Colorful rainbow trout caught on a Rapala floating minnow
At the turn of the 19th century the Stillwater River was impounded creating the Wachusett Reservoir and supplying the City of Boston with drinking water.
Dam site, 1899
Dam site, 2018
Bodies from the Roman Catholic Cemetery were moved to another cemetery before the valley was flooded. A small section, Cemetery Island, remains above water.
Roman Catholic Cemetery excavation, 1900
The last remaining structure at the Wachusett Reservoir is the First Baptist Church, also known as the Old Stone Church.
First Baptist Church, 1897
First Baptist Church, 2018
First Baptist Church interior, circa 1900
First Baptist Church interior, 2018
People and their homes had to be relocated, leaving behind only foundations. The George Keyes residence is an example.
George Keyes house, 1896
George Keyes homestead, 1896
George Keyes barn cellar hole, 2018
The area of the reservoir called the Cellar Holes is the site of the underwater Charles Love home cellar hole that fish hold in.
Charles Love property, 1896