SEPTEMBER IS ATHOL HISTORY MONTH – Join the Athol Historical Society on a tour through your town.
As you drive through the town of Athol you may not be aware that the streets and roads follow the same
general pattern as the paths that the early settlers used. Ruth Marzec a former teacher in town and life
member of the Athol Historical Society interviewed many people and researched our roadways to determine
how they got their names. The following is information from a report compiled by Marzec several decades ago.
Auburn Place was originally called the “road to the schoolhouse” until 1894 when it became Highland Place.
The name was changed years later because of the confusion between Highland Avenue and Highland Street.
Batchelder Road, named after Daniel Bachelder who lived on the road from 1833-1868, is one of the very early
roads in town. Many early deeds refer to it as the “road to New Salem”. Bearsden Road was established in
1766 from a farm at the foot of the Round Top to the Meeting House. At the time there were said to be
numerous dens of bears in this area. Chestnut Street was a public way as early as 1769; it was improved in
1799 when it became part of the Fifth Massachusetts Turnpike. It was abandoned as part of the turnpike in
1815 but continued as a town road. Doe Valley Road was part of the first County Road laid through town in
1758, extending from Petersham to Warwick. Until 1853, and the construction of the present Petersham Road
(Rt 32), this was the road most used between these towns.
Beautiful elms along both sides of the road adorned Elm Street. It became a town road in 1897. Estabrook
Street was given the family name of the second pastor of Athol. It runs across the westerly part of the
Estabrook Farm. Greenwood Terrace was a private way, which was laid out by Dr. F. Russell Dame in 1932.
Grove Street was originally called Clapp Hill because Deacon Samuel Clapp lived there. In early times there
was a pine grove and picnic site in the area of Wilder Street. Clapp Hill was the street that would lead one from
the Common to the grove so the name just naturally developed. In early records Highland Street is known as
Cunningham Road and in 1870 it was named Prospect Street. In 1874 records show the name was changed to
Highland Street, most likely because it is situated on the hill in the upper village. Tremont Street and High
Street were originally meant to be in different locations. The sign for Tremont was accidentally placed where
High Street was to be and vice versa; the signage was accepted before the error was discovered.
In the years following the Civil War Liberty Street was named to remind everyone of human freedom – one of
the reasons for the most recent fighting. Main Street is the longest most important street in town. Its course
has been altered several times, but the name has remained. It originally ran from Pleasant Street to North
Orange, then it was deflected so as to cross Mill Brook near the Congregational Church. At one time it was
part of the Turnpike Corporation. Only minor changes have taken place in its course since 1893.
Kennebunk Street was named for the coastal town. When mills were built in the area for the utilization of
waterpower, a gentleman named Mr. Wheeler moved from Kennebunk, Maine to operate the mills. He insisted
on calling the road leading to the mills by the name of his former home.
Many streets were named after prominent settlers who lived in the area. Some of these streets are Barrett Ave,
Humphrey Place, Kelton Street. Lewis Street and Morse Place.
Pleasant Street was the very first public way within Athol’s present limits. For years it was only known as “the
Street” and its residents were called “the Streeters”. It has been listed as Pleasant Street since 1859.
In 1975 the Athol Bicentennial Commission undertook the “Athol History Trail” project in the belief that “the
more one knows a town, the more likely he or she is to appreciate it and do things for it”. The trail is made up
of 24 landmarks that have significant historic value to the town of Athol. The trail is about 16 miles long and
takes approximately 1 ¼ hours to complete at a leisurely place. A white sign that tells a story of that particular
spot marks each point of interest. There is also a booklet that was printed through donations from local
organizations and individuals that describes the path to take and the places to see along the trail.
If you would like to learn more about the town’s early streets and other points of interest, please join us on
September 24th for a narrated bus tour along the Athol History Trail. The cost is $8 per person and the tour
will be followed by a picnic lunch at the Athol Historical Society. This is appropriate for all ages. Reservations
are necessary and may be made by calling Debbie (978-249-5835) or Susannah (978-249-4396). Buses will
leave the society promptly at 10:45AM.
