Exploring the Park's past, I discovered the impression of an abandoned service road, leading me to the fifth site in my ongoing project to uncover the area's deserted homesteads. These historical sites have weathered the passage of time in diverse ways. Some have been reclaimed by nature, while others fell victim to demolition. The initial intention, rumored to be the establishment of campsites, never came to fruition. Today, more than five decades later, the artifacts of these forgotten homesteads continue their silent descent into the forest floor.
The latest discovery revealed a 25-foot square block foundation, shrouded in moss and concealed beneath layers of leaves and debris with an accompanying fieldstone fireplace. Adjacent to it lay the remnants of a child's bed – alongside scattered bottles and an antiquated electrical meter.
In my documentation efforts thus far, I've recorded details on five abandoned homesteads, each with its unique story. Among them are six fieldstone fireplaces, some of which defy association with any known home sites. The landscape also features extensive stone walls, numerous footings, and the lingering traces of utilities that once powered these long-forgotten abodes. These remnants serve as guides, leading the way to these hidden sites.
The evidence of this bygone community is scattered throughout the Park, gradually succumbing to the moss, the seasonal rhythm of falling leaves, and the relentless march of the forest. Each artifact, each structure, was the center of someone's life in the near past, now fading into time and nature.
© 2023 John Bulmer Media, John Bulmer Photography.
