Upton State Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upton State Forest |
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Parade ground of the former CCC camp area
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 Upton State Forest
Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | Upton, Hopkinton, Westborough, Worcester, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States |
| Area | 2,790 acres (11.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 502 ft (153 m) |
| Established | 1915 |
| Operator | Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation |
| Website | Upton State Forest |
Welcome to Upton State Forest! This amazing public forest is mostly in Upton, Massachusetts. Smaller parts are also in Hopkinton and Westborough. It's a great place to explore nature and history.
The forest covers almost 2,800 acres (1,100 ha) of land that everyone can visit. It's special because it has the last remaining Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in Massachusetts. This camp was built in a cool, natural style called Rustic style. In 2014, the CCC campground was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site!
Discovering Upton State Forest's Past
Ancient Times and Early Settlers
Long ago, this area was important to Native Americans. It's close to the Old Connecticut Path and the Blackstone River. These were busy routes for people traveling through the land.
As you walk through the forest, you might see old stone walls and holes in the ground. These are signs of early colonial homes from the 1600s. This fits with records of settlements in nearby towns like Mendon, Grafton, and Westborough.
Mills and Quarries: Forest Industries
An old map from 1851 shows a sawmill at the south end of Dean Pond. A big flood in 1882 washed it away. But in 1938, the CCC workers found its remains. People also say there were cider mills in the area.
A logger named Ben Wood owned land here in the 1800s. He would set up a portable sawmill to cut trees. You can still find clues of old industries in the forest. For example, there's a spot called "Pilkington’s Quarry." Here, Alexander Pilkington used to dig for stone. You can still see discarded round stone cuts there.
How Upton State Forest Was Created
Protecting the Land: State Forest Commission
In the late 1800s, people worried about too much logging. They saw how it harmed the land and wildlife. So, in 1914, Massachusetts created the State Forest Commission. They had money to buy land, but only if it cost $5 or less per acre.
On March 29, 1915, the first piece of land was given to the new state forest. It was a 60-acre plot from D.W. Gaskill. The state started buying more land in Upton and nearby towns in 1933 and 1934.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp
In 1935, Upton State Forest became home to a CCC camp. This camp, called Camp SP 25, was active until 1938. The CCC was a program during the Great Depression. It gave young men jobs working on public lands.
The CCC workers built many things in the forest. They constructed buildings like barracks and a recreation hall. They also built two forest roads and picnic areas. One of their big projects was building an earthen dam. This dam created the 10-acre Dean Pond. You can still see the camp's buildings and parade ground off Westboro Road today.
Fun Things to Do at Upton State Forest
Upton State Forest is a great place for outdoor adventures! There are many trails for different activities.
- Hiking: Explore the forest on foot.
- Mountain Biking: Ride your bike on exciting trails.
- Horseback Riding: Enjoy the scenery on horseback.
- Cross-Country Skiing: Glide through the snow in winter.
- Snowmobiling: Have fun on designated snowmobile trails.
- Fishing: Try to catch some fish in the ponds.
- Hunting: There is some restricted hunting allowed.
- Picnicking: Enjoy a meal outdoors in the picnic areas.