As you drive through the town of Athol you may not be aware that the streets and roads follow the same
general pattern as the paths that the early settlers used. Ruth Marzec a former teacher in town and life
member of the Athol Historical Society interviewed many people and researched our roadways to determine
how they got their names. The following is information from a report compiled by Marzec several decades ago.
Auburn Place was originally called the “road to the schoolhouse” until 1894 when it became Highland Place.
The name was changed years later because of the confusion between Highland Avenue and Highland Street.
Batchelder Road, named after Daniel Bachelder who lived on the road from 1833-1868, is one of the very early
roads in town. Many early deeds refer to it as the “road to New Salem”. Bearsden Road was established in
1766 from a farm at the foot of the Round Top to the Meeting House. At the time there were said to be
numerous dens of bears in this area. Chestnut Street was a public way as early as 1769; it was improved in
1799 when it became part of the Fifth Massachusetts Turnpike. It was abandoned as part of the turnpike in
1815 but continued as a town road. Doe Valley Road was part of the first County Road laid through town in
1758, extending from Petersham to Warwick. Until 1853, and the construction of the present Petersham Road
(Rt 32), this was the road most used between these towns.
Beautiful elms along both sides of the road adorned Elm Street. It became a town road in 1897. Estabrook
Street was given the family name of the second pastor of Athol. It runs across the westerly part of the
Estabrook Farm. Greenwood Terrace was a private way, which was laid out by Dr. F. Russell Dame in 1932.
Grove Street was originally called Clapp Hill because Deacon Samuel Clapp lived there. In early times there
was a pine grove and picnic site in the area of Wilder Street. Clapp Hill was the street that would lead one from
the Common to the grove so the name just naturally developed. In early records Highland Street is known as
Cunningham Road and in 1870 it was named Prospect Street. In 1874 records show the name was changed to
Highland Street, most likely because it is situated on the hill in the upper village. Tremont Street and High
Street were originally meant to be in different locations. The sign for Tremont was accidentally placed where
High Street was to be and vice versa; the signage was accepted before the error was discovered.
In the years following the Civil War Liberty Street was named to remind everyone of human freedom – one of
the reasons for the most recent fighting. Main Street is the longest most important street in town. Its course
has been altered several times, but the name has remained. It originally ran from Pleasant Street to North
Orange, then it was deflected so as to cross Mill Brook near the Congregational Church. At one time it was
part of the Turnpike Corporation. Only minor changes have taken place in its course since 1893.
Kennebunk Street was named for the coastal town. When mills were built in the area for the utilization of
waterpower, a gentleman named Mr. Wheeler moved from Kennebunk, Maine to operate the mills. He insisted
on calling the road leading to the mills by the name of his former home.
Many streets were named after prominent settlers who lived in the area. Some of these streets are Barrett Ave,
Humphrey Place, Kelton Street. Lewis Street and Morse Place.
Pleasant Street was the very first public way within Athol’s present limits. For years it was only known as “the
Street” and its residents were called “the Streeters”. It has been listed as Pleasant Street since 1859.
In 1975 the Athol Bicentennial Commission undertook the “Athol History Trail” project in the belief that “the
more one knows a town, the more likely he or she is to appreciate it and do things for it”. The trail is made up
of 24 landmarks that have significant historic value to the town of Athol. The trail is about 16 miles long and
takes approximately 1 ¼ hours to complete at a leisurely place. A white sign that tells a story of that particular
spot marks each point of interest. There is also a booklet that was printed through donations from local
organizations and individuals that describes the path to take and the places to see along the trail.
If you would like to learn more about the town’s early streets and other points of interest, please join us on
September 24th for a narrated bus tour along the Athol History Trail. The cost is $8 per person and the tour
will be followed by a picnic lunch at the Athol Historical Society. This is appropriate for all ages. Reservations
are necessary and may be made by calling Debbie (978-249-5835) or Susannah (978-249-4396). Buses will
leave the society promptly at 10:45AM.
