June 1st National Trails Day Group hike on the Historic Knox Trail narrated by historian Tom Ragusa co-hosted by the National Park Service Springfield Armory was a 4.5 mile hike following the actual “ye trodden path” the soldiers followed bringing cannons and artillary to Boston.
Narrated by Mr. Tom Ragusa, local historian and retired DCR, he is an Otis resident and Knox Trail expert, who has spent 12 years mapping the part of the 300-mile trail through Otis and Sandisfield. Tom spent 42 years working for the Department of Conservation and Recreation before retiring.

During the winter of 1775-1776 General George Washington held the high ground around Boston while the British were firmly in control of the city. If Washington had artillery, he could dislodge the British and retake Boston. The nearest available artillery was at Fort Ticonderoga, which was under Continental Army control, in up-state New York.

General Henry Knox then was commissioned, in December 1775, by General Washington to secure these artillery pieces and transport them from New York, through Massachusetts, to Dorchester Heights outside Boston. To do this General Knox successfully crossed the Berkshire Mountains and several large rivers, in winter, with fifty-nine pieces of artillery. When the artillery arrived in Boston, in early March 1776, General Howe realized the hopelessness of his position and evacuated the city.

We visited historic sites along the route including: The West Gate, Webb cellar hole, 4th division line, Knox Trail CCC roadway, Cleft in Twain Boulder, Horse Paddock, 200+yr old Yellow Birch, The Gateway, Mysterious Stone Piles, The Monument of Stones, Many Cellar holes, Abiel’s Rock and more.

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