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Walking Massachusetts

West from Lowell via Route 110

October 6, 1997

7 hours

This walk began at the Gallagher Intermodal Transportation Terminal in Lowell.  I first reached this point in the relatively early days of my walking career, starting in Arlington and following Route 3 and then Route 3A north. I have since ended and begun various walks here, the Lowell line on the MBTA commuter rail providing frequent service.

Arriving a minute or so later the scheduled 7:17 AM arrival at Lowell Station, I crossed over the tracks via the staircase, which leads one through the parking garage to the entrance. Making a precautionary stop at the men’s room on the first floor, I exited the station, noting a long line at the Dunkin Donuts inside it

Heading down the apparently unnamed street that leads to the station, with the garage now to my left, I observed on the other side the rather familiar large mill buildings now housing the Thorndike Factory Outlet, Comfort Furniture, and other businesses.  At Thorndike Street (Route 3A), I turned left (north), to reach the “new territory start” of the walk at Route 110.

There will be a future walk West from Lowell via 3A. This will perhaps also complete all Massachusetts segments 3A.  I had thought that on my walk Bourne that I missed a small stretch of 3A but need further research to determine if still another will be needed for that purpose.

The garage and offices of the Lowell Regional Transportation Authority were on my left; across on the other side was South Common. It was pleasant weather – sunny and cool.

Southbound traffic on 3A was very heavy. I noticed an LRTA shuttle bus en route to Gallagher; this route used to connect Lowell rail and bus transport but since this time Gallagher has become intermodal. Up a landscaped hill to my left was an old LRTA trolley (or, perhaps, a trolley of some previous Lowell transportation organization, the authority presumably being formed in the post-trolley era, though I can’t find the year when on the Internet), a colorful historical symbol and advertisement. (Lowell National Historic Park has a vintage trolley system, but these cars are not like the one on display here.)

Now I went left (west) on Chelmsford Street, Route 110. Actually, I remembered, I had done a slight stretch of this route (I am not sure how far west from here) on another walk ending in Lowell, but this point could be considered the “official start” of the walk, among whose purposes was to make Route 110 connected on my walks from Lawrence to Bolton.

On November 5, 1997 my walk Merrimac, Amesbury, Salisbury followed Route 110 from Lawrence to its eastern end in Salisbury.  The walk from Bolton to its western terminus in West Boylston does not yet have a projected year of completion, but it is probably very far off. (Actually, the reverse route may be to be more feasible as the Worcester Regional Transportation Authority services West Boylston. I have previously passed through this area on a walk from Worcester to North Leominster via Route 12, which collected West Boylston and Sterling. The junction of these routes and Route 140 is at a very scenic spot on the Wachusett Reservoir.)

Route 110 would never be designed a scenic highway, at least along the course I followed this day. I found heavy traffic on it all the way, with many trucks.

I passed over a railroad bridge. To the left I saw an Amtrak train, wondering why it was there, as I knew of no Amtrak route passing this way. The highway was now lined with commercial enterprises.

To the right I saw Culligan Water Conditioning (at 39 Chelmsford).  Past it was Westford Street, the “official beginning” of the future walk cited before, though I saw no signage indicating it was Route 3A, as the maps show.

I passed a sign for Richards for City Council. (This was Peter Richards, a winner.  According to a post on Living Lowell, he ran on a platform of “the neighborhoods”.) On my right was Standard Automotive Parts. (Although maintaining a faint Internet presence as at 55 Chelmsford, that now seems to be the location of a 7-Eleven.)  This was followed by Speedy Mufflers at Howard Street, at which I noticed an LRTA bus stop. After this came High-Line Motors, a user car dealer.

On the left I went by a Commonwealth of Massachusetts office (for what I did not see and cannot figure out from the Internet). There was a field here, a large plant, and a parking lot. I observed on the other side, where I was walking, a notice that Price Baking, Inc. had moved one block to become Price’s and Silva’s. (I found a trace of the latter on the Internet but it has disappeared; perhaps this business is now Charo’s Bakery?)

Further on the right was Jordan’s Soft Serve, after which came Jason Variety. Further on that side was Grand Street, running uphill; on this I saw multi-family homes and a vacant lot. Next came G & F Kitchen, with a Bud Light sign; its hours were advertised as 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

I saw another council candidate sign, this one for Dan Leahy. Now I reached a triple intersection, with Ware Street (going north) and Shelton Street (going west). This was marked as Flanagan Square. So I had collected my first new locality, I thought, wondering what the name for this section of Lowell is. (According to Wikipedia, the answer is Lower Highlands.)

Across, I observed the Phnom Penh Supermarket. (As I knew from previous visits, including one with Cathy on which we went through the Lowell canals, Lowell has a large Cambodian community.) On my side I passed a building for sale and then a Sunoco station, in which Lowell Automatic Transmission was also operating.

On the right I noted a patch of rocks. I went by Elston Plumbing and Heating on my side and then crossed Cambridge Street. Looking at the other side again, I saw Winchester Sound, offering car stereo and security, and Delta Realty Associates.

Next, across Cambridge, came Tire Warehouse (a New Hampshire-based concern with a facility here at 236 Chelmsford). On the other side I saw an undeveloped hillside; a man was walking down it on a dirt path.

The road curved right. On the left I saw a small park; there appeared to be housing behind it (across Hale Street, it would appear). Commercial properties could be seen ahead.

I passed Casa Nova, a deli and luncheonette, on my side and then the Gaelic Club. (Lowell also has a strong Irish heritage, and I have noted many Irish pubs there.) Following this were John Capen Insurance, Rex’s Hair Design, and other businesses. To the right I saw the Lowell Vacuum Company and, across Temple Street, Queens Pizza, where a group of kids were congregated, perhaps waiting for a school bus.

On my side I noticed Affordable Mufflers and Exhaust. Ahead I saw a school (Lincoln Elementary, as the maps show), with Chelmsford turning left. There was a Getty station on the right.

A LRTA inbound went by as I went by a (school?) ball field on the left. On the other side was Hutchinson Street; a house there had a sign for Alex Huertas for City Council (an unsuccessful candidate, as I learned years later). Further on that side was Shaw Street; on its left I saw a factory and on its right houses. Next on that side I observed at 325 a factory building with L. R. Cote (an office supplies firm) and Merchants Rent-a-Car (on Lincoln Street).

Further on the right I saw another factory building, set back on the road, identified as Middlesex Paper Tube Company. Manufacturing is fast disappearing in Massachusetts, but this one seemed to be in business. (And indeed year later it can be - just barely - found on the Internet, one listing reporting it as also Mid-West Enterprises, Inc., and one citing it as making tubes for rockets.)

Crossing Short Street on my side, I found a Gulf Station, with Chelmsford Street Motors.  On the right I noticed Nottingham Street.

At 368 on the left I passed an apartment building that had just been sold by Dick Lepine Real Estate. (Lowell assessing records show this transaction, dated October 17, 1997, as made by Inner City Investments, Inc., to D & N Realty trust, for  $106,000. After two more changes in ownership, it now belongs to 366 Chelmsford Trust and its 2006 valuation was $365,500. It was buildt in 1900 and has four units, with street numbers 364, 366, 368 and 370, on three floors.) Then I saw a vacant lot. On the other side of Chelmsford were homes with political signs:  Joe Mendonca for School Committee, Carol McCarthy for City Council, and Bob Hovey for City Council. (These three all lost, but Mendonca won later, leaving the School Committee in 2005 for an unsuccessful run for City Council.)

I went by a Burger King and then Stansfield Tire Center. On the right was the uphill Waite Street, with dense residential properties.

Now on my side came a brick mini-mall (at 426) with the Chinese restaurant Golden House, Honan Insurance Company, Vientiane Grocery and Video (more properly, perhaps, Vientiane Market), and Atlantic Liquor – more reflections of Lowell’s diverse cultures. Then there was a Wendy’s.

Across I saw a sign for Rita Mercier for City Council (the number one vote getter that year, she went on to become mayor) on a building at A Street, another residential thoroughfare. On my side I passed C A P Auto Parts (or so I read - more fully, Consumer Auto Parts, at 456 Chelmsford), Midas Mufflers, and other businesses.

Across I noticed an Elton van pulling out of Parker Street, presumably returning to the home base I had passed earlier.  Also on that side were Wah Sang, offering Szechwan and Cantonese cuisine, followed by a Store 24, and a Pizza Hut.

On my side I went by Mark’s Auto Sales, followed by Jimmy’s Pizza Too (excellent web site, guys!). Like many pizzerias, the latter was hedging its bets by also having seafood. On the right I observed a Dunkin Donuts.

A leftward turn of the road could be seen ahead. Now on my side was observed a building with Welch Brothers Plumbing and Heating, All Star Collectibles, and others. Past this was Plain Street, down which I saw a Walgreens.

On the right was Powell Street, followed by the former Lee School, dating to 1896 and now containing the Lowell School Department Alternative School Program. As I crossed Plain Street, a Route 110 sign seemed to be on it, which confused me, but I checked my map and correctly kept my course on Chelmsford.

