Indian Rock

Indian Rock

Over the winter an interesting antique postcard surfaced revealing a view from "Indian Rock" in Dalton, central Berkshires. Although the image did not show the rock itself, I did not let that discourage me from searching out the location of this heretofore unknown (to me - anyways) site.

Using a former Appalachian Trail access, I worked my way into the area that would possibly line up the view seen in the postcard. It did not take very long to come upon a large glacial boulder with a nearly smooth, level surface. Certainly would make for a good meeting site. And - another source had mention a "Meeting Rock" in the general vicinity, that also having a Native American background.

Reconnaissance of the area both before - and after - the photo session, revealed nothing more than that several token, small erratics. Nothing on the order of what I assume to be Indian Rock.

On the hike back, I scouted the old AT route but it has all been obliterated in recent years. But down near the Housatonic River, I discovered an old dam site that had been breached in the attempt to return the mighty river to its more natural state.

Essex County/Cape Ann

Spring has come very, VERY slowly. Good days seem all too far and few between. But a roll of the dice and on up to Essex County to see how far I could go.

Day One: Working information that surfaced just after my last visit to Essex County, I trolled through the moraine containing Ship Rock in search of Kimball Rock. A few good sized boulders were encountered, although nothing nearly equaling the size of Ship Rock. At a location marked on my source map (albeit: somewhat of a small scale) the 'largest' of these boulders was found and I assume this to be Kimball Rock. Now to determine the source of its name.

Lookout Rock (mentioned as being a boulder) was given a second go now that a more definitive location was found. Several erratic extended from the crest of a hill downward. The largest, at the top, was assumed to be Lookout Rock. However, views were mostly obscured due to newer growth. A nearby outcrop along the hillside offered just a slightly better view.

Lookout Rock

With a bit of time to kill, I quickly drove up the interstate into the more northerly portions of the county to try once again and identify the Ordway Boulder. A local history expert verified, on my last pass through the area, it would be in the same section of woods as the previously visited Haystack Boulder. Still no luck on this one and seeing the property is being carved up for development, I have to wonder how long future visits may be possible.

Day Two: Early morning and time to roll on to Cape Ann and Pigeon Cove. Very quickly gaining access the sea shore rocks, I began the process of identifying sites from old images. Chapin's (Great Gully) is well know, down to Singer's Rock, and on to Cathedral Rocks and the Bathing/Swimming Place. Reversing direction, I passed the Gargoyle, and looked extensively for a much sought out prize: Dick's Dream. I got up as far as the Frog (completely swamped by a ferocious surf). An abundance of marvelous dikes were to be seen along the way, but could not find what Dick might have been dreaming of.

Drawning of Dick's Dream from "Pigeon Cove and Vicinity" 1873

Coming down the coast, I was pleasantly surprised to find a rock depicted on an old postcard of Pigeon Hill. In one version of this postcard, it is called Profile Rock. A somewhat marginal example of this phenomenon. But there it was, once standing proudly against the backdrop of the vista below, now surrounded by the growth of recent generations. Down below, I took in the sites available from the Granite Pier.

One longer hike out to the Devil's Den, and a short jaunt on the Old Rockport Road, finished the day.

Part of the 'Devil's Den' outcrop

Days Three and Four: Ah - the almighty rains rolled in over night but were light enough for me to slip out in the morning to the very rocky Poles Hill. The next morning saw very slight improvement, so I ran with it, stopping off at the Stone Chair and swinging up and around Halibut Point to Pigeon Cove once again. Despite the constant threat that rain would descend upon me, I went back out on the rocks in a slightly different area from two days previous. I came back by the Frog, spied something that looked like Dick's Dream, but gave it a thumbs down on my previous pass by two dys earlier. Not having my printouts with me, I shot a couple of photos to look over later.

Meteoric Rock was listed on the back of an old stereoview as being among these rocks. One local, theorized it to be an elevated gabbro dike which I did find. However, without the actual photo - it's hard to complete the identification. I worked back down the coast to photograph (again) Singer's Rock which had been washed out by the sunlight two days previous.

Singer's Rock: circa 1870s - above; and present day - below.



I usually like to include a Dogtown hike on each visit, but threatening weather made long treks out into the open iffy at best. Finally a decision was made to go for the Briar Swamp area and Racoon Rocks. Destination reached: the rain started slow and steady. So retreating to the car, the long journey home was made once again.

Pocumtuck

View out of King Philip's Cave

A pretty straightforward visit to the Connecticut River Valley. I decided to take in a postcard show in Greenfield then head South down the Valley and see how far I could get. Not too far really, but considering this was after working the whole week previous and all night too, I got in a nice trip.

The afternoon was spent hiking the southern end of the Pocumtuck Range once again ending at a small cave formation that has been called King Philip's Cave. It is but a small alcove eroded out of the Sugarloaf Arkose but it comes with spectacular views of the valley below.

