Causeway Crossroads at Ashley Reservoir

Causeway Crossroads at Ashley Reservoir

Causeway at Ashley Ponds

Four roads meet at this intersection of Ashley Ponds Reservoir (LOCATION). Formerly, the main road was called Rock Valley Road but now it is called Whitney Road. The causeway to the north separates Wright’s Pond into two parts and likewise with the causeway to the south which separates Ashley Pond. The northwest body of water is Wright’s Pond and the northwest body is Wright’s Cutoff. The southwest body of water is Ashley Pond and the southeast body is that of Ashley’s Cutoff. There are 11 named reservoirs in the Ashley Pond system and 3 more without names. The unnamed ones are on Charles’ Hill in your descent from the Elks Club.

In 1875 the land around Ashley and Wright Ponds was raised. Again in 1880 the land was raised again to make dikes. In 1880 also boundary stones were placed around both ponds. In 1896 the stone and wood wall that were around the reservoir system were taken down perhaps since the next year the causeway system would be put into place. At the crossroads that you are at now however cement walls were added. You can still see these below the surface of the water on the road to the east. In 1908 the road here was raised 18 inches and in later years the road was raised more. Now as you can see the concrete wall that was once at waist height is now very low.

Neighborhoods of Hatfield

Neighborhoods of Hatfield

Upper Main Street

Bradstreet Historic District – Main, Depot, and Old Farms Roads – River Road and then Bashin Road Tobacco Barns

North Hatfield Historic District – West Street near Depot Road – the Boston and Maine Railroad Depot is 166 Depot Road and is from 1850 – North Hatfield Elementary School – 312 West Street from 1871

West Hatfield Historic District – West Street near Church Avenue – has the West Hatfield Congregational Chapel

Mill – Prospect Street Historic District – Chestnut, Bridge, and Prospect Streets – agricultural

Hatfield Center Historic District – Main and Elm Streets and Sunset Avenue – numerous organizations

Elm Street Historic District – one feature is the Oliver Partridge House at 15 Elm Street from 1740 – the Graves and Lowell Mansion at 18 Elm from 1874 – Roswell Hubbard House at 24 Elm from 1820 – Henry Porter House at 26 Elm from 1760

Old Mill Site Historic District – Shattuck Gun Factory – part of the Mill and Prospect Street Historic District