On the right, I saw a home for sale at 517 on the corner. (But no sale is recorded in the Lowell records until 2004 – and that was for one dollar. Built in 1890, this single family has nine rooms and had a FY 2006 valuation of $255,400.)  An outward bound LRTA bus went by, and I noted the brick Chelmsford Street Baptist Church on the left and a small one-story brick building with J. Arthur Poitras, a shoe dealer, on the right.

At 528 was a residential building with signs for Mike Hayden for School Committee and Joseph Downes for City Council, followed by Quimby Avenue. Now both sides contained houses. Another outbound bus went by.

I saw at 558, a residential building that also contained the office of Lowell Central Electric Company; a garage and perhaps other commercial endeavors were in the back. I noted Crescent Street on the right.

On my side I crossed Avenue B. Here was a brick public housing complex, typically ugly, I thought.  An LRTA sign was observed at Inland Street to the right.

Looking again to my left, I learned from a sign on a brick administrative building that the development contained the Agnes Davis Community Center and saw that the grand opening of the Spin ’n Tumble Laundromat had been made. Here too was a sign for what I take George W. Flanagan “Square” (taken as a locality designation, though actually the project is the George W. Flanagan Village. Across, I noted Midland Street, as I bore left with Chelmsford.

I passed the dead end Maitland Avenue. Now there were commercial properties on the left and homes on the right. On the right I saw Forrest Street, on the far corner of which was Lowell Quick Mart, an old-fashioned variety store.

I saw a home at 624. Then on the left came a small mall with Superwash Laundromat, the Lowell Firefighters Credit Union, and Salon De Varas. On the other side I noticed two two-family buildings at Jenness Street, which was followed by Lorry’s Bar-B-Q (also offering ice cream and other food).

I crossed Doane Street on the left. Here there was another LRTA sign; by now it seemed as if there was one of these on every block.

Both sides were residential here. An inbound bus went by. On the left I observed Newell Street and then on the right Norcross Street, both having LRTA bus stops. On my side, at 694, I saw a building marked Underwood. For some reason, I thought it might be a funeral home (but it turns out to be a sales concern dealing in “electromechanical, optical and electronic products).

At 700 I observed the Robert J. Carneale Law Offices; a sign touted Kevin McDermott for School Committee.  On the other side I saw a small building, possibly once a store, that was for sale.

A small, newer building (more seemed to be behind it) numbered 710 contained the Ames Textile Company. Across on the right I saw homes. Then on my side was an abandoned home, with a shed, that nonetheless had a McHugh for School Committee sign. (I assume this was Kevin McHugh, still a member in 2006.)

I passed Wellman Street (a short dead end) on my left; I saw a sign for Debbie’s Hair Salon down it. (This appears as Debbie's Beauty Salon, 34 Wellman, on the Internet.) Chelmsford Street then made a sharp curve to the right. Then came Connector Park, an office complex; spaces were advertised by Cushman and Wakefield as immediately available. (The name refers to the Lowell Connector, running parallel to Route 110 just to the east here and linking down Lowell to Routes I-495 and 3. Its address appears both as 41 Wellman and as 790-800 Chelmsford, presumably because it has two buildings; the park itself it should not be confused with landlord Connector Park Llc, located at 134 Middle Street, as some Internet sources do.)

On the right was Upham Street. To the left I went by Eltech Electronics, Inc., in a large building, which had a prosperous look. I saw houses on the right. At 781, on the corner of Victoria Street, was a white home with red trim, advertising Mercier for Council and Elliott for Council. (Nonincumbent Rodney Elliott won that year and was reelected in 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005.)

The left side of Chelmsford was now industrial/commercial, with more Eltech and other properties. (This is in fact Lowell Industrial Park.) I saw an intersection ahead. To the right, marked as an LRTA stop, was Albert Street - the companion of Victoria, I supposed.

Now on the left I went by a gated road, leading to the industrial park. Further on the right was a nice looking old white multi-family home, numbered 824-826. At 836 were the offices of Ciulla, Dixon, and Dale, accountants. Then came a 99 Restaurant and Pub, proclaiming "We Are the Best Deal in Town". I crossed Industrial Avenue on the left, with Stevens Road, with another LRTA stop, opposite. Here an Elliott for Council sign holder was waving at cars.

Next, on the left, I observed the very huge CrossPoint building, ignorantly supposing it might be an apartment complex. In front was Caddell and Byers Insurance Agency, Inc. (or, perhaps Hilb, Rogal, and Hobbs, listed on the Internet with the same address and phone number), followed by a parking garage.

CrossPoint, with dual addresses of One Industrial Avenue and 900 Chelmsford Street, contains (I later learned from a 1997 issue of Banker &Tradesman) fifteen acres, with 1,216,000 square feet of building space. Built by Wang Laboratories for $55,000,000 in 1981 and then called Wang Towers, it is operated twenty-four hours a day and has an airport shuttle. The parking garage has 300 spaces, and there are 3700 more outdoors. The declining Wang moved out in 1994, and it was sold by Aetna Insurance for $525,000 to Insight Properties.

In what Banker & Tradesman called possibly "the commercial estate deal of the decade," CrossPoint was sold by Insight in 1998 for $10,000,000 to Yale Properties USA, the American affiliate of a Canadian real estate company. The sale was brokered by Fallon, Hines and O'Connor (which in 2006 became part of Trammell Crow). The June 11-17, 1999 issue of that publication reported CrossPoint to be the tenth largest business park in this area, as ranked by building space; this source identified Chase Manhattan Bank, Bell Atlantic, and Eastman Kodak as its three largest tenants.

Wellesley Avenue, a residential street, was observed on the right. A highway was now clearly visible ahead; I was not using my map and wrongly thought it was the Lowell Connector (but would soon realize it was Route 3). By now it was obvious, if only from the huge parking lot, that CrossPoint was commercial rather than residential. I thought this huge gray concrete structure was quite unattractive (though of course real estate speculators would have felt differently).

I saw Baltimore Avenue on the right. There was a LRTA stop here and a small brick building that I supposed was a power substation. On the left I noted that CrossPoint was 900 Chelmsford Street.

I crossed power lines. Music Mall was seen to my right in a blue building that looked residential. (This is 963 Chelmsford.) On the left was a Mobil station with an On the Run convenience store. 

Curving right, I now went under Route 3, entering Chelmsford without yet knowing it and seeing commercial properties ahead. (The locality here is Westlands.) An anonymous white cab went by in the in-town direction. I had now been walking one hour.

Chelmsford was settled in 1635 and incorporated in 1655. It is named after the town of that name in England. The 1984 Encyclopedia of New England says its “industry today includes wood processing, production of carbonated beverages and granite quarrying”. The second of these, I was to learn from researching this, walk has vanished. The third is still in existence and will be seen when I do a future walk Route 40. The first presumably is extinct.

As I continued along the (two thirds) cloverleaf (Interchange 31 - the Middlesex Canal went through here and is shown just to the northeast on the USGS map). I observed some foliage on both sides of the road (still Chelmsford Street, with different numbering) - the first I had seen this season. I saw Mrs. Nelson's Candy House in a red wood building with white trim. A sign then indicated the Eastgate Plaza (with address 296 Chelmsford), in which I noted T. J. Maxx, Market Basket, Fashion Bug, and other stores.

On the left a saw a Bank Boston ATM and then a building that looked like a closed supermarket but was now a Cinema. Further on that side was Glen Avenue (two brick apartment buildings being visible on its right side), followed by a Gulf station. On the other side was a property (apparently part of the Plaza) with Anton’s Launders and Cleaners and Hair Designs for Guys and Girls (possibly superseded by One Ten Nail and Hair Studio).

I passed to the left a house that for sale, but with a sign reading "Zoned for Business". This was at Watt Terrace, a (short dead-end) private way. At 289, on that side, came Colangelo Insurance Agency in a large yellow building with gray trim. There were homes on the right.

Next on my left I saw a new commercial building. There were signs for roofing and gutter contractors, with another noting that Family Bank (a subsidiary of TD Banknorth) did the financing. On the opposite side I observed Evergreen Street.

Ahead was an intersection and a large shopping plaza, which proved to be the Chelmsford Mall. It had a Bradlees, MVP Sports (an apparently now defunct company), and others. This told me that I had indeed reached a second municipality, and observation of a Chelmsford Police car provided confirmation.

An intersection (with Dalton Road) on the right contained a war memorial, a sign noting Town of Chelmsford traffic laws, a notice that the Rotary meets on Mondays at 12:15 in the Radisson Heritage Hotel, a cannon, a tombstone-like marker "in memory of those who served in the Armed Forces, and a sign for the Westlands Improvement Association.

Passing the mall entrance on the left, I followed a leftward curve into a residential area. In retrospect that I has crossed the town boundary seemed obvious, Chelmsford residential real estate being evidently more modern and costlier than Lowell's. To the right I saw, at 254-256, a relatively attractive 2-family, with black shutters and trim and a very nice lawn and shrubs.

It occurred to me that I not seen any Route 110 signage for some time. On the left was passed Melissa's Creative Cuts, for men, women, and children, at 245, a two-story white building, with gray trim, followed by a parking lot with a two-door detached garage behind. (This seems to have moved to 1 Smith Street.)

