Lost Villages Scenic Byway (Route 122)
Currently, Western Massachusetts has seven state-designated scenic byways, all part of the US Department of Transportation’s National Scenic Byway Program. Much of the Scenic Byway network originated hundreds of years ago as Native American footpaths along river valleys and hillsides. European settlers expanded many of the paths into stagecoach routes connecting villages to towns. Some areas boomed as a result of tourism and industry, while other receded.
The Lost Villages section of the Route 122 Scenic Byway derives its name from the many settled areas that were “lost” as a result of changes in human settlement patterns, the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir and its aqueduct system, and other historic events. Linking the towns of Orange, New Salem, Petersham, Barre, Oakham, Rutland, and Paxton, the Route 122 Lost Villages Scenic Byway connects 40 miles of back roads, pristine land, and historic sites. Vestiges of former towns, old farm settlements, and outdoor recreation opportunities abound. “Lost Villages” include:
Towns “lost” to the Quabbin Reservoir (Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott)
• The “Indian” caves
• West Rutland Village
• Coldbrook Springs Village
• White Valley Village
• Nichewaug Village
• Moore State Park
• Rutland Prison Camp
• Old mill villages and farm settlements
By 2015, the towns of Petersham, Barre, Oakham, Rutland and Paxton- which all contain Lost Villages- will have unique Scenic Byways kiosks that highlight important sites and pay homage to the Lost Villages. The poster information content has been developed by local advisory committee with representatives from each town. For Oakham, that included Wes Dwelly and Bill Mucha and for Barre, that included Ed Yaglou and Phil Hubbard. Graphic Artist, Nancy Allen, an advisory committee member from Petersham lent her talents to the poster design. The kiosks were constructed by the carpenters at the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the dedicated staff at the Barre DPW installed the kiosk.
The Route 122 Lost Villages Scenic Byway is a collaborative project of the five towns of Barre, Oakham, Paxton, Petersham, and Rutland, in partnership with the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, Massachusetts, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.
For more on the Scenic Byways kiosks, contact: Trish Settles, tsettles@cmrpc.org or (508) 459-3320.
Kiosk Posters
Petersham
- Side 1 - In progress Side 2 - In progress
Barre
Oakham
Rutland
Paxton
Related websites
Lost Villages Scenic Byway Facebook page
Route 122 Scenic Byway webpage
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Quabbin Reservoir
Massachusetts Dept. of Transportation State Highway Map