Mohawk Trail State Forest was created in 1921 when special legislation allowed the state to acquire land at a higher price than the usual $5 per acre. From the beginning, the recreational potential of the area was recognized. A motor campground between the highway and the Cold River was built in the early 1920s, one of the first such facilities in a state forest in Massachusetts.

Two CCC camps were established at Mohawk Trail. Camp SP-6 assigned to the development of recreational facilities, was a veterans camp with older enrollees than most other camps. The superintendent commented that they were not as quick as younger workers but often did a better job in the end. Camp S-87 (Company 1183) located on Black Brook Road, worked mostly on forestry and road projects.

Major recreational facilities at Mohawk Trail were concentrated along Route 2 in the northeastern portion of the forest. The existing campground berween the highway and the Cold River was expanded and improved by the CCC and new facilities were developed on the north side of the river. One of the major features was a 157-foot log crib bridge across the river, designed by the superintendent to withstand the rapid flow of the river. It was much heralded when built, but it along with several small crib dams built by the CCC was washed out in the flooding which followed the 1938 hurricane and was later replaced with a steel truss bridge capable of a longer span. Camp SP-6 built a log administration building on the north side of the river and an extensive campground as well as four cabins for rental use. These buildings were published in Albert Good’s 1938 Park and Recreation Structures as examples embodying the principles of CCC design and construction. Both CCC camps at Mohawk Trail were closed in 1937. Camp SP-21 from Savoy finished several uncompleted projects and constructed ski facilities including a slalom course.

Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
#hikethehilltownhistory
#hikethehilltowns with the #westernmasshilltownhikers  #discoverthehilltowns  #hilltownhistory  #flashhike  #intheberkshires #nature #adventure #history #hiking #outdooradventures #visittheberkshires #mylocalMA #visitma #hilltownhikers #westernmass #hikingwithdogs
Visit our blog for all of our adventures! want to come along on these hikes? Become a member at www.hilltownhikers.com
Help conserve the Chester Granite Saw, our newest property! https://www.pledge.to/help-conserve-the-chester-granite-saw
Text HILLTOWNHIKERS to 707070 to donate.
www.hilltownhikers.com
You can mail your tax-deductible donation to Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, PO Box 3, Chester, MA  01011
Venmo @hilltownhikers
Stay informed – join our mailing list https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/5O0RYN5/hilltownhikeremail