At 239 came Belanger and Company, at the corner of Court House Lane, a private way. (These are CPA's, I learned from the Internet, which gives their address as at 6 Court House). To the right, in front of 230, a one-story home, was an LRTA sign. The houses here looked attractive.

I next went by Seneca Avenue, on the opposite side. On my side was Far Horizon Travel in a two-story residential-looking building, then the Westlands Package Store at Manahan Street. A Frito Lay truck was parked here. The Zeus Building was at 227; this new wood building had offices for lawyers, dentists, and others.

Sunset Avenue was seen on the right. On my side, at 221, came a new office building, with six businesses. Space was advertised by Talbot Development, and the Talbot Insurance Agency and Talbot Environmental offices were there. I saw more houses, through trees, across the street.

Milestone Condominiums, an ugly brick-front building with a good lawn and shrubs, was at 215. I noted Sylvan Avenue on the right. A sign with a tooth symbol, at an attractive old home, advertised the family dentistry practice of Robert Dion, 211 Chelmsford.

I passed the Shampoo Hair and Day Spa at 207; this abutted the dead-end Maple Street. Subway Avenue was seen on the other side.

At 205, a yellow home, a man was working on the front walk. Then came new yellow building with Korde law offices (now evidently at 321 Billerica Road) and other tenants, followed by Chelmsford Crossings, a new assisted living center. Across, I noticed a former parking area, now just a vacant space, with trees in the background. Past this was the Chelmsford Discovery Center (identified by the Internet as part of the Knowledge Learning Corporation, at 194 Chelmsford); some kids were in front of this.

The road curved left and then right, and I could see the junction with I-495 (Interchange 34) ahead. On the left I passed a home with a detached garage. Further on that side was 24-hour Shell station with a food mart. I stopped here to get a strawberry milk and, with the aid of my map, helped a woman find the way to Route 2. "I should get one of those things," she said. I finished my drink, spilling some on the rather rudimentary curb here, and resumed the walk. My speed was rather lower than usual, I realized, but I did not feel under any time pressure.

I went by a Best Western motel on the left. This had a Ground Round advertising breakfast from 6:00 AM, but it was too early to eat and, besides, I had just made a stop. The right side of Chelmsford continued to be residential. I followed a S-curve toward I-495. It was still cool, but the sun was out and I (correctly) figured that it would warm up.

Stedman Street, an LRTA bus stop, was seen to the right. On the left I passed Minuteman Realty, a Century 21 affiliate, at Golden Cove Road (the name refers to Golden Cove Brook), which is opposite Steadman.

Now at the I-495 half-cloverleaf, I again saw foliage. (Though superhighways are a nuisance for my walking, they do provide vegetation and occasional vistas.) I went under the highway, seeing commercial properties ahead and finally noting a Route 110 sign. (These did become more frequent later.)

To the right I noticed All Time Hairstyles. (This name seems to have been a misnomer, as it appears to be no longer in business; at least I can’t trace on the Internet.) Then came the entrance (Independence Drive, actually) to a Radisson Hotel. I just could barely see that building, but it looked quite large.

On the other side I passed a three-story brick building containing Carlson Real Estate (at 111 Chelmsford). Then came Emerson Avenue, at which were signs for pumpkins and propane. (The latter can be traced to County Energy Products, at 8 Emerson, a propane business that would not seem to be also in the pumpkin trade.) Next was a Dunkin Donuts.

Across I saw Skip’s Ice Cream in a quaint yellow and brown building with a bottle top. This was followed by Skip’s Restaurant, in a large brick building.

Alas for those with architectural tastes like that of Zippy, it appears that Skip’s Ice Cream is no more.  On April 29, 2006, I did a regional walk, beginning in Lowell and ending in Woburn, with the special purpose of taking a picture here. It was a hot day and I had been looking forward to an ice cream at Skip’s! I was shocked to see that the bottle building was no loner there. (Interestingly in this connection, a notice by American Commercial Real Estate Company in the November 27 – December 3, 1998 issue of New England Real Estate Journal offered 1.8 acres of land “lease/build to suit” on the east side of Skip’s Restaurant.)

I followed a right curve, going somewhat uphill. On the left, at 101, was the Massachusetts Electric Chelmsford #9 substation. On the other side I noticed Settles Glass. Passing a small vacant lot on my left, I went by a Mobil station (at 96 and named Chelmsford Mobil). Now on the right was seen Parlmont Plaza, noting Jimmy’s Pizza (without remembering that I had seen their other place earlier) and other stores.

The Plaza is at Alpine Lane. On that 2006 walk, I noticed a sign there for “Chip’s Electric Café” and, somewhat fancifully wondering if Chip’s Ice Cream had metamorphosed into a coffee shop, went down Alpine in quest. At the end of the mall, I saw that Café was no longer in business. Turning, around, however, I saw Sweetest Memories, on the other side at 10 Alpine. I had a very good coffee ice cream soda at this ice cream and candy store, which I definitely recommend.

On the left was a mini-mall, which had a space for rent, Highlights Salon, 1 Hour Photo Depot, Little Ticket Agency (the third word being quite faded), and Alternative Optical.  The other side contained vacant commercial land. (I saw a new Walgreen just past here in 2006 and it appeared that this area was becoming even more commercial.) Then there was the Town Meeting Restaurant and Lounge.

Next on the left I saw, at 85, at odd building of brick and wood, presumably once a home but now Mr. John’s Unisex Salon (which appears now to be Maria’s Salon Chameleon – a “changing” name?). Further on that side was Volunteer Field, with baseball diamonds and signs that I could not read but looked like street signs. On the corner of Fletcher Street on the right there was a Sunoco station; past this (actually on 4 Fletcher) was Electronic Associates, Inc.

Seeing a church spire ahead, I supposed (correctly) that I was coming to Chelmsford Center. On the right I observed the Hovey Building, with Town Shoe Repair and other businesses. Looking back left, I saw a school behind the ball fields. (This is shown on my Universal Atlas as Center Elementary.)

To my left was the (David) L’Hussier office at 63, offering insurance, accounting and tax services. On the opposite side I observed a large mall-like building (1 Village Square) with New England Chiropractic and Rehabilitation, Bagel Alley, and apparently others that I could not detect. After this came another mini-mall that had Chelmsford Creamery, featuring ice cream and yogurt, and so on.

On my side, I crossed the entrance to the school, at yet another baseball field. Then came Wilson Street, with a sign “Elderly Development Ahead”. That made me think, since there was no sign for the school, that it had been converted to housing – an incorrect theory.

On the right was a brick building with a sign “Colonial Village”. This contained a huge laundromat.  A building on the left contained Feeney Florist, LeBlanc Chiropractic, and the James L. Cooney Insurance Agency.

Next on the left was a large CVS. On the other side I saw a building that had Lambert Glass, the coffee shop Café Aroma, Photos Etc., and Domino’s Pizza. Back on the left I observed a large Papa Gino’s.

A Citgo station on the right also housed Bill and Andy’s Bicycles. (Searching the Internet in 2006, I don’t find either of these but Chelmsford Cyclery appears to be at this location.) Further on that side, at 24, in a very old gray building with white trim, was the office of Peter Markham, a real estate agent, auctioneer, and notary public. Next on the right I saw DeWolfe Real Estate; this was in an attractive old red building with white shutters.

On the left, at 21, I noticed an old house with a barn. Ahead I observed a downhill view. The brick Sweetser Building was on the right; it contained NAPA Auto Parts, Express Sign (this appears to have moved), and Excel Dry Cleaning (do they spread their sheets?).

I passed on my left a fairly good looking four-family, two-story home that had a concrete porch with columns.  The Muldoon Insurance Agency was seen on the other side (at 8) in a yellow residential-looking building with bluish gray shutters. On my side was the Old Landmark home, dated circa 1765, now Landmark Realty (a Century 21 affiliate). This very attractive two-story colonial abutted Billerica Road, with the end of Route 129.

I was now in Central Square, the center of Chelmsford Center, so to speak, with the junctions of Routes 4, 27, 110, and 129.  I bore right, leaving Chelmsford Road, with 110, I think on Bartlett Street (the maps, both Internet and paper, being very confusing at the point) and going slightly uphill.

On the corner at my right I saw the law offices of Dean and McHugh (only the latter could be found on the Internet in 2006), as well as that of attorney Brian Cullen, in an attractive old gray building. A large black sign bore the presumably unofficial name “Eriksen’s Corner”.

Various commercial properties were on the left, and I noted a church ahead. A large gray hotel-like building on the left, three and half stories tall, with black shutters and five chimneys, had various businesses on the first floor and the upper stories seems to be residential. Then to the right I saw a sign “61 Central Square”.

I now went bearing left with 110 onto Littleton Road. The church I had seen, which was on my right, proved to be the First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist.

On left was a building with still another street name, “One Cushing Place”. This had various businesses and was followed by a Texaco station. I followed a left curve, going uphill. There was a cemetery on my right.

