fitchburg-hometown
(a toast to iii.energizer-bunny.net)

(I visited the Fitchburg Town Pound this morning.  I am sorry to report that
the ax scarred hand hewn beams drawn by John Chittick on page 22 of this
book are now down and decaying in the dirt.  It looks like the door jam
posts rotted and broke at the soil line.)

(on to the bottom of page 23)  

Even family pets in Fitchburg were well taken care of upon their deaths.  On
the grounds of "Applewild" the C.T. Crocker's former estate on Prospect St.,
a small wooded cemetery bears tribute to the  love and companionship of the
family's dogs.

(On page 24 is a sketch with this caption. "The old cemetery atop Dean Hill
quietly bears tribute to Fitchburg's early settlers.")


                       FREEWHEELING NORTH

Riding a bicycle in a city environment can sometimes be exhausting if not
downright nerve-wracking.  Buses, trucks and cars whiz by the cyclist,
giving little regard for his safety.  Once out on the open road, however,
the mood changes.  The air is cleaner and the pace less hectic.  The vales
of Asby and New Ipswich are an ideal place for pleasure cycling.

Ashby State Rd. Rte. 31 north, provides an easy exit from Fitchburg.  The
seven-mile ascent to Ashby is very gradual, and the shade trees make the air
cool and breezy.  At the common in Ashby, turn right onto New  Ipswich Rd.,
in between the churces.  Bear left at the first intersection and stay on
that road, passing many well-kept farms on your way to New Hampshire.  At a
rise in the road, shortly after crossing the state line, there's a good
place to view Boston's skyline, more than sixty mioles away.  From the same
vantage point, you can also survey Pack Monadnock and the Temple Mtns, New
Hampshire's southernmost chain of hills.

Come to a halt at the stop sign, and at a little red cottage shortly beyond,
bear left at the fork onto Goen Rd.  This will take you into Smithville, a
little hamlet off the beaten track.  Keep bearing right through the village
and on up the hill.  Again, come to a stop sign.  Keep straight ahead and in
a few minutes, you'll enter the village of New Ipswich.  Follow the paved
road.  On your left will shortly appear the Barrett Mansion, a huge
three-story house with numerous ells and additions, open to the public.  New
Ipswich is an interesting town to visit, because of its large collection of
restored old homes.

At the main highway, Rtes. 123-124, turn right and follow Rte. 124 all the
way to its end in West Townsend, Mass.  This road is an exhilarating one for
cyclists, because the last several miles are all downhill and traffic is
sparse.  Crossing over the narrow stone bridge in West Townsend, turn right
at the road's end onto Rte, 119 westbound.  Take your first left onto New
Fitchburg Rd. opposite the white-steepled church, and follow it into
Fitchburg, entering the city near Coolidge Park.

                        ......AND EAST


The hills and vales of the Fichburg region offer the bicyclist an
interesting way to observe community life.  The cyclist can cover vast areas
in a relatively short time, yet does not miss the sights which escape the
motorist travelling at breakneck speed.  All you need is a 10 speed biked a
little enthusiasm, maybe even a picnic lunch and you're no your way.

Say 'goodbye' to the city as you head out Twonsend Rd. past Coolidge Park.
The road cuts through shady woods making it a cool ride to West Townsend.
Take a right onto Rte. 119 east at the old white church and follow the road
from West Townsend to Townsend Ctr.  If you're observant, you'll find two of
the region's three remaining octagon houses (the other is in Fitchburg)
along this strech.  At Townsend, keep on Rte. 119 east all the way to
Groton, a distance of eight miles.  Groton is the home of two nationally
known schools -- Groton Academy and Lawrence Academy, a fact which has
helped retain the mellow character of the town.

At the far end of the common, bear right onto Old Ayer Rd. and follow it to
just past the Groton-Ayer line near Nashoba Hospital.  Then bear left up a
hill onto Groton-Harvard Rd. and keep on the road until its end at Rte. 2A
(East Main St.)  Take a left onto Rte 2A and at the rotary, turn right onto
Rts 110-111 south into Harvard, passing apple orchards along the way.  The
Harvard common is an unspoiled area with stately elm trees shading the
village.  Turn right here onto Rte. 110 south, proceeding through the sleepy
hamlet of Still River.  Continue on Rte. 110 past Rte. 117 until you come to
a five-cornered interestion in the town of Lancaster.  Turn sharp right here
and head to the Lancaster village street.  On the common is a church built
in 1816 by Chales Bulfinch, the nation's leading architect of the day.
Ancient elms still arch Main St. as they have for countless generations,
prompting Lancaster to be recognized for the beauty of its elms.

At the end of the street, turn left onto Rte. 117 west and head over Ballard
Hill (good-luck!) into Leominster.  At Monument Square, head up West St.,
always bearing right until you reach the lights at Lindell and Merriam
Streets.  Turn left at the lights and follow South St. back into Fitchburg.
The forty-five mile jaunt what you have just covered will certainly be time
well spent, because the charms of the Nashoba Valley are experience best at
a leisurely pace.

 
                                ROCK ON

If you are in good shape, and possess a good pair of sturdy boots, try your
skill at climbing some rock cliffs where the vertical drop is about 60 feet.
Don't be surprised if you find people there, as these  cliffs are used by
members of the Appalachian Mountain Club and others who are interested in
learning the technical aspects of rock climbing.  We do suggest that you
don't attempt the cliffs alone.  And it might be a good idea to go to the
library if you are a novice, and read a book on the rudiments of climbing.

These cliffs are on teh Crow Hills (1,234 feet), twin summits situated in
Leominster State Forest in the town of Westminster.  To get there, drive out
Rte, 31 towards Princeton, crossing Rte. 2.  Farther down the road, park
your car at the Princeton-Westminster town line opposite Crow Hill Pond.  Go
up the hillside and follow the trail to the cliffs.  When the path comes to
a fork, bear left.  Here you'll see the cliffs which will look quite
imposing from the base.

Make sure that you and your friend are careful ascending the cliffs.  If you
are a beginner, don't take any chances.  Experienced climber never do. But
if you make it, you'll have an exhilarating experience and a fantastic view
when you reach the top.  If the climb down looks a bit scary, you can always
take the trail back along the ridge down to your car.

Some people prefer to scramble over the rocks on their way up Rollstone
Hill.  Because of past quarry operations, there are many places hear the
summit where you can go rock climbing.  To get there, park your car on Pratt
Road, opposite Lovisa Street and follow the little dirt road through the
woods.  The view of Fitchburg from the top is well worth the trek and you
can make the climb in sneakers.

(to be continued -- next the tornado of 1924)