Dana, Massachusetts Explained

Official Name:Dana, Massachusetts
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Massachusetts
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Worcester
Established Title:Settled
Established Date:1676
Established Title2:Incorporated
Established Date2:February 18, 1801
Established Title3:Disincorporated
Established Date3:April 28, 1938
Population As Of:0
Settlement Type:Town
Timezone:Eastern
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:Eastern
Coordinates:42.4219°N -72.2275°W

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

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 68acres area encompassing the former town center has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

Other Quabbin towns

See also

External links

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NRHP nomination for Dana Common Historic and Archaeological District. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 2014-08-01.