There are today over 100 miles of existing public roads in Monson. There are also many abandoned roads, which show up on old town maps & topographical maps.

However, many of the roads on the topographical maps are/were private and the distinction is not made.

Confirmation that a road was public sometimes can be found in town records, particularly in the Road Book, which is available at the Town Clerk's office. This book apparently was created pre-1955, but has not been updated. I have imaged the book & included some of the pertinent sections, including the index. in this presentation.

Apparently, an early distinction was made amoung Town, County & State roads, where the County roads connected towns. The prime example is what is labeled on early maps as the county road which formed the Northwest boundary, and became Route 20. I suspect that the Brimfield, Wales, Upper & Lower Hampden, & Wilbraham roads were considered county roads at one time. There may be others.

Another consideration are toll roads & bridges, and alternative routes. A possible example may be where the county road (Rte 20) crosses the Quabaug River and old (so far unnamed) road from just before the bridge, South to State Alms House. This might have been part of an alternative East-West route.

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