I should say, a lot of Help.

I think I have most of the old maps, but only some of the old postcard images. If you are one of the Monson postcard collectors, and some of the images match the objectives of this site (mills, old roads & bridges, etc.,) it may be a chance to showcase parts of your collection, with contact information.

Grace Makepeace's book History of Monson for the Monson Historical Society covers the major mills in the village area.

Mills I am more interested in the older (earlier) mills all around town, many were Grist and/or Saw mills accepting barter arrangements. There were others, more commerical in nature - such as in the Silver Street area, and on the Quaboag River. The problem is that is not much documentation on these, and little physical evidence. Any information on such sites is welcome, and if used, and the contribution will be acknowledged.

Town & County Roads I am attempting to walk all of the abandoned roads. I have yet to walk Dorsett & Warriner - if you want to join me, you are welcome. Of particular interest are two old roads in the Northwest, the (unofficial) Calkins off of Maxwell, and the road below (East of) Bald Peak, which I call the AlmsHouse road - any information on these (or any other old roads) would be appreciated.

Trolleys While the route of the original (1898-192?) is well established, I speculate the private right-of-way extended from Bunyan Rd to Hospital Rd, on the West side the Chicopee Brook, through (what is now) the Gagne property. On the South side of Bunyan, the roadbed is well established (a nice walk,) but where it returned to the Palmer Road is not clear - any information on anything to do with the Palmer-Monson Trolley is more than welcome.

Railroads The main N/S RR through Monson is fairly well documented. However, the site needs images of the two trestles crossing the Palmer Road - The Flynt RR spur at what is now the Monson Medical Center; and the Southern New England (Grand Trunk) just before Fay's bridge. Also the original plan for the Grand Trunk was to go through Monson, but the later changed to go through West Brimfield - any information on the original route would be helpful.

People - Town Families In particular, the Calkins, the Ellis (particularly the Ellis's pre-Monson, Connecticut & Wilbraham, connections and/or roots.)

People - Tributes Particularly 'Chick' Martin and 'Coach' Moriarty. Any pictures, stories, etc. If you have any suggestions concerning other notable people, your suggestions are welcome.

Lets make this a true community effort. I can be reached at Richard Anable (please place Monson Mills in the subject line or at (413) 267-3173 or on 42A State Street.

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