I passed a new brick plaza with a Bertucci’s in it on the left, seeing a clock tower and then a sign “Ginger Ale Plaza”.  I thought that was a rather silly name, not being aware that it referred to the Chelmsford Spring Company, later the Chelmsford Ginger Ale Company and still later acquired by Canada Dry. (Wikipedia says that the ginger ale plant, presumably here, was demolished in 1994. Factories disappearing and malls appearing pretty much sums up recent Massachusetts industrial history.)

Learning that the cemetery was Forefathers Burying Ground, dating to 1655, I observed residential properties ahead. Crossing to the left side of Littleton at Bertucci’s, I then quickly went back to the right, there being a sidewalk only at that side now.

There were now older houses on both sides of Littleton. At 41, on the right, was a gray home with white shutters and a large barn behind. I was now at the two hour mark.

An LRTA inbound bus went by on the left. I passed, on my side at 65 a good looking two and a half story white house, with black shutters and a large annexed garage. At 81 was a small, pretty yellow one and a half story, with green shutters; then, at 85, a gray home with white trim and a porch.

Now came woods on the left, with houses continuing right. J. E. Harrington and Sons were doing asphalt paving at one of these. I seemed to remember seeing that name on a previous walk, vaguely thinking that might have been when I did U.S. 1 north to Newburyport.

After passing 115, a white cape with black shutters, the sidewalk ended and I thus went back to the left side. Both sides became wooded. I went uphill, curving right and taking a 1952 bridge over what I later learned from my Arrow Atlas was Beaver Brook, a new place name for me, though I have encountered other streams with that name.

I saw an old white two-story house with black trim at 140. I then made a left curve. On the right was a newer home for sale.  I saw two chipmunks cross the road.

In front of 144, a ranch home up a hill, was a rock outcrop. I saw woods on the right again. There was foliage ahead. “This I more like it,” I thought, some natural scenery being welcome after all these residential and commercial passages.

Going by a field on my left, I then went over another 1952 bridge (crossing the same Beaver Brook, though I did not know that then), having a nice view on that side. On the other side was a dirt turnoff with a sign “Welcome to Lime Quarry Reservation” (maintained by the Chelmsford Conservation Commission). I crossed over so that I could add that place name to my collection.

For such localities, the street presumably is the boundary; so I have not “been to” them if I went by on the other side. With aquatic geographical features and summits, just seeing them again is not enough, though the proximity needed to be “in” them is somewhat more vague.

I decided to make a comfort stop here and followed marked trails into the woods. The remains of the quarry could be seen.  As I went back to the street, I still felt cool, though the sun was raising the temperature.

Woods continued on both sides, but I could see residences ahead. At 175 on the right was “Glenbrook,” both a street (not on the maps) and a development with rather ugly cluster homes (opened in 1993). I quickly returned my glance to the woods on the left, preferring that that sight, despite its being marred by the presence of litter.

Ahead I could see the route going up, then down, then back up and to the right. There were there the remains of an old stone wall on the left and an intact stone wall on the right. At 181, up a hill, were the Woodcrest Condominiums; after that came Enterprise Bank and Trust Company. (Other Internet sources show this further south, but the Enterprise web site gives an address of 185 Littleton.)

There were still woods on the left, as well as another field. On the right I saw the entrance to the Fox Hill Condominiums. Then on the left I passed what seemed to be a “mini” tree farm and a small cultivated field; there were various “farm/garden” buildings.

The Hunt Square office complex was at 197. This had four unattractive gray buildings: the Chinese Baptist Church of Greater Lowell, the Chelmsford Public Charter School (opened in 1996 and now called Murdock Middle School), Bethel Christian Church, and Bethel Christian Academy.  Now I crossed Hunt Road.

My Arrow map seemed to locate Byam Corner here, though this place name is not recognized by GNIS nor on most maps and possibly denotes some other corner. Perhaps Hunt Square is modern, alternative, or sub-locality name. Byam is the name of a nearby road and a school, both honoring an early resident; the Barrett-Byam Homestead, at 40 Bayam Road, now houses the Chelmsford Historical Society. )

On the corner, down the street to the left, was a former farmhouse, with a detached garage behind it. Following a right curve, I noted at 215 a rather nice 2-story gray home with white trim. It had a spruce and other trees. (I am very poor at arboreal identification.)

There now were some commercial properties on the right, including Hairs to You All II. After some undeveloped left on the right came newer homes. The Banqueter, with the Red Bull Lounge, was passed on the right; it was in a brick building and advertised Keno.

I went uphill, noticing at 229 on my right a quaint gray one-story home; across on the other side was “roadside commercial (B) zone land,” offered for sale. Then on that side, at 250, came a one story white house, with brown shutters and a carport, on a long lot with lots of trees, suggesting that a farm had once been here.

On the right, at 235, was Discount Auto Court, with a two-story “motel” building, with units numbered A-1 to A-12. “Unique Balloons” were offered at 254 on the left, a newer gray two and a half story building with black shutters. To the other side, after a patch of vacant land, I saw a brick building with the One Ten Restaurant and Highland Farms Market and Package Store.

Although I was not particularly hungry, I decided to stop for a bite here, as I felt I had plenty of time. The restaurant proved to be quite small, with six tables (four people were occupying three of these). There was no sit-down counter for eating, just a sub-shop-type one against the wall. Sandwiches were on sale for the amazing price of 69 cents – no, that was just an old sign below the counter (the real sign was up top), and it also listed extra cheese on one’s pizza for 9 cents, a basket of clams for $1.59, and French fries in 19-cent and 39-cent servings.

From the real menu I ordered at the counter one scrambled egg and sausages, at $4.25. It proved to be a lot more to eat than I would have thought for one egg, with three sausages and good home fries, in which I could barely make a dent. While eating, I realized that there was a waitress; she was talking with Charlie at an adjacent table about Christmas shopping (which seemed rather early for me). So I left a dollar tip on departing, calling Cathy from a Wittelco phone outside that was so old that the numbers on it were illegible.

Proceeding west again on Route 110 I observed trailers at Chelmsford Mobile Home Park on the left, supposing it to be a rival of Discount. Then on the right came Chelmsford Auto Court. This had units C-1 to C-21, suggesting that all three of these trailer home centers were actually under the same ownership, a supposition seemingly supported by the large office building of both Discount Realty and Chelmsford Auto Court on the right hand side here.

An inbound LRTA bus went by. Oak Street was passed on the right; this short dead-end street had J. D.’s Auto Repair. Ahead, the road went down and then up, with trees visible on both sides.

On the left mobile homes were still seen (the maps show some Chelmsford Mobile Home Park side streets here – the other side seems no longer to serve this use), while on the right was an old stone wall, behind which I thought I saw more trailers. At 285 on the right was the office of Middlesex Bituminous Products. (Apparently other substances have replaced coal here in the form of Aggregate Industries, a firm that has indeed been “aggregating” other concrete and asphalt companies). This was followed by Countryside Veterinary Hospital.

Now on the right I saw a “factory”-like structure that I assumed was for coal storage or processing. The left side was now vacant, with wetlands followed by a field with the remnants of an old stone wall.

A variety of commercial properties were passed on the right. At 297 was A & B Auto Body. Then came A-1 Auto Body, followed at 299 by Precision Machinists Company, which was seeking CNC machinists and operators.

Across I saw a brown and red “Chelmsford” sign; that seemed odd, the border with Westford being some distance ahead.  On the right was the former Aqueduct Pools; the building, offered for sale by Thomas Doyle, abutted Kidder Road. On the left (at 300) was a large Elks building (since burned), advertising bingo on Monday at 7:00 PM, with free coffee. It had a big parking lot.

A factory building with the Assurance Technology Corporation was on the right. On my side, at 360, I saw cluster houses at the “Courtyard” (a condominium). I noted a very dead raccoon; the flesh was gone from its carcass.

Across at 313 was a large two-story brick and stone building with Colonial Oven Baking and other businesses. Then at 315 was a modern two-story building housing ABS.  Completing this passage of commercial property was the large Children’s World Learning Center, at 317.

Now, beginning at 364, there were houses on the left side. On the right I observed what look like overgrown farmland, followed an old two story white home, with a porch, at 361. At Chamberlain Road on the same side was a large modern two-story gray home, with a brick front and an attached garage.

I was now (I see from Rand McNally) at the locus of Ward Corner. At the far side of Garrison Road, on my left was a sign for the Chamberlain Garrison House, circa 1691 (Arrow shows the “Garrison House” here at Beaver Brook).

Ahead, I saw an “Entering Westford” on the right side, as a followed Route 110’s leftward curve and note some foliage. A grey home was at 372, opposite Tadmuck Road on the right (which becomes Una Road in Westford). Then there were houses on both sides.

In his History of Westford, published in 1883 (a typically dreary example of this genre, being mostly compilations from documents), Rev. Edwin Hodgman notes that Tadmuck was a native American name for a local river and hill. GNIS has Tadmuck Brook and Tadmuck Swamp as place names. The latter is the source of the former. Tadmuck Meadow, a variant name for the swamp according to GNIS, is shown on 1730 map of Westford in Hodgman’s book that is very hard to correlate with present day maps.  I was to pass this (or perhaps its former “site,” neither meadow nor swamp having been seen) shortly ahead on the north side of 110

Hodgman notes that Westford was originally the west precinct of Chelmsford. Settlement got a boost here in 1663 when Chelmsford laid out a road to Groton (presumably now Route 40). Westford was incorporated as a town in 1729.

