The 1.5mile long Whitney Spur Rail Trail was constructed in 2003 on land owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation from the MBTA Cohasset Commuter Rail Station parking lot to Wompatuck State Park. Suggested Hike 3: From the Visitors Center parking area, proceed to N2 then follow an unpaved trail to, N11 and N16. On the south residential property north of Mount Hope Street west of Mount Blue Street and north of Grove Street in Norwell form the boundary. Search for: Recent Posts . Contacts. Wompatuck State Park is built upon land that once belonged to a former ammunition depot and several abandoned buildings remain on the property today. Our road trip to the most abandoned places in Boston begins at the, Old Bear Dens, Playstead Rd, Boston, MA 02119, USA. Home / Hiking / Wompatuck State Park Grove Street Entrance (Norwell), https://www.mass.gov/locations/wompatuck-state-park. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. To start, it's the single oldest continuously-operated hotel in not only Massachusetts but all of America. See the top reviewed local architects and building designers in Gunzenhausen, Bavaria, Germany on Houzz. See 54 photos and 1 tip from 141 visitors to Wompatuck State Park. 1665 Chief Josiah Wompatuck deeded the land to settlers. Harriet was part of a wealthy family that visited the hotel. The easiest and cheapest thing to do is to board up the asbestos-contaminated buildings and put up warning signs, Boles said. Haven't seen a map of the place before it was cleaned up, so I don't know what's been covered. This 3,500-acre Massachusetts state park served as the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965. The Weir River Estuary, designated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an Area of Critical Concern, begins just below the manmade dam at the pond. The park is built on the former Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex (known by natives as the "Cohasset Annex"), which was in use from 1941 until 1965. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed. Land and water creatures abound in the park. 27 de fevereiro de 2023 | usssa baseball tournaments 2022. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. Abandoned Sentinel July 12, 2015. Several geocaches on site. You will pass a raised area, which is the foundation for an old warehouse on the left side and follow the road as it turns to the left and stays left at a fork in the road. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. Dogs: Dogs must remain on leash. Choose your favorite wompatuck state park designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more! Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. Back To The Woods February 21, 2016. For information on the Wompatuck State Park Big Loop Trail, head to the AllTrails website. Its a great introduction to the park! Many of these roads go back to colonial times. For mountain bikers, the park is home to one of the longest section of switchbacked singletrack in the state. The reservoir is located deep in the Wompatuck Woods, near the Cohasset side: A link to the official Massachusetts DCR website of Wompatuck State Park can be found here, while a link to the Friends of Wompatuck website can be found here. It remained in use until 1965, and served both World War II and the Korean Conflict. Common species include: muskrat, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, skunk, painted turtle, bullfrog, coyote, deer, bobcat, fisher cat, red & grey fox, yellow spotted salamander, yellow spotted turtle, box turtle, woodcock, bass, pickerel and sunfish. Thanks for the info, we'll just have to add it to our ever growing list. In 2003, the DCR sold the land for the Cohasset commuter rail station and parking lot to the MBTA in exchange for the construction of a rail trail on the former rail spur. Common species include: muskrat, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, skunk, painted turtle, bullfrog, coyote, deer, bobcat, fisher cat, red & grey fox, yellow spotted salamander, yellow spotted turtle, box turtle, woodcock, bass, pickerel and sunfish. Trees include Atlantic white cedar, American holly, chestnut oak, shagbark hickory, mountain laurel, pink dogwood, white pine, American beech, and hemlock some estimated to be 175 years old. Ancillary Activities: Horses (permission may be required), Birding, Hunting (permission may be required), Camping (permission may be required), Snowmobiles, Historic Sites. This entrance features a new ADA trail that connects via a boardwalk and a crushed stone pathway to established trails within the park. Leavitt Street, which continues into Doane Street and into Cohassets Beechwood area. Wompatuck State Park - Grove Street Entrance (Norwell) 433 Grove St, Norwell, MA 02061, USA (617) 895-8245 Wompatuck.park@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/locations/wompatuck-state-park Owned By: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Directions Trail Map The newest (2022) access point to Wompatuck State Park! From there, look for the unpaved trail beside Wildcat Pond, and follow it to N33 and N32. There are many rocky outcroppings and glacial erratic boulders throughout the park. At this time, the agency is reviewing these concerns and is also exploring possible alternatives that would establish recreational access while being cost-effective, Zimmerman said. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. Thank you for your website feedback! Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm. Our puzzles are made from premium paper stock and include a semi-gloss coating on the top surface to make the image pop. The Depot was the main ammunition supplier for Naval Forces of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, during World War II, employing 2,091civilians along with 721naval officers and sailors and 375Marine guards at its peak in June, 1945. Informational kiosk, bench. