The Dividing Scar: Massachusetts and the Four Lost Towns (Full Documentary)

Boston didn’t have enough water and there was land in Western Massachusetts that was perfect for a reservoir — but 2,500 people lived there, in the former towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott. In 1938, they had to give up everything so the state could take the land. This is the story of the Quabbin Reservoir and the people still affected by its construction.

[bratcatt]

I volunteer for the Swift River Valley Historical Society for the last several years and I must say that this was a well-put together as well as astoundingly thoughtful piece.

[woowoochuggachugga]

My best friend just called me. He was quite shook up. While doing research of the Quabbin this morning he stumbled upon this video. When Zib Pierce said her name at 2:36 his blood ran cold. He got the call from Witty's late afternoon on Thursday to prepare her final resting place. Zib passed on July 6, from old age. He is very shook up that this woman, full of life and vigor on the video is the same woman he is digging a grave for this week. I read her obituary on Witty's website to him and we laughed and cried together. An amazing woman and devoted Orange Community member.

[Pixiepop]

My grandmother had to leave Prescott. I’ve grown up listening to the history. Luckily the homestead is not underwater but it is emotional every visit.

[greenwich]

This place and history is in my blood. Unfortunately, I am getting to the age where limitless hiking and exploration of the watershed have reached my limits - and there is still so much to explore. What makes it extremely difficult, apart from age, is the extreme dense growth and invasive plants that thwart any attempt to find archaeological sites. Ticks, which I don't think I ever saw until about age 30, also are quite discouraging. There is such a spiritual aspect to this place - to see how the land was cleared, worked, homes and stone walls built, only to return to woods, as if to say "all our earthly efforts are for naught".

[marthag]

I grew up in Holyoke, Mass and left Mass in 1976. Never knew this about the Quabbin. Thank you so much for this documentary. Very very interesting.

[EdisonRex]

What a great documentary. Thank you for putting it up. I'm surprised it doesn't have a lot more views and likes after a year.

[TheHonestPeanut]

I can only imagine how it would feel to have your state government take the land I've cleared and worked for a lifetime just to water a city that can't take care of itself. That would leave a heck of a lot of anger in me. Our house is made from the old North Dana general store. We were lucky enough to meet the daughter of the man who moved and built it. There's so much history around here but so much of it has been lost or muddied over the decades and generations. I'm glad there are folks keeping this history alive.

[checkyourhopper]

Great piece! Beautiful shots and a very important story that is very well told in this documentary. nice job!

[RandyGarbin]

Excellent documentary. I'm from Springfield, Mass originally, and Mom often told me stories about her visits to some of the towns now under water when she was still a little girl.

She also told me about the pain many of the original residents experienced when the government cleared and dammed the valley to create a water supply for Boston. These tales left an indelible mark on my conscience and sense of fairness learning that people could lose their homes by government decree.

Later, I would move to Boston where I got to drink that water, but what I also did was tell this story to my new friends, most of whom were not familiar at all with the source of their drinking water. I took several of them on road trips out there to see for themselves and to read the historical markers.

I know that many I've met speak to how beautiful and pristine the area remains thanks to Quabbin, but I will never forget the stories of people that died broken-hearted shortly after removal from their land.

Truth is, no one will ever know what might have become of the valley had Quabbin never happened. The area outside of the reservation's boundaries is also beautiful and mostly undeveloped, but Western Massachusetts as a region, the 413 if you will, lags FAR behind the eastern part.

In fact, someone once remarked to me that the Pacific Northwest is just like Western Mass, except that it has an economy. One can't help but wonder if the attitude that foisted Quabbin upon the area is not at least partly responsible.

[SarahRayner-yp]

Thank you for making this documentary. Growing up in Western Mass in the 00s, there was a general feeling that the state didn't care about us. I was trained as a social worker in Western Mass, and moved to Greater Boston - and it was interesting to experience the differences in how state resources are allocated.

[azspud]

Thank you for telling this story! I now have a deeper appreciation for what was sacrificed by so many. As a photographer who has enjoyed capturing the wildlife there, I know for certain that on our next visit back to the Quabbin, my wife and I will certainly look at it from a different perspective.

[meganfoster]

My father’s family was from Dana. He had me later in life and his father and mother were both forty-five when he was born, so the stories I grew up with sometimes felt closer than cities like Boston. My grandfather, Fred ‘Bucky’ Foster, luckily recorded his recollections of the town in the 80s, like so many other former residents. Even though I was born in 94’ and live on the west coast now, it’s heard to let Swift River go. I tell as many people as I can about it.

[MartinReiter]

I was on a field trip to Quabbin around 1970, with an ecologist, who mentioned the recent release of Wild Turkeys there, brought from Pennsylvania to reintroduce them to New England. It worked.

[stephicath]

My father was pastor at the South Athol Methodist Church around the time of the taking. It was his first church after graduating seminary. He and my mom had several friends in Prescott and Enfield they would recall. I spent summers in my youth with my family at Morgan Memorial's Fresh Air Camps in South Athol working with the kids who would come out from the city to spend some time in the clean air under the stars. That area holds a special place in my heart and memory.

[geemanone]

I grew up and lived most of my life in WMASS. Mostly West Springfield. I always had a innate dislike of Eastern Mass/Boston. 23:55 breaks it down very well.

[MsGaella]

Very well done. -looking at the complexity of this event. Thank you very much.

[seamusrw]

Its good the history of these towns can be preserved. We've lost a lot of history with the building of the MA highways too. Not to mention when towns were incorporated.

[ChadsNewEnglandTracks]

I see why so many in Hardwick vote NO that would potentially change the way of living there. After watching this I completely understand. I can’t wait to build a home on the 10 acres we have next to the quabbin. It is so beautiful there. I hope Hardwick never gets modernized.

[josephlaviolette]

The Quabbin is my favorite place in the world

[stevebowler]

I’ve been to the area and hiked where some stone foundations could be found. Really enjoyed this documentary. Well done.