Summertime hiking at it’s best at the Granville Gorge!  Northeast Granville was home to a small close-knit community of farmers and business owners who worked hard on their land.  In the 1890’s the rapidly growing Town of Westfield was in the throes of the industrial revolution and they needed water.  They came to Northeast Granville and liked what they saw. 

In 1894 they sought the authority to begin taking the land by eminent domain and it was granted therefore sealing the fate of Northeast Granville and everyone who lived there.  On April 1, 1898 the land takings began.  The West Water Works worked swiftly to demolish homes and other structures, clearing the way for pipelines and reservoirs.  (Granville Historical Commission)  There were over 100 people owning over 200 head of stock living on 1,836 acres of land.  In 1898 Henry and Artemese Winchell lost 8.7 acres which became Winchell Reservoir.  Our July group hike began on the banks of the Granville Gorge where we crossed Munn Brook and entered the are where the water works built a fourteen inch water line on an old colonial road that was most likely used by Henry. Along the way we crossed massive stone culverts and viewed the now defunct Winchell Reservoir and made our way through the now forested old apple orchards of a cider mill.  Climbing Drake Mountain for the highest point of this area was a very steep, yet short climb passing the Granville/Southwick Boundary Stone and out to the grand overlook atop Drake.

  This four mile loop on unmarked old roads and cart paths took us back in time when this community was thriving.  In total the Westfield Water Works paid just $25,428.48 (roughly $13.85 per acre) for the homes, businesses and lifetimes of memories of the people of Northeast Granville.  May we keep
Hilltown History alive in their memory.
SOLD OUT Granville Gorge Group Hike
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