- City:
- Chester, MA
- Site Type:
- Parks and Recreation
- New Deal Agencies:
- Work Relief Programs, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
- Started:
- 1933
- Completed:
- 1940
- Quality of Information:
- Moderate
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The CCC assisted in the development of this state forest. For example, according to a brochure and web page from the Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway: “Between 1933 and 1940 the Chester-Blandfield State Forest took shape thanks to the hard work of approximately one hundred and fifty young men who were part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). With the Depression in full force, the CCC offered these young men work, regular pay, a place to live and the camaraderie of shared experiences. They came mostly from the Boston area, but also from local towns along Jacob’s Ladder Trail, and their first job was to build a tarpaper camp in the area now occupied by the Bannish Lunber Company on the north side of Route 20….(also)…Boulder Park (part of the Chester-Blandford State Forest) was constructed between 1934 and 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to offer swimming, picnicking, hiking and skiing.”
Source notes
“The H. Newman Marsh Trail at Chester-Blandford State Forest,” Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway, accessed August 13, 2014. “Places to go, things to do,” Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway, accessed August 14, 2014. “CCC Work in Massachusetts Forests and Parks,” Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, accessed August 13, 2014.Site originally submitted by Brent McKee - wpatoday.org on July 21, 2015.
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