Return to Wachussetts

Cave formation in north-central Worcester County

The weekend start off with a brief jaunt to the central Berkshires. This was to give my cameras a 'test run' after the long winter layoff. It also gave me a chance to look over a rather large boulder mentioned to me by a co worker. Afterwards a drive along the back road confirmed plenty of snow still on the ground as well as sections of rock that looked to be from the mountain looming behind. Final destination was good old Reynolds Rock, a fine photographic test, standing amongst the snow still spitting from the previous day's northeaster that never fully materialized.

Sunday started in earnest as I was out in central Massachusetts as the sun rose. The first destination was way out in Middlesex County - the Boston Antique Photo Show. A couple hours here was enough before moving on to the area in and around the Wachusetts Reservoir. I basically worked the area visited back in February when snow and wind were the order of the day. First sought out was an Indian Rock first visited some years back. It apparently is now a decoration in front of a newer home.

Off in the nearby woods, I worked the story of two Tory Caves. Like many stories of history, there are discrepancies as to location. In the past I looked at one location which was basically a bit of a ledge outcropping. No cave passage of any sort. But I was told a new location might hold more promise. After a walk through the woods, and some intensive searching of ledges and glacial boulders, little was to be found. Possible two overlapping erratics might provide a bit of shelter. I confirmed my observations with two young men I ran into and then looked over a monstrous sized boulder before moving on.

Over on the other side of Wachusetts, I returned to the "Clamshell Cut" which was the site of several old postcards including one dubious "Profile Rock". There have been some minor changes to the walls of this rock cut, including a 'knob' that I imagine once was the nose for this very minor profile feature.

Continuing on , I dropped in at the Rowlandson Rock - or Boulder - site of where Mary Rowlandson was said to have spent her first night in captivity during King Philip's War. From there it was but a brief drive over to examine some rocky cave formations brought to my attention by a local man posting them on his internet photo site.

The day was finished up on a section of the Mid-State Trail where the Everett Tomb is located. Now where did that tomb go? I saw it once a few years back. Ah well - next time. Darkness was moving in and it was time to catch the Mohawk Trail back to the Berkshires

Wachusetts!

The 'Wachusetts Profile' circa just after the Reservoir's completion

A mid winter break took me out to the farthest reaches (from my perspective) of Worcester County for a lecture on the history of the Wachusetts Reservoir. Much has been written regarding the much larger - and later built - Quabbin Reservoir but this is the most comprehensive gathering of information I've seen on Wachusetts.

But since it is a bit of a drive for this individual, I thought I'd try to mix in a little project work along the way. It was met with only moderate success as snow and biting wind turned back attempts at reaching most sites. But one pleasant surprise was a local library within the region between the two great reservoirs. Here the origin of a mysterious postcard "Everett Tomb" was investigated. By the time I left, its story had been partially explored. But being off in the woods, the time for a physical visit will have to wait.

Moving along I tried to get in to Rowlandson Rock and a railroad rock cut that has several postcards of its likeness, including one "Profile Rock", but here's where weather got the better of the situation. Even the local Profile Rock along the main highway was encrusted within an icy robe. Arriving in Town for the lecture I first scouted out their local library where information on a local Tory Cave/Bear's Den was found. The presentation went off without a hitch and I even reconnected with Fred from the local historical society whom I met on a couple occasions in years past. Fred has - and continues to be - a very valuable source of information on the local area.

Lecture finished, it was time to wander north to the Mohawk Trail for the return home to the Berkshires.

The Nutmeg State

November is traditionally the time I journey on down into Connecticut. Rest and relaxation is the first order of business but certainly included in there is a chance to explore different territories, different histories.

Day One started off on one - of many - old railroad lines that have been converted in recent years to bike paths. This one in Farmington took me across the Farmington River, north, past an abandoned side line. This spur ran up to a somewhat dilapidated building that once held a former business, while the rail trail continued it's northward journey for many a mile more. On the return trip, after traversing the River once again, a pleasant surprise was to be had in a more rustic trail, that wound it's way along the river bank before returning near the vicinity of the parked car.

Another, nearby, bike path also along a former RR bed) was scouted by car before retuning to another section of the Farmington River that once carried the Farmington Canal over over the river by way of a viaduct. All that remains are a couple abutments and foundations.

Is this - or is this not - a profile?

Day Two was devoted to the shoreline after a quick spin past a local rock that a previously investigated trolley line once ran through. Upon arriving at Lighthouse Point in New Haven, lighthouse, rocks, and other historic features from the past were given a going over.

Then on over to the other side of the bay where a gem of local history lies in Savin Rock. The "Rock" gave it's name to a once thriving - and long gone - amusement park. Today a museum remains as well as an ocean walk. But my interests were once again drawn to the rocks where one old postcard mentions a 'profile' and Savin Rock. It is not entirely clear if this is meant to be a 'facial profile' in rock (maybe a possible interpretation) or profile in it's more general meaning - as in a side view. However, photos were taken for later study, and the perimeter of Savin Rock itself was studied where one profile of an 'old man' type could be found.