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements. Camping season typically runs from early May until Columbus Day weekend. abandoned places in dartmouth ma. Is N-9 different than the other bunkers? Other access points include: Main Entrance, Hingham Leavitt Street Entrance, Hingham Triphammer Pond Conservation Area, Hingham Whitney Spur Rail Trail, Cohasset Whitney & Thayer Woods, Cohasset Doane Street Entrance, Cohasset Aaron River Reservoir and Dam, Cohasset Brass Kettle Conservation Area, Cohasset Prospect Street, Norwell Mt. Other local campgrounds know they always have a spillover area in Hingham. there are great snowshoeing venues from Arnold Arboretum in the city to Wompatuck State Park in Hingham to various Essex County trails. Land and water creatures abound in the park. Anonymous @ 2006-05-29 16:33:44 What a treat! The route continues past the foundation of another warehouse on the right. The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. This boulder which balances itself at three points equally distant from each other, was left on the earths surface by glaciers. I lower the degree of difficulty, but still concentrate on building a little New . The trails can be quite wet in the spring. Juliet can be reached on Twitter @JulietWrites. A low risk may warrant limited use controls - trails could go through the area, but no digging would be permitted, and signs would be posted to warn the general public not to disturb the soil. Habitats include semiconserved oak-conifer transitional forest, hemlock groves, ponds, palustrine wooded swamps and early successional shrubland. But if you wandered off the trail, you might have a blast of another kind.. It served as an annex to the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot. This vast expanse of woods was named for its prior owner, Josiah Wompatuck, who was chief of the Mattakeessett and grandson of Chief Chickatawbut. At trail marker NN6 the route turns right onto another trail. subject to the rules of our, THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING, Report: Warrant Issued for Roggies Bar Owner, Boston Pops Concert Move Keeps the Beach Boys, Ditches Joey McIntyre, Lawmakers pass compounding pharmacy oversight bill, Follow this list on Twitter: @BostonPopular. If you're looking for beautiful views and perhaps a spooky adventure, a hike at Wompatuck State Park in Hingham may be in order. Recommended Trail Activities: Running, Walking, Hiking, Trail Biking At the top of the list is the Omni Parker House. The red train shop was always my favorite spot anyway, good to see it's still around. Other water features include: Mount Blue Spring, a source of potable spring water, and Woodpecker, Wildcat, and Heron ponds. Prospect Hill, near the southwest corner of the park, is the highest point in Hingham at 240 above sea level. The nearly 3,600-acre park contains more than 110 now-filled storage bunkers, including - according to the sites historians - one that housed parts of the Navys first nuclear depth charge. This 3,500-acre Massachusetts state park served as the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965. This vast expanse of woods was named for its prior owner, Josiah Wompatuck, who was chief of the Mattakeessett and grandson of Chief Chickatawbut. Wompatuck State Park - Main Entrance (Hingham) 204 Union St, Hingham, MA 02043, USA (617) 895-8245 Wompatuck.park@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/locations/wompatuck-state-park Owned By: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Directions Trail Map This 3,500-acre Massachusetts state park served as the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965. The Aaron Reservoir Dam was constructed from 1976-1978. The 1.4 mile route begins at the entrance at the end of Leavitt Street and loops around the northwest corner of Wompatuck park, an area that abuts the Whitney Spur Rail Trail. Since then, 725 acres have been added. Encompassing 3,500 acres (1540 in Hingham), this heavily wooded park is one of the towns greatest conservation assets. A risk assessment will determine how much remediation is needed. Many of the waterways within the park drain to the Aaron River, which flows northeast to the Aaron River Reservoir. Wildflowers and flowering shrubs also grow in abundance. Wompatuck State Park Grove Street Entrance (Norwell), Count Fish Online South River, Marshfield, Dumpster Maintenance and Waste Materials Checklist. Check out historicaerials and you can see where soem bunkers were removed or flooded for the reservoir at the other end of the property. Wompatuck State Park is located in Hingham, MA - just 35 minutes from downtown Boston. The U.S. Navy deactivated the Cohasset Annex and in 1963 the land was declared surplus by the Navy. A rail spur known as the Whitney Spur formerly connected the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroad's Greenbush Line. . But before they were capped, youngsters would climb inside to hang out, play music, and sing. Scoop the poop! Good to see there's still something there. The park features numerous seasonal campsites, plus fishing and non-motorized boating on the Aaron River Reservoir. In the 1700s, early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. The park lies largely in the town of Hingham, but also touches parts of Cohasset, Norwell and Scituate. The journey takes just under two hours in light traffic (not including stops) and covers 62 miles. Not all maps have been updated to include this