Not our name, but our passion
The Pepperell Covered Bridge in Pepperell, Massachusetts spans the Nashua River. The current bridge dates from 1963 replacing previous bridges that were on the same site. This bridge still carries heavy vehicle traffic but can be easily accessed from the parking area for the Prudence Wright Overlook. Prudence Wright is an important historical figure during the Revolutionary War and this location is important to her story.
Fitchburg became a highly industrialized city in the 19th century with the utilization of the Nashua River for power. Unlike some other towns Fitchburg had a widely diversified manufacturing base with mills making textiles, paper, saws, chains, guns, axel grease, shoes, bicycles and other machines. The mills brought to the area a surge of neighborhood growth and social reforms. Fitchburg was a stop on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. By around 1900 industries began to move west and the advent of the automobile meant that people no longer had to live within the city. The decline of industry and the movement towards the suburbs led to the inevitable decline going into the 20th century. Today’s Fitchburg sees many of its mills and factory buildings turned into shops, apartment buildings and other businesses.
Along the Nashua River in Fitchburg is the little used Sheldon Street Gateway Park. The under kept park has a short hiking trail and little infrastructure. When we were there in the summer of 2020 it was overgrown and under utilized although that may have been because of the pandemic. The site has picnic tables, a picnic shelter, an overgrown community garden and a walking trail.
The Fitchburg Town Common also called the upper common or green is an Olmsted Brothers designed landscape. The main feature is a 1923 angel statue now commemorating the soldiers of World War II. There is also a sculpture by Fitchburg native Herbet Adams and a stone marker celebrating Calvin Coolidge. The bandstand on the common has summer concerts when there is no global pandemic.
Trap Falls in Ashby is within the Willard Brook State Forest. This small waterfall can be accessed with a short walk into the woods, it is surrounded by woodland and the small stream and falls are very picturesque especially in the Autumn. There are also picnic tables and a few grills adjacent to the parking area.