A change in the pavement marked my crossing of the Westford line. On the right I saw a sign “3 Littleton Road” (so another case of same street name, different numbering) at a relatively nice looking two-story modern office building in grey wood. On the left I passed the Westford Racquet and Fitness Club; there were many parked cars here.

A yellow stone sign “7 Littleton Road” was at TES, Inc., electrical contractors. I went curving left, seeing more foliage ahead. A sign told me that the Rotary meets at the Westford Regency Inn on Thursdays at 12:15 PM; I wondered why the quarter hour start time was selected.

Now there was wooded land left and right, this having the foliage I had noted. Ahead, the route went uphill, with still more arboreal color. I passed an open gate with a “No Trespassing” sign on my left. Continuing through woods on both side, I notice a leaf fall and recalled a well-known poem by e e cummings.

On the right I then saw junked automobiles behind a fence.  At 35, a white one-story residential-looking building, a very faded sign read “Tadmuck Auto Parts”. The fence continued on that side, with the left remaining woods.  Then there were foliated woods on both sides. It was sunny and warmer now. I went gradually uphill and slowly bore left, seeing an intersection ahead. I had now gone more than three hours.

A large building was under construction on the right-hand side, and there appeared to be homes behind it. I noted a trailer and sign from Westford-based Construction Resources, Inc. (whose offices I would pass by later), offering 17,000 square feet for lease in this forthcoming office and professional building.

Further on the right was another commercial building, with brick sides and three stories tall. On the left I saw a mini-mall with Nashoba Pizza and Seafood and other businesses.

I crossed Tadmuck Road, seeing land for sale advertised on the other side. Further on the left, at 68, I noted the R. E. Thompson Trailer Service, seemingly a home-operated business in a white story building. There were indeed many trailers here. (But perhaps not now, as I don’t find this business listing nor see them on the Internet satellite view.)

A huge set of power lines parallel the road on the left and I could see them crossing it ahead, just past some kind of building still in construction. There was a blank sign at this, and a little further was another sign for Duane D. Levy, Inc., builder.

I went uphill. Down the power lines to the right a factory-type building could seen amid trees. I passed St. Mary’s Drive on my left and then Nashoba Valley Technical High School. There were trees on the right, with more seen ahead and what seemed to be a hill.

At 101 on the right was a small tan one-story home with red trim. Then came some cleared land, with apparent indications of construction. (Commercial buildings are apparent their now on the Internet satellite maps.) I again noted the building among the trees and power lines.

I now saw a crumbling stone wall on the left and trees. There was a new asphalt sidewalk on the right, but I stayed on the left, generally disdaining back and forth street crossings as taking up too much time. Ahead the road curved right and went down.

I observed a brick building that I guessed was an electrical substation on the left side. On the other side appeared Westford Technology Park, just one “R & D” type building being visible.

Noting a wood fence on the left and being curious, I climbed up a hillside to see what was behind, but found only a vacant lot oddly walled in. I reached the corner of South Chelmsford Road, where a sign told one that First Baptist Church was two miles south.

A slow right curve followed, with the left hand side undeveloped and the Technology Park continuing on the opposite side.  Then on the right a sign told I was passing the “New Home of the Floral Arts”. This was an old two-story colonial-type home, with white trim; there were flowers and shrubs by it.

Further on the right came a new commercial building still in construction, “R&D” looking, I thought. But a sign later told me that it was the future home of the Emerson Hospital Health Center. I followed a S-shaped curve of 110, going right, then left.

Ahead and right I saw two red buildings with white trim, one looking like barn. Indeed, the left side of road was clearly former farmland. It was getting still warmer, hot even, but there was a cool breeze. My hypotheses about the farmstead proved to be correct, but on reaching the buildings the proved to now be Westford Colonial Village, with antiques and specialty shops, at 127 Littleton.

On the left I went by the Goerke home at 142, a one and half story yellow building, with detached two-door garage that was once a barn. Then on that side came B & R Auto Parts.  Another farmhouse was passed on the right at 145. It was red with white trim, with an attached barn that still looked nice. The road then curved left.

Westford Valley Marketplace, a large shopping center, next appeared on the left. On the other side, I observed an Applebee’s and then, in a grey “antique” looking building, another of the world’s most obnoxious fast food chain. I remember the Boston Globe had a few years before carried a story on how Westford had successfully resisted having a Wal-Mart. At this pointed, I wondered why: it seemed as if it would fit right in. “Gone to the dogs,” was my impression of the town.

To be fair, other walks through Westford have shown it to have large areas untainted with commercial clutter. Evidently its plan is to have one “strip” of that along Route 110 and I-495.

In keeping with the degeneration theme, however, it may be that the plazas along here are on what used to be Tadmuck Meadow. The map in Hodgman’s history has this between Tadmuck Brook on the north and Pond Brook on the south.

I could discern more commercial property ahead. On the left side of 110 a Paterson Pickle Company truck was parked in front of Market Basket, the second of that supermarket chain, I noted, to be encountered on this walk. Beyond a short stretch of undeveloped land on the right came another mall, Westford Plaza, with a D’Angelo’s/Papa Gino’s among others.

Now I saw what I wrongly thought was the junction of Route 110 and 225 ahead, keeling that the Littleton border would be near that crossing. To the left I observed a CVS, Burger King, and other businesses in Westford Valley Marketplace II.

In another regional walk, made to take the next picture on this page, I stopped at a Starbucks in Marketplace II. I had come north from South Acton to the Route 225 junction and then went back south via Carlisle Street here, ending in Lincoln.

I passed an Exxon on the right. Encountering the Mile 28 marker, I forgot to write down the time, as I usually like to check my pace in that way. Perhaps that failure was due to the fact that I knew that I was going very slowly.

To the left was Bosco Automotive, a Gulf station. I then came to the junction with Carlisle Road to the south and Boston Road to the north. (The latter leads to the center of Westford.) Across on the left was a plaza with an Osco drug store in it; to the right was a Mobil station (Westford Mobil, actually).

Route 110 curved left, with a mini-mall on the right that had Westford Insurance (at 187 Littleton) and other businesses. On the other side was a parking lot in front of a building that suggested “technology” of some kind to me. Past that, at 190, was a small mall with a BankBoston, the Westford Podiatry Center, and so on. I vainly looked for a place to get a drink here.

Since I could see only undeveloped land ahead, I did something I rarely do and crossed the road and went back to the Mobil. I got a chocolate milk and used the very clean rest room inside the building, which I observed to be numbered 185 and to be the David Brown, a/k/a Westford, Mobil.

Returning to the intersection, I finally realized that sign said “To 225” not “225”.  I also now remembered doing that route on a walk west to Groton past Forge Pond and then south to Ayer. As I resume my westward course, it was now 11:30 AM. There was a cool breeze amid the hot sun.

Following a S-curve, I saw trees and mailboxes. Then houses were visible, at 196 on the left and 197 on the right. Massbank for Savings, another “second observed,” was on the right; a modern building, it had a drive-through.  On the other side was seen a large “rambling” office building, numbered 200, housing doctors and dentists.

Now there was woods on the right. Following a sharp left curve, I notice an entrance sign for Veryfine on the left. Ahead, the route was curving right. Some kind of building was visible through trees to the right.

At 219 on the right was observed an old former farmhouse with an attached barn. Now I could see that the building on that side that I just glimpsed was the Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center. This was of the pseudo-colonial style that I generally detest, but this was not a bad version.

I went by a field on the left and came to Westford Real Estate at 222 in a rather large brick building of one and a half stories.  On the other side was a former farm field with an old stone wall.

Another mini-mall was passed on the left. This was numbered 224 and contained MacKay’s Hardware and Metropolitan Deli and Catering, which I would later find to be about to move. (I noticed Celtic Isles, dealing in Scottish and Irish goods, there on the regional walk previous cited, but not on this one.)  On the right hand side a sign read “Outlook Ski Area Next Left”. (This is now or alternatively Nashoba Valley Ski Area, which I passed on the northbound course of the walk cited previously. It is on Nashoba Hill at the Littleton border.)

For a while there were wood and stone walls left and right. At 228 on the left was a former CVS presumably superseded by the one in Marketplace II. Next cane land offered for sale with the suggestion “office R &D”. (Which would seem not too accurate a description for Primrose Carwash, which I passed on that 2006 walk and now has the 228 address.) Here, too, but without knowing it, I evidently crossed Vine Brook.)

At 234 was Westford Commons, an office building with space for lease; its parking lot was quite crowded. Opposite at 235 was another office building made of brick and wood; this seemed to have been designed to look like a barn, with a “colonial” attachment. Regency Park, at 238 on the left, had Flextronics as a tenant and 2000 square feet for lease. On the other side, numbered 237, was a cape home with an attached garage.

Passing a wooden fence on my left, seemingly with woods behind it, I noted at its entrance, at 248, that this was Westford Swim and Tennis Club, seeing a green “residential” building with white trim and a concrete structure.  I had now passed the four hour mark. (I should have realized at this point that I was in some jeopardy of missing my train even in the seven hours I had calculated for this walk.)