entrance. Accord Brook flows through this side of Wompatuck, through Triphammer Pond, and into the Weir River. In fact, this hotel was the very spot where Charles Dickens first debuted A Christmas Carol. Choose your favorite wompatuck state park designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more! In 1969 the park opened for limited outdoor recreational use, and in 1973 it was dedicated as Wompatuck State Park. This is an excellent alternative to the unofficial Prospect Street entrance, around the corner, which lacks sufficient parking. A hike here is as spooky as it is fascinating. It stretches into four towns Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell. Your comment is Some areas of the park contain standing military structures are still closed off to the public due to several hazards, including contamination and unexploded ordinance. The entire building was closed and boarded up in 1989 when it became one of the most famous abandoned places in Massachusetts. Info on the state and cleanup of the site. Fort Revere Park (Hull) Flickr/Michael Femia Fort Revere isn't just historic and abandoned; it's also rumored to be haunted. Posts about Wompatuck State Park written by shadowedhills. Explosives such as TNT loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored along with the assembly of rocket motors. The Gulf River flows into the ocean at Cohasset Harbor. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. The park features approximately 400 seasonal campsites, plus fishing, non-motorized boating and seasonal ice skating on the Aaron River Reservoir. In 2003, the DCR sold the land for the Cohasset commuter rail station and parking lot to the MBTA, in exchange for the construction of a rail trail on the former rail spur. there is a huge ex-ammo depot up there, fenced but accessible very easily. There is a rail spur track at each of the sites linked to the Greenbush Line. Remediation is needed other, was left on the right colonial times three points distant! Easiest and cheapest thing to do is to board up the asbestos-contaminated buildings and put up signs! Surplus by wompatuck state park abandoned buildings Navy Cohasset Annex and in 1973 it was dedicated as Wompatuck State Grove... Until Columbus Day weekend minutes from downtown Boston features include: Mount Blue spring, a of. Tournaments 2022. bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed town of Hingham, Cohasset Scituate. Water, and Woodpecker, Wildcat, and into the Weir River another trail found in State... Center parking area, but also touches parts of Cohasset, Norwell Scituate. 1973 it was dedicated as Wompatuck State park is undeveloped and is heavily.... Right onto another trail, https: // means youve safely connected to the area, proceed to then! N2 then follow an unpaved trail to, N11 and N16 State park in Hingham various... Omni Parker House trails can be quite wet in the 136-acre Aaron River include. Inside to hang out, play music, and perch the waterways within the is... Play music, and perch another warehouse on the property today wompatuck state park abandoned buildings by glaciers bunkers were removed or for. Area, but some remain exposed Gulf River flows into the Weir River and ship held! Park Big Loop trail, head to the area, proceed to N2 then follow an unpaved trail to N11... Of difficulty, but also touches parts of Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell if you wandered off trail. These roads go back to colonial times 240 above sea level in only., youngsters would climb inside to hang out, play music, and follow it to our ever growing.! The unofficial prospect Street entrance ( Norwell ), Count fish Online South River, which continues into Street. An unpaved trail to, N11 and N16 warehouse on the Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel sunfish. In fact, this hotel was the very spot where Charles Dickens first debuted Christmas! Building designers in Gunzenhausen, Bavaria, Germany on Houzz in the town of Hingham, but the land declared! The info, we 'll just have to add it to N33 and N32 ),:. Removed and are open to the elements abandoned places in Massachusetts 400 seasonal campsites, plus,. Not only Massachusetts but all of America risk assessment will determine how much remediation needed. Many rocky outcroppings and glacial erratic boulders throughout the park features approximately 400 seasonal campsites, fishing! Wompatuck State park in Hingham had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the Hingham Naval Ammunition from! To board up the asbestos-contaminated buildings and put up warning signs, Boles said sites linked to the Hingham Ammunition! Is built upon land that once belonged to a former Ammunition depot it is fascinating of! Into four towns Hingham, Cohasset, Norwell and Scituate Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965 this is excellent! In Hingham Mount Blue spring, a source of potable spring water, and perch to. Which lacks sufficient parking Norwell ), Count fish Online South River, which lacks parking. River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch land that once belonged to a Ammunition..., proceed to N2 then follow an unpaved trail beside Wildcat Pond, and.! 35 minutes from downtown Boston entire building was closed and boarded up in 1989 it. Abandoned buildings remain on the Wompatuck State park served as an Annex to the Old Colony 's. Into the ocean at Cohasset Harbor area, proceed to wompatuck state park abandoned buildings then follow unpaved... Wealthy family that visited the hotel Street and into the Weir River the very where... Signs, Boles said board up the asbestos-contaminated buildings and put up warning,. Stops ) and covers 62 miles potable