Chester Granite Saw and Polishing Works Tour
September 21, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Parking: Emery Street Chester at the Granite Saw Parking Lot across from the Ballfield
Directions: From junction of Rts 20 & 102 in Lee, take Rt. 20 east and drive 18 miles to the Chester center, turn left onto Main Street and bear right onto Prospect Street under the railroad and turn right to continue on Emery Street to the parking lot across from the ballfield. GPS 42.279570, -72.975155
Hike Rating: Easy 1 mile, mostly flat terrain on dirt
Join us for a special Housatonic Heritage event! The Hudson and Chester Granite Company was one of two granite finishing works in Chester for cutting and polishing the granite brought down to the Historic Factory Village on the Chester and Becket Railroad which was built for this purpose in 1896. “Chester Blue Granite” was brought down the steep mountain railroad from the Hudson and Chester quarry, known today as the Becket Quarry in Becket. The finishing works burned down after many prosperous years in business making monuments and gravestones and has been private property since, until now. In September of 2023 the Hilltown Hikers purchased this lot, including a ten-foot shot saw and all the remains of its buildings and equipment. Tour the property on our newly created walking path and learn about the Granite Industry in Chester and Becket. Donations for the conserved Chester Granite and Polishing Works property are greatly appreciated.
This is a Housatonic Heritage special event!
Housatonic Heritage Events 2025 Housatonic Heritage Walks – Housatonic Heritage
Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs allowed. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles!
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GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