A brick building at 254 contained Westford Custom Floors. On the right I saw an old white two-story home, with black shutter; a woman sunning herself on the porch on its right side. Park Drive on the left was what I took to the entrance to the Westford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (but actually is Park Drive) and Woodland Park, a huge commercial building.

Woodland Park was advertised as “available now” (and two leases already completed) for “office/R&D/light manufacturing” by none other than American Commercial Real Estate in the December 18 – December 24 New England Real Estate Journal. It was touted as having twenty-foot ceilings, ground level, loading docks, air conditioning and gas heat, and the amenities were said to include zero maintenance, separate utilities, trash removal, corporate environment, on site management (by Ryan Development), and thirty-day build out.

I went curving left, passing newly planted pine trees on the left. Then on that side came Olde Boston Square, a huge commercial complex, with dental, real estate and other offices (its address is 270 Littleton). On the right I notice Public Storage.

Crossing Power Road on the left (this is the turn cited before for the ski center), I saw Ye Beef N’Ale Restaurant (this has been succeeded by Belle’s Bistro) a little way down it and remembered a former Boston with that name - or was it Beef and Ale House?  The route made a right curve. On the other side, at 285, was Liberty Park, with “executive offices,” another “fake colonial” building. On my side I saw parking lot with C & L Air Limo vans in it.

Checking the map, I confirmed that I was nearing Littleton. Since it was not even noon, I felt well ahead of my time – a quite false conclusion. At 288 on the left I went by the Gateway Building, still another commercial building with doctors, dentists, and others.

I followed a right curve. It was still quite warm, but there was a somewhat offsetting cool breeze. I saw woods to the right.  Bob’s Auto Service (“Since 1967”) was on the left in a large garage. Next on that side I observed an auto sales business called New Car Currents.  A small home, numbered 295, was seen to the right. Now there was woods on the left. Ahead was an intersection with more commercial properties.

I thus came to the junction, with Concord Road on the left, of routes 110 and 225 joining each other for a while westward. I wrongly believed that I would be repeating this course later. (Actually, I had done it on the walk to Groton mentioned before. I was confusing that with a later walk, made on September 27, 2003, Northwest from West Concord, on which I followed routes 2A and 119 to Route 225, taking the latter route west into Shirley.) This area bears the name Parkerville.

On the right was Cedar Park, a strip mall with the Westford Post Office, Scolnick Insurance (now Appleby & Wyman), and other tenants. I followed a left curve, now seeing undeveloped land to the left. On the other side I noticed Westford Home Lighting, in a brick building.

The land on the left was pretty clearly formerly part of a farm. Seeing a new “pseudo-colonial” building on the other side, I supposed it was to become yet another office building. But I then detected a sign “Future Home of Metropolitan Deli and Catering,” which I passed earlier. They must be prospering, I thought. A former farmhouse, at 316 on the left, verified my conjecture. This was a two-story while building with blue shutters, rather rundown and perhaps unoccupied. On the right side R. J. Bradley’s Ski and Sport was having a 50 percent off sale.

Perhaps not by coincidence, I could now detect the ski slopes on Nashoba Hill in the background to the left. Ahead Route 110 curve right and then left, going downhill, with commercial buildings visible on the right. At 319 was one of these, a three-story brick office building.

Trees were seen to my left, with a large building behind. Across was a white building with four businesses. I crossed the dually signed Robbins Road/Technology Way on the left, seeing a sign for “Ascend”. Another sign reported that 278,000 square feet were under construction for Castle Communications Corporation by the Chiofaro Company. Then I saw a large commercial building with the notation “Certac”.

A Boston Globe “Emerging Business” story of November 18, 1998 cited Castle and Ascend as examples of new startup telecommunications companies that have been “heading straight to Westford”.  It noted this “quiet community” as having the advantages of “easy access to I-495, little traffic, low office rents, and a read-made work force.” The work force, it explained, was created by the former Cascade Communications Corporation, acquired by Ascend in 1997. Other “Westford area” towns mentioned as also home to such companies were Tewksbury, Chelmsford, Littleton, Boxborough, and Marlborough. But Westford was apparently the most desirable: one executive was quoted as saying, “When I told the first six engineers that I was thinking of starting the company in Burlington, they were all ready to quit, saying they wanted Westford.” How business things change: Ascend merged with Lucent in 1999, while Chiofaro filed for bankruptcy in 2004.

The road curved left and downhill. To the right was the (now defunct) Old Oaken Bucket, a restaurant and bar; I-495 was visible behind it. On the left I saw the empty parking lot of TDK, at 334 Littleton.

Route 225 then diverged north on the rather displaced northern segment of Concord Road (ending my repeat passage that I still thought it was a “pre-repeat”); an I-495 overpass was just ahead on it.  I went by Northern Auto Sales on my left. (I find Westford Auto Sales there now, and a reference to a Northern Auto Sales in Gardner traces only to Meineke Center at the given address.)

Now I saw, at the other end of the TDK building, a sign for Discom. Some cars were now visible in the parking lot. Ahead was a long downhill vista of Route 110.

There were woods on the left, as I noticed a building across with Phaze II Auto Body in the rear (but apparently elsewhere now) and Nashoba Valley Veterinary Hospital in front. Further on the right was the railroad-themed Cannonball Track, a miniature golf course; though quite compact, it nonetheless had eighteen holes. This was followed by Tiki, a Chinese and Polynesian restaurant, with stone lions, and then by a building containing Ledgeview Printing and Diversified Civil Engineering.

Elliott Road was passed to the right. On the corner across was a building with two firms, CETC Truck and Trailer Repair and Alpine Glass. On the other side an abandoned old farmhouse was for sale – or, rather, the property containing it was, as a sign by Jumpp Company (I had seen another by that firm earlier without making a note) advertised “industrial commercial land”.

Both sides of the road now were swampland. On the left trees were in the background; on the right, I-495. Such as this scenery was, it felt, compared to the all the commercial properties I had passed, like a veritable Grand Canyon.

I passed the mile 26 marker; though I had not been checking my times, it seemed to me that I was doing my “regulation” 3 miles per hour. Now on the right I noticed a very large grass field behind a fence; more grass could be seen ahead on the left, too. Despite a somewhat cooling breeze, it was quite warm and I was thirsty again.

Detecting golf flags on the left, I then saw some players. The course appeared to treeless, and I imagined it was not a comfortable day to be playing golf. Looking back to my left, I observed a “Geese Xing” sign; the association of geese with golf courses, I reflected, has been a commonplace of contemporary ecology.

I now came to Kimball Farm, containing Kimball Ice Cream, with various agricultural buildings. Times have changed in the remnants of Massachusetts agriculture: The “golf course” was apparently Kimball Pitch and Putt, and there was also Kimball Driving Range and Kimball Miniature Golf.

Ahead, Route 110’s uphill course could be seen curving right amid trees. To the right were woods behind a stone wall. On the other side, I then saw indications of coming development. Then on the right-hand side was a fenced field and the left vacant farmland, with a stone wall and some piles of stone. (Somewhere here, the maps show, I passed over Nashoba Brook.)

Following more vacant, wooded land, on the left, came a left curve, taking me to Wayside Auto, at 426 Littleton. The field on the right continued. At 434 was the Littleton Road Building; made of gray wood, it housed Winchester Electronics, Littleton-Westford Unisex Salon, Illumination Bookstore, and Mary Kay Training Center. Also here, evidently in a small detached “shack,” was Tom and Jerry’s Antiques. I saw an older two-story white home on the right, at 435. Now the left was wooded, with a crumbled stone wall. The road continued to curve left.

On the right came Acorn Village, a commercial property with Acorn Child Care Center, Westford Liquors, and other businesses. Ahead on that side an “Entering Littleton” side was visible. It was 12:30.

The dead-end Shea Street was passed on right. Despite Arrow’s indicating that this short road begins in Littleton, I concur with the Universal Atlas, which has it as the last street here in Westford.

Littleton was incorporated in 1714 as Nashoba, the name of a native American settlement here, one of the“Praying Indian” villages established by John Eliot. The process by which these native Americans were deprived of their land is described in John Hanson Mitchell’s book Trespassing: An Inquiry into the Private Ownership of Land and alluded to in the section on Littleton by Herbert Joseph Howard in the three volume History of Middlesex County, compiled by H. Hamilton Hurd and published in 1890 (another copiously dull example of this genre).

The name was changed to Littleton in 1715.  Howard says that this was believed to be in honor of George Lyttleton, M. P., a British Treasury Commissioner. Howard passed on a story that Lyttleton, to show his gratitude, sent a bell to the town. But whoever received it first in Massachusetts, determined that there was no town Lyttleton and so took and sold it. (A nice tale, but Lyttelton was only five years old in 1715.)

Route 110 was now King Street in the locality called Littleton Common. My first observation in this town was Acton Medical Associates, in a white building on the right. A signed past this proclaimed that Littleton is “A Public Power Community”.

Next on the right I saw the Yangtze River Restaurant of Littleton. On the left was an abandoned home, 7.83 acres of residential-zoned land being for sale. Further on that side came a two story home, at 585; it had an attached garage and a brick front on the first floor.

