately be doing some hiking in the woods this year in search of old cellar holes. Good Job !!

 

[LabradorBob]

NORTH PEPPERELL, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

This old milling community was located along the Nissitissett River, north of Pepperell. During the first part of the 1800s, North Pepperell had a grist mill, post office, sawmill, brick school house, store and tavern. Sometime after the War of 1812, a woman moved into a cabin on the outskirts. She was accused of being a witch, and after being physically attacked, she is said to have put a curse on the town. She then disappeared, and most folks ignored her curse. Through the rest of the century major fires burned the shoe shop and four of the mills. Also, a few folks died unusual deaths, and by 1885 the town was deserted. (GBS)

"North Pepperell's". true name is "North Village". Search on the North Pepperell witch. Just after the war of 1812 the townspeople of Pepperell, MA branded a woman with a hot iron of a cross on her forehead because of her "queer looks and actions". She was thought to be a witch and murderess. After this the woman cursed the town (also known as the five prophecies) and as story tells that the curse came true." I understand that Yankee Magazine had an article on the town, printed about 40 years ago.

http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/15140/Pepperell++Pepperell+Town/Middlesex+County+1875/Massachusetts/