Hall and McLaughlin’s History of Westford Program Series

Westford Town historians Geoff Hall and Rich McLaughlin combine their knowledge and research in a series of extraordinary video presentations.

In 1859, the beautiful recreational area around Nabnassett Lake was originally named “Woodward Grove.” In 1874, it was wonderfully rebranded as “Nabnasset Grove.” Fast forward to 1933: Ernest Schlusemeyer from Lake Shore Realty developed a vibrant summer community that included a country club, an inviting inn, a summer theater, and delightful camp lots for sale.

Discover the history of this area with Geoff Hall and Rich McLaughlin in this insightful presentation on the
History of Nabnasset Grove in Westford, MA.

North Westford is often mentioned in the Westford Wardsman in connection with meetings held at the District  No. 9  Wright/Lyons School, as well as in reference to specific homes. It is the rural neighborhood in the northwest corner of Westford lying east of Tyngsboro Rd along either side of Groton Rd and very rich in history.

More Hall and McLaughlin History of Westford Programs…

(Part one) Oak Hill Quarries Isaac Carkin was the first man to open the ledge on Oak Hill.” The quarrying began there in about 1826. Later, Major Jesse Colburn, and after him, George W. Merrill worked in this same area. (Hodgman: History of Westford MA p. 246)

(Part Two) The company in Snake Meadow was Benjamin F. Palmer (Ca. 1818-1889) in 1847, according to the National Register of Historic Places. By 1881, Palmer owned over 80 acres of the hill, leading to the hill’s colloquial name of “Palmer’s Hill.” Samuel Fletcher, David Reed, and William Reed also ran quarries on the hill by 1906.

Did you know that Nabnasset was a summer resort destination starting in the 1860s? How about Nabnasset having two major league Baseball players in the 1920s and 1930s? Have you ever heard of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show train wreck at Nabnasset? Listen to Geoff Hall recount these stories and more in an always entertaining talk on the history of the Nabnasset village of Westford.

Town historian, Geoff Hall, brings his knowledge of Westford to the Villages at Stone Ridge on February 6, 2019, with a special slide show presentation. Along with researcher, Richard McLaughlin, Geoff shares the highlights of Westford’s history from the earliest known inhabitants of the town to the present-day population growth.