I went uphill, passing a brief stretch of undeveloped land on the left. On the other side was a large three-story Digital building; the property (vacated by Hewlett-Packard, as the successor Compaq, itself the successor, of Digital, as of 2006, according to a new story not longer on the Internet) continued for a long way. An intersection, which I knew to be the junction with Route 2A and 119, could be seen ahead. I passed a gray cape home at 573 on the left.

Down a street on the left (Farmstead Way) was Cataldo Nurseries.  On the right was seen the Littleton Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I saw that I was to ascend a crest, with the junction beyond that.

At 553 to the left came a large ranch home, with an attached two-door garage, on large lot, bounded by a modern stone wall. On the right I saw what I assumed by Digital workers returning from lunch. (Who would have known that in about a year Digital would no longer exist!)

I passed an attractive two and a half story gray house at 543; it had black shutters, nice shrubs, and a detached garage. The Digital land was ending to the right, trees and a field appearing.

On my left was Kingswood Commons, containing six businesses, at 531. Across, through the now open Digital property hills could be seen in the background.

The King’s Arms Café (now Ken’s American Café), in an annex to an old, rather impressive-looking two-story white colonial with black shutters, was passed on the left at 529. Further on that side was another CVS. I noted this as the second that I had seen on this walk, whereas in fact it was the third.

I crossed Meetinghouse Road (the CVS is actually on this) on the left; on the opposite side was a white residential-looking building with Anthony’s Hairstyles (this seems to have become American Beauty), Frederic Gallery, and other businesses. Further on that side was a Mobil station (the fifth I had seen that day).

Going by the Mile 29 marker, it was apparent that I was under my 3 mph pace. I was now at the junction (the locus of Littleton Common, according to DeLorme and USGS). I had forgotten my walk plan, but in any case felt I needed to check the map and determine a course that would enable me to catch my train but still allow me to go as far west as feasible. Accordingly, I set down on a bench – until a man came over to tell me that sprinklers were about to be turned on.

I remembered the commercial center in this area from the return stretch of a walk to Pepperell. Crossing Great Road, I was now on King Street, Route 2A here joining Route 110 and continuing with it into Ayer. From my pervious walk here, I recalled that there was store on other side with a pay phone; so I headed there and made a call to Cathy.

Seeing from a sign that Ayer was six miles further, I thought I might be able to get there. In any case, I decided to continue with Route 110 (which, it occurred to me afterwards, had been my intended course all along).

Reaching First Baptist Church at the corner of Goldsmith Street (I remembered what felt like a very long course south on it returning to Acton on a walk some years before), I crossed the street to go to a Cumberland Farms, where I got a milk. Now at the five hour total, I sat out front drinking this and reconsidering my plan. Reaching Ayer no longer seemed feasible and besides would involve repetition; hence I decided to continue west but then circle back to the Littleton MBTA station.

Continuing with 110, I noted at the corner a Stop sign to which “Genetic Engineering” had been added. This reminded me of the many such “Stop the Vietnam War” signs that had been created that way. I noticed a Shell station on the right (Littleton Shell, in fact, at 460 King).

At 459 on the left there was Hunter Appliance, in an annex to a quaint two and half story white home with a porch, perhaps once a farmhouse. Further on that side was the Littleton Post Office, with zip code 01460.

To the right I observed The Relocation Company, Inc. I crossed Jennifer Street on the left. On the other side I saw an old red two and half story red house, with white trim, now containing Ralston Real Estate (apparently now a Prudential agency) and other establishments.

I passed on old gray two and half story home, numbered 441, on my left. On the other side, at 438 was a white two and a half story building with black shutters and an attached barn that had Che Bella Hair Salon among its tenants. Looking back left, I observed at 435 “Littleton Common”; in this commercial property was Twice as Nice Bridal and other businesses. Across, at 432, was an attractive old white house of two and half stories, with black shutters and an attached garage.

Now on the right came the Old Burying Ground. Signage informed me that in contained the graves of Revolutionary War veterans and the town’s two earliest ministers and that it was the oldest municipal (as opposed to family) Littleton cemetery, dating to 1721.

The Lyttleton Inn, a nice old white two-story building, was seen to the left. At 422 on the right was an old house with a barn. Down a road on the left was Littleton Green, with apartments for rent and condominiums, bearing the number 421.

Bearing left, I observed 417 King Street, an old white two-story home with a stone porch. On right I encountered a marker and street island constituting Allen J. Harland Park. This had one bench and a World War I memorial with an honor roll whose names ran from Henry Anderson and Warren Yupp.

There were houses on both sides of the street, as I went slightly uphill, seeing a crest ahead. I crossed to the left side at Baldwin Hill Road.  Here I saw Nynex trucks and a building to the right of them that certain looked like it belonged to a phone company. Further on that side, at 377, was a good looking home of two and half stories, containing a porch.

At 373 was an old two and half story white residence, with black shutters and a porch. It had large attached barn turned garage. On the other side, at 369, was observed an attractive green home, also with a barn-garage.

Feeling the warm sun, I continued downhill. Nice old homes appeared left and right. Then on the right I saw in the background a school – no, I realized, it was the town offices. Here also, on Shattuck Street, was the Rueben Hoar Library.

On the left I went by the Badger Funeral Home (one of three owned by David Badger, the others being in Ayer and Groton), a two and half white building with black shutters and a porch. Curving right, I saw on that side the Nashoba Garage. Then on the left came a paddock; I noticed a barn, a stable, and three horses.

To the other side, at 336, was observed a large old home, probably once a farmhouse but now containing a dentist (Gruskowski Dental Associates). To the left I viewed former farmland, with foliage in the background.

The Congregational Church of Littleton was at 330 on the right. Rather typical and of white wood, I judged it fair architecture-wise. On the left at 333 I passed an old one and a half story gray home.

Then on the left came a brief stretch of undeveloped land, presumably once a farm field. To the right, past the church parking lot, was a view of trees and hills. I noted a nice older two-story home, with an annexed barn-garage at 325 on the left and, at 319, an old white two and half story house with an attached barn.

Bearing right with King Street, I saw down Foster Street to my left, on its left side, a church (First Church Unitarian) with a tall spire and a weather vane. A sign advertised the World Percussion Concert (held the day before), sponsored by the Littleton Light Department, at Fay Park (which is just down Foster).

Further on the left, I encountered a good looking stone structure, the Houghton Memorial Building, home to the Littleton Historical Society. On the other side, at 310, was the Tahattawan Masonic Lodge (the name, also that of a street in Littleton, commemorates a sachem who supported Christianity). At the corner of Rogers Street, on the left, was the Rose Fountain, with flower pots, a 1910 gift of Sara Elizabeth Whitcomb in honor of her parents; unfortunately, no water was available to refresh me.

Looking down the road, I saw trees left and right. I passed the Phelps House, dated 1774, an old white two-story building with a small porch on the left side.  On the right I noted an old white building that I presume was once a schoolhouse. Now I saw former farm fields on both sides.

The road curved left. At 280 on the right was the 1716 Tory House; this two story brown shingle building, with white trim, was for sale. On the other side came Upton House, no doubt once a farmer’s home (I thought – actually it was an apple barn), but now an antique dealer’s.  Here I saw a field that perhaps was actually being cultivated, as well as some agricultural-type structures.

I noticed, at 270 to the right a rather nice two-story white home, with gray shutter and a porch. Now, I-495, which in Littleton curves south into Boxboro, was visible ahead.

I saw an attractive two story yellow home with black shutters at 264 on the right; this abutted Russell Street. Further on that side was “acreage” for sale. On the left I went by a building containing the Littleton Light Department and the Littleton Water Department. I crossed (what I later found on the maps to be) Beaver Brook on an old stone bridge, dated to 1921.

Crossing Warren Street on my left, I saw a sign for Parlee Lumber and Box Company with the to me somewhat mysterious information “Bark Mulch 17.50”. On the other side I noticed an old white farmhouse; it had small white columns and stone lions at its entrance, and there was a big barn on its side.

The hot sun had really slowed me down; but as I went over I-495 I got a cool breeze. There were good views to the both sides; on the left hills were seen and on the right Murray Park Road, with homes, ahead. Coming to its intersection, the sidewalk I had been following on the right side ended; so I crossed to the left.

To the right I observed a beautiful large older home of two and half stories, up a hillside, with a stone porch. On the left, numbered 169, was a one-story white residence; behind this, uphill, was a large building, no doubt once a farm structure.

I saw on a right a cemetery (Westlawn, I would learn later – and even later that David Badger was chairman of the Littleton Cemetery Commission). On the left, I passed a white one-story house with black shutters at 163. Now there were newer homes on this side. At 147 came Pond Side, with luxury apartments in rather ugly cluster homes.

At the end of the cemetery on the right was New Estate Road. Past this, at 138, was a green one-story wood building with a sign “Ames Farm”. Pumpkins and mums were offered for sale.

I followed a leftward curve, finding homes on both sides. At 127 on the left was a very old dark brown two-story cape. Then at 123 came a gray, red trim, one and half story house.

