Skiing in Anniversary Field (Holyoke)
Beginning in 1937 the top of the hill was developed into a ski area. In 1938 skiing officially commenced on the slope of Anniversary Hill. This would become known as Ski Run. This was the first city owned ski run in Western Massachusetts. The smaller slopes on the northerly side were used by younger people.
A downhill run of from 1000 feet to 400 yards was possible from the top of Anniversary Hill Park to the bottom in the Bowling Green area of Anniversary Field. Easthampton Road was off to the side until the mid-1960s so it was a clear run. The ski lift was a old car’s axle that had a chain running around it and then had a long rope attached to that. In 1940 during construction of the ski run, an observation platform was added at the top of the hill. It was 100 feet long and 35 feet deep and was of stone construction. A 1952 statement in the city register states that activity is declining at the ski slope but that small slopes on the north face of the hill were being used by youngsters for sledding and skiing.
At some point of time between 1915 and 1946 the Dwight Street Extension was put in.
Dillon Avenue is to the right of the ski run in the image.