With the Savin Rock museum closed, research was limited on the return trip to the cuisine of the famous local hot dog stand. Two thumbs up on this 'historic' and tasty location.

Back to Cape Ann

This is the one I look forward to all year. The annual return to Essex County which has me staying out on Cape Ann. This year I had enough on the Cape to keep me busy but first...

Day One: Coming in by the standard, routine approach - Rt. 128 - I stopped in at one of my old favorites Ship Rock in southern Essex County. It is always a challenge to try to photograph this boulder because of it's enormousness size and generally I arrive during early day when the rock is drenched in sunlight. Moving on a bit to the southern perimeter of town I reexamined a patch of conservation land just littered with glacial boulders, some of significant size. One worthy specimen is a classic perched/balanced rock just over 60 feet in circumference. Last - before pulling out of town to set up camp - I ascended at ridge quite close to the town boundary where power lines had opened a path showing dozens upon dozens of perched boulders left from the glacial age. All this area was once the object of study of the Essex Institute - now merged with the Peabody Museum - during the middle 1800's.

Day Two: Some excellent Fall weather and I took to the most northern portions of Cape Ann. A local woman had provided clues to a couple possible caves in that area and searching coastal areas found a couple cave-like features formed in gigantic boulder piles. I later confirmed this as one of the caves mentioned to me by the local woman. I followed this with her second lead passing by old quarries (of which - many exist in this area) to a ravine I thought might be the cave location. With nothing seen here - I moved on.

The Devil's Den, along with Profile Rock

Down the coast is Pigeon Cove, the location of many old photographic and postcard images. Especially of rocky formations. One is the Devil's Den and Profile Rock. Success was to be had at locating this old site. Still further south lays a section of Gloucester once know as Joppa. A good chunk of woodlands was covered in another less than successful attempt at locating the Old Man of Joppa profile formation. After chowing down some bogus supermarket pizza, I decided to work off my meal in the southern extremes of Dogtown visiting Tent Rock and five of Babson's inscribed boulders.

The expanse of Dogtown with Uncle Andrews Rock (aka: Babson's 'Spiritual Power' boulder) to the far upper right. From a 1890's glass slide by W. S. Beekman.

Day Three: Now we come to the Dogtown walk. Wouldn't be a visit to Cape Ann without one significant hike through the moorlands that once was the main settlement of Gloucester long before residents took to the coastal areas. Working with a newer publication I picked up late last year, I walked a unnamed trail down towards Babson Reservoir where my book told me rocks larger than Uncle Andrews and Peter's Pulpit - two of the largest erratics in Dogtown - might exist. Although numerous boulders were to be seen - some of pretty big size - I cannot say they exceeded the aforementioned rocks in size. But I made a circuit by coming back up the Babson Boulder Trail and verifying that the backside of Uncle Andrews Rock (aka: Spiritual Power) was the site represented on an old glass slide I picked up the preceding winter. Cellar hole #23 (stone seems to be missing) finally was located. This one belonging to Col. Pearce, a wealthy Gloucester family, and one I had an postcard of the old cellar hole.

To the northeast, near the Goose Cove Reservoir, another section of old Dogtown was investigated. One cellar hole marker on the road in was found, one on a rock in the Reservoir (visible only because of low water), and two were found along the city street leading away from the waters. Goose Cove has(had?) a small waterfall depicted on an old postcard. The site was located but with water running on the low side, did not appear particularly significant.

Once again shooting out to the northern extremes of Cape Ann, I further worked cave lead #2 from two days ago, weaving my way through many an old quarry, but still finding nothing noteworthy. Then out to the ocean side at two locations, at one - visiting Chapin's Gully and the Great Gargoyle.

Day Four: Down in the urban town is a patch of nature that survived and is known as the Magic Garden. Following my visit to the Garden, I returned to scour another section in Joppa coming across interesting boulders and ledges but no Old Man. Coming down the coast I decided to spend my final hours in town at sentimental favorites in George Washington's profile and Rafes Chasm Park. On the way back out of the area, I found my way to Singing Beach at Manchester looking over rocks at both ends of the beach. Postcards depict Eagle Head (shape of an eagle's head) and one of the Sentinel (rock). After experiencing the 'singing' of sand beneath my feet towards the beach's southern end, it was time to leave Cape Ann once again...

Addendum: The return home brought the usual sifting through, and going over, all that had been gathered. Additional research brought up some very interesting information on sites in the vicinity I had just covered near Ship Rock, et al. Long sought Wigwam Rock appears to have been mostly taken for construction purposes some years back. Still I would like to pinpoint its location. Lookout Rock, also once looked for, has showed up on a map with a pretty definitive location. And a new entry: Kimball Rock. All will be worked on during future visits to Essex County.