Summit Ski
Tow
Jefferson, MA
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Pictures on this page can be enlarged by clicking on them |
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| I went to Holden, MA to do some ski research. While in the library browsing microfilm of the local paper I stumbled upon this ad (on left). The librarian told me there was a street in Jefferson called Summit Street and that a horse farm and riding school is now located there. She told me how to get there. I got kicked out of the library at 4:00 because it was closing (small town library). I went up the hill which was fairly steep to see if I could find any evidence of the ski area. I asked one of the workers at the farm, but she told me I would have to talk to the owner and he was not there. |
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I later heard from the library that William Nawn was was aided by "Mitch" McLaughlin, an engineer at the Norton Company in Worcester. Mr. McLaughlin later became one of the original pioneers up at Snow Valley Ski Area in Vermont. Here are some photos of the area courtesy of the Holden Library. |
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The Summit House Hotel Photo courtesy of Holden Library
Aerial View Photo courtesy of Holden Library
| I recently heard from Amy Parker who lives where Summit Tow used to be. She owns and operates Summitwynds Quarter Horse Farm together with Dick Atkins. Summit comes from the name of their street and the fact that it is located on a hill where a ski resort once stood and Wynd, for the fact that it sure is windy there, year-round! | |
| Amy had the following information and photos to share: | |
| There is a barn here that was once the lodge. My parents added the 2nd story to the barn in the mid to late 60's. We re-sided and re-roofed it a couple years ago.Not only is the fireplace still in half way decent shape, but there is an old painting on the wall that shows what was once the trails.We also have the same thing painted on a piece of plywood. We have built a house where the rope tow used to be. That was taken down years ago. My father also did a lot of excavating for hay fields, so most of the trails are gone. |
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| The actual ski slope before Amy's father
excavated it. The rope tow went down to those pine trees. Then it splits
into 2 more slopes. These are shown on the map. |
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A recent picture of the fireplace that was part of the old ski lodge (now a barn). |
If you enlarge this picture by clicking on it you will
notice Mt Wachusett in the background (just to the right of building), you
can see Princeton Center if you look close (the white steeple shows some). |
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| This photos was probably taken in the 70s. You can see the
ticket booth to the right. This was the actual main ski slope where the
rope tow was. |
On the left hand side of this picture you can see the ski lodge before the 2nd story was added on. |
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| Here are two shots of the map. One is on the wall of the barn and the other is painted on a piece of plywood. | |
| I hope to make a return trip to this area and possibly
explore it this summer. Amy has indicated that she may also have some
other pictures of the area and may be able to get a video (8mm) from the
years of operation. If any more pictures of the area are shared, or if
I find anything on my visit, I will post them here. *Note: This area is on private property. Please do not go on the property without first contacting the owner. |
