Dana, Massachusetts

Dana was a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Dana was lost as a result of the formation of the Quabbin Reservoir.

Dana, Massachusetts
Town
Site of Dana Common
Coordinates: 42°25′19″N 72°13′39″W
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountyWorcester
Settled1676
IncorporatedFebruary 18, 1801
DisincorporatedApril 28, 1938
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)Eastern
DesignatedMarch 4, 2013
Reference no.13000052[1]

History

Formed from parts of Petersham, Greenwich, and Hardwick, it was incorporated in 1801. The town was named for Massachusetts statesman Francis Dana. The town was disincorporated on April 28, 1938, as part of the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir. Upon disincorporation, all of the town was returned to the adjacent town of Petersham. The majority of the land of the former town is still above water.

As with the nearby town of Prescott, after the disincorporation, houses were moved or razed, but cellar holes remained. The public is only allowed to visit the former town of Dana by foot, as the old narrow road is blocked off to cars. In the town center (which is still somewhat maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation), a stone marker has been installed, which reads: "SITE OF DANA COMMON 1801-1938 To all those who sacrificed their homes and way of life (Erected by Dana Reunion, 1996)". The common and a 68-acre (28 ha) area encompassing the former town center has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]

  • The stone marker mentioned above
  • One of the many cellar holes remaining in the former town
  • National Register of Historic Places marker
  • Old fence posts near Dana Common
  • Stone building foundation at Dana Common

Other Quabbin towns

See also

References
  • Tougias, Michael. Quabbin: A History And Explorer's Guide. Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts: On Cape Publications, 2002.)
  1. "Weekly list of actions taken on properties: 3/04/13 through 3/08/13". National Park Service. March 15, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  2. "NRHP nomination for Dana Common Historic and Archaeological District". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2014-08-01.
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