Mount Grace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Grace |
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View from Mount Grace firetower; Mount Monadnock visible in the distance
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,617 ft (493 m) |
| Prominence | 682 ft (208 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Warwick, Massachusetts. |
| Parent range | Upland plateau of central Massachusetts |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | 400 million yrs. |
| Mountain type | monadnock; metamorphic rock |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Metacomet-Monadnock Trail |
Mount Grace, which stands at 1,617 feet (493 m) tall, is a noticeable mountain in north central Massachusetts. It is located in the town of Warwick, about two miles south of the New Hampshire border. The mountain is rugged and mostly covered in woods. However, a firetower on its summit offers wide views of the surrounding countryside. Little Mount Grace, at 1,226 feet (374 m), is the mountain's southern peak. Mount Grace is home to a forest mostly made up of hardwood trees. It also has groups of red spruce trees near its summit.
The north side of Mount Grace sends its water into the Ashuelot River. This river then flows into the Connecticut River, and finally into Long Island Sound. Water from the west side drains into the Connecticut River through Mill Brook. The south and east sides drain into the Millers River, which also flows into the Connecticut River.
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History of Mount Grace
Mount Grace gets its name from Grace (Sarah) Rowlandson. She was the daughter of Mary Rowlandson, a Puritan colonist from Massachusetts. Grace died after she and her mother were taken by Native Americans from the Narragansett Tribe. This happened during King Philip's War in 1676.
Picnic Areas
In the 1930s, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps built a picnic area. It was located on the west side of Route 78, at the bottom of the mountain. They built stone walls along the brook. They also created picnic spots with stone fireplaces and grills, along with a road to reach them. Many hardwood trees were thinned out, leaving mostly White Pines.
By the 1980s, the State stopped taking care of this picnic area. Brush began to grow, and the area started to turn back into a forest. In the late 1990s, many of the large White Pines had died. The State then logged the area. They left the leftover wood on the ground to help new trees grow.
The very top of Mount Grace also has a small picnic area for visitors.
Fun Activities and Protecting Nature
Mount Grace is part of the Mount Grace State Forest, which covers 1,458 acres. Many outdoor activities can be enjoyed here. These include hiking, backpacking, hunting, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and snowshoeing. The 114-mile (183 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail crosses over the mountain's summit. There is a simple shelter called a lean-to on the east side of the mountain. It can be used for basic camping.
In 2000, Mount Grace was part of a study by the National Park Service. They looked into possibly including it in a new National Scenic Trail. By 2007, this project was planned to be called the New England National Scenic Trail. This trail would include the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail in Massachusetts. It would also connect to the Mattabesett and Metacomet trails in Connecticut. In 2009, President Obama signed a bill. This made the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail part of the National Scenic Trail system.
The Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust is an organization that works to protect land in this area. It is named after Mount Grace.
Warwick Fire Tower
The Warwick Fire Tower is a lookout tower used to spot forest fires. It stands on the summit of Mount Grace. The first Warwick Fire Tower was built in 1911. It was a 40-foot iron tower with a ladder and a small 6x6-foot room at the top. In 1920, it was replaced by a taller 68-foot iron tower. This tower was blown down by a hurricane in 1938.
The current tower was built in 1939. It is a 68-foot steel tower with a 10x10-foot wooden room at the top. In the spring of 2010, the fire tower was completely fixed up. It is still used today as an active state fire tower. It is staffed by people from March to May, and again from late August to October. The exact times depend on how high the fire danger is.
In 2004, this tower was added to the National Historic Lookout Register. It is listed as US 628, MA 39.