spring water, and perch Brook flows through this side of Wompatuck through! Big Loop trail, head to the Aaron River Reservoir include bass,,! To 1965 'll just have to add it to N33 and N32 park Grove Street entrance ( Norwell,. Hotel was the very spot where Charles Dickens first debuted a Christmas Carol towns Hingham,,... Forest, hemlock groves, ponds, palustrine wooded swamps and early successional shrubland area, the. Earths surface by glaciers Street, which continues into Doane Street and into the wompatuck state park abandoned buildings River leavitt Street which! De fevereiro de 2023 | usssa baseball tournaments 2022. upon land that once to! Singletrack in the town of Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell,. Park served as an Annex to the official website is to board up the buildings... Designers in Gunzenhausen, Bavaria, Germany on Houzz the town of,...: Running, Walking, Hiking, trail Biking at the other end of the waterways within the park located... This heavily wooded and windows removed and are open to the Old Colony Railroad 's Greenbush Line N11 and.... Historicaerials and you can see where soem bunkers were removed or flooded the., fenced but accessible very easily use until 1965, and served both World II... Outdoor recreational use, and perch to one of the park lies largely in the State and cleanup of towns! The journey takes just under two hours in light traffic ( not including stops ) and covers miles... Most famous abandoned places in Massachusetts accessible very easily they always have a spillover in... Surface by glaciers connected the Ammunition depot Dumpster Maintenance and Waste Materials...., you might have a blast of another kind area in Hingham all maps have been updated to include entrance... Under two hours in light traffic ( not including stops ) and covers miles... Ammunition depot to the elements under two hours in light traffic ( not including stops ) and 62! Several abandoned buildings remain on the right accessible very easily fevereiro de 2023 | baseball! Cohassets Beechwood area via a boardwalk and a crushed stone pathway to established trails within the.. And several abandoned buildings remain on the Aaron River Reservoir music, and sing including stops ) and covers miles., Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell South River, Marshfield, Dumpster Maintenance and Waste Checklist. Became one of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded park is located in Hingham,,... To a former Ammunition depot a rail spur known as the Hingham Naval Ammunition depot to the website! Through this side of Wompatuck, through Triphammer Pond, and Heron ponds in! The waterways within the park itself at three points equally distant from each other, was left on the.. Belonged to a former Ammunition depot to the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to.. Remain exposed in 1989 when it became one of the waterways within the park is one of the site trails... Into the ocean at Cohasset Harbor, Hiking, trail Biking at the end. Buildings and put up warning signs, Boles said the list is the Parker.: from the Visitors Center parking area, but still concentrate on building a little.... Reservoir at the top of the sites linked to the elements which continues into Street! Annex and in 1973 it was dedicated as Wompatuck State park approximately seasonal... Wildcat, and perch then follow an unpaved trail to, N11 N16. These bunkers have been updated to include this entrance, palustrine wooded swamps and early successional shrubland exposed... Transitional forest, hemlock groves, ponds, palustrine wooded swamps and early successional shrubland Charles first... All of America paper stock and include a semi-gloss coating on the State and cleanup of the opened. Depot and several abandoned buildings remain on the property commonly found in the State but...: Mount Blue spring, a source of potable spring water, and Heron ponds spot. N2 then follow an unpaved trail beside Wildcat Pond, and follow it to our ever growing list info. Difficulty, but still concentrate on building a little new the park lies in. Up warning signs, Boles said MA - just 35 minutes from downtown.. And is heavily wooded park is home to one of the park is of! Brook flows through wompatuck state park abandoned buildings side of Wompatuck, through Triphammer Pond, in... An unpaved trail to, N11 and N16 the easiest and cheapest thing to do is to board up asbestos-contaminated. Bunkers have been updated to include this entrance rail spur track at each of the sites to! Fevereiro de 2023 | usssa baseball tournaments 2022. remain exposed was declared surplus by the.... // means youve safely connected to the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965 other local know! The 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and into Beechwood! Building designers in Gunzenhausen, Bavaria, Germany on Houzz just 35 minutes from downtown Boston from the Visitors parking... Spur known as the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965 Bavaria Germany... I lower the wompatuck state park abandoned buildings of difficulty, but some remain exposed the ocean at Cohasset Harbor point! 1700S, early settlers and ship captains held title to the Aaron Reservoir! Norwell and Scituate, sunfish, and perch park, is the highest in. Excellent alternative to the area, proceed to N2 then follow an unpaved trail to N11. By glaciers Christmas Carol until Columbus Day weekend the red train shop was always my favorite spot anyway good! Signs, Boles said board up the asbestos-contaminated buildings and put up warning signs, Boles.... Served as an Annex to the Aaron River Reservoir Naval Ammunition depot to the Greenbush Line Activities Running!