I said hello to a woman with a child in a stroller. Now I saw woods and a hill on the right, with foliage. On my side, at 111, was an old farmhouse; across the street I could see through trees a house up the hill.

A gray cape was for sale at 107 on the left. On the other side I noticed Webber’s Florist in a former farmhouse, in a reddish brown color, with white trim and shutters. It had a greenhouse.

I crossed Mill Road on the left. (This street, now severed by I-495, leads to Mill Pond.) I saw a parking lot; this turned out to be for St. Anne’s Catholic Church, an average-looking stone edifice. Ahead, the road curved left, with wooded hills visible.

Both sides now were residential. There was a cool breeze. Now on the right I observed the Town of Littleton King Street Fields, for soccer. On the left I then saw a stone wall; behind it were seen plants that I was able to identify as corn. Then came a gray modern cape, with a detached garage, followed by more farm land, with a sign offering land for sale.

I passed a small old home at 41 and came to Kimball Street. Past was a large building, the new home of Indian Hill Arts (which is now Indian Hill Music and seemingly has moved to 43 – which would correspond to that cornfield).

The left side now became commercial. I passed the Littleton Animal Hospital; past this came a Sunoco and McLoughlin’s Automotive (actually these are the same business). Next was McLoughlin’s Convenience, where I stopped and got a small chocolate milk, drinking it in about one second. Sitting on the edge of the store on a flower bed, I checked the map and decided that I should turn back to the Littleton train station when I reached Taylor Street. I estimated that would take about half an hour, whereas I had over an hour left. I was now at the six hour mark.

Proceeding again, I proceeded again, passing Clyde’s Car Wash next on the left. However, instantly forgetting my new plan (which, I remembered afterward, was actually the original course I hade set), I then left King Street and followed 2A and 110 onto Ayer Road (whose name should have made me realize my mistake). This made a sharp right curve.

Ahead I now saw trees shading the road, a pleasant prospect.  There was wooded land left and right. A driveway leading to uphill was seen on the right. I saw a man on the left side of the road taking tree branches out of the woods and putting them into a car trailer.

Through trees to my left a plant could be seen; knowing that Veryfine is in Littleton, I wondered if that was it. Ahead was a right curve, with industrial properties on the left. (I had now filled my Mead Memo Pad and was using some loose sheets from another one to take notes.) Then on the left side was swampy land, with the right remaining wooded.

By now, I was wondering why I had not come to Taylor Street; in retrospect it seems remarkable that I still not discovered my error, much less that what was next to come did not give me pause. For now appeared on the right Ayer Road Industrial Park; in this were Atlantic Rubber Company and other firms.

Then on that side, at 39, was a building with the town of Littleton Highway and, Light and Water Departments. The road could be seen curving right and going uphill ahead.

Now the right side was wooded again. A cement truck exited from somewhere on the left, and I then saw piles of gravel and cement. I came to the cement plant on the left, not seeing an identifying sign. I continued upward.

Reaching the other end of New Estate Road to my right, I finally realized that I had gone wrong and that I had never planned to go this way. Heading back being unthinkable, there was nothing to due but to continue until I reached Bruce Street, from which I would head south. I thought that I could do so and still get the 3:30 train, however.

I noticed a fresh dead skunk that had attracted flies, as I passed the cement plant, trying to go as fast as I could and wondering at my stupidity. I had been taking my time and the more I thought about it, catching the train was far from certain. I passed more concrete and gravel piles my right, seeing the road curve left ahead. I saw a sign for the Stafford Companies. I noticed a red house on the left and then a large concrete wall to the right.

A cultivated field was observed to the left, then, at 150, a cape home with modern farm buildings behind it. To the right I went by the Middlesex Scale House. Following a short stretch of undeveloped land on the left, I followed a left curve.

On my left, at 160, was Oak Gallery Factory and Showroom, offering furniture, and then Spectro, Inc. (at the same address, “a world leader in condition monitoring instrumentation through oil analysis”). A building at 168 Ayer – I could just see the entrance and part of it- had Bradford Furniture (this closed in 1999) and four other businesses.

I went by the Mile 69 marker, with no interest in checking my pace. On the right, behind some woods, I could see construction. Across the left was an out of business building with a blank sign; to the right a sign read “Roseway”. I observed a small home to the left, with what appeared to be another (or perhaps some apartments) beside it. It was now 2:30 and things did not look good. On the left I now saw Towle Trucking and Triumph Leasing. To the right the construction was still visible in the background.

The road curved left. I felt quite behind the time by which I thought I needed to get to Taylor Street. Now I saw woods on the left, with railroad tracks; my turn, then, had to be right ahead. I saw a crane on the right, with a new building in construction.  Further on the side came Spectacle Pond Road.

To my left, I had a view of – I thought, maybe concrete pipes? – behind a large field. I now went over the John F. McGovern Memorial Bridge over the railroad track. On the other side I could see that the “pipes” (or whatever they were) were metal.

I curve left, seeing a sign at an intersection just ahead and hoping it was Bruce Street. Two “Webster” trailer trucks went by in the other direction. A trailer park was visible on the right. Now I realized that the road on the left was not Bruce, but the entrance to whatever place the “metal objects” were at. (I have seen these on another walk and still did not figure out what they are.) I next viewed a corn field on the left and trailer homess on the right, then seeing the headquarters of Mobile Home Park, which was followed by another such establishment, Littleton Motor Court. (While I see some trace of the latter on the Internet, this area now seems to contain Boston Minuteman Campground.)

The intersection with my turn appeared ahead on the left. A stone wall could now be seen along the corn field, with trailers visible behind shrubs on the right. I passed an abandoned farm building on the right. On the other side, at 245, was Home Plate Pub and Grille (this is now Chip Shots).

Finally turning left (south) onto Bruce Street (the locus, on some maps, of Pingryville), I noted a Citgo on the corner across. I had no memory of this narrow street, though I knew I had done it on a previous walk.

I passed an old two and a half story home on the right. On the left an old farmhouse was being rebuilt. This was in front of the barn I had seen from Ayer Street, which was covered with “No Trespassing” signs.  A cornfield then came on the left, with houses along the right.

I was beginning to run now, even though the 3:30 trained seemed hopeless. Newer homes continued on the right; then came undeveloped land, with foliage. I saw stone walls left and right and then the land became woods, with the walls continuing. At 41 on the right, houses appeared again.

To the left, at 44, was a farmhouse and I saw two cows. A small newer cape was also here. I followed a right curve and passed an old white farmhouse, with what looked like a paddock, at 50.

I passed a new development, at Fox Lane, on the left. Another cluster of new homes, Brandy Hollow, appeared on the right. I went uphill, curving left.

Houses could seem amidst trees left and right. Then on the right was a large cultivated field, with trees in the background. Still curving left, I saw some acorns falling.

To my right I then noted some farm buildings and, apparently, a residence. There were pumpkins here. I pursued a right curve, finding a field of clover on the left. Now on the right, at 91, came the Idyllvale Farm, looking purely residential  (though apparently that impression was mistaken). I had now been walking for seven hours.

Coming to the end of Bruce, I turned left at Harvard Road, as with Bruce having no memory of this route though I had taken it before. On the left were newer homes, on the right woods. I followed a right curve and then another one.

To the right I saw a gated trail. There were houses on both sides of the road now. On the left, numbered 89, was a tan house. At 73 was a residence housing Bodyworks Commons, offering shiatsu massage.  I went downhill, curving right.

I could see industrial property ahead. I passed a dead snake. Then I realized that this was the site of Veryfine, a large complex of buildings. One of these did indeed contain the smokestack I had seen from Ayer Road.

Following a rightward curve and going as fast as possible, I could smell the apples (or apple juice).  Passing a Citgo and other business to my right, I came to a complex intersection.

Pursuant to my plan, I went left on King Street, crossing the railroad track, to Harwood Avenue. Following a quite different path than the railroad, Harwood would take me southeast to Foster Street, from which I would head back southwest to the MBTA station. It was now obvious that the train would have been long gone at that point.

Looking at the railroad track, I saw that the area of the left was wide enough that I could take a risky course along the tracks. No doubt that method was prohibited, but I did not see any forbidding sign and my situation was desperate. With “no time to think,” I decided to do it and headed south along the gravel along the railroad route.

Some years later, on a regional walk, I reached the same point under similar circumstances. This time, however, I found very clear MBTA “No Trespassing” signs here. Since my policy is not to trespass, I therefore did not repeat this experiment and wound up getting the next train in South Acton.

I began to run; it was still looking bad, and I surely did not want to be observed by the train operator. I went through the two halves of Mill Pond, which was visible only on the right-hand side. I then went under the I-495 bridge. It seemed now that I was going to make it.

Some commercial properties could be seen on the right. Finally, I discerned the yellow line along the station platform. I was not only going to be on time, but I had enough to spare to go into the brush for a badly needed comfort stop.

I arrived in the station at 3:25, concluding the walk at seven and a half hours. Despite a cool breeze, I was really sweating. I called Cathy and got a New York Times from a newspaper box. There were just a few other people waiting for the train.

Overall, this was a good walk. The mission was accomplished, and there were points of interest. Granted Route 110 itself was far from scenic, but doing state routes is part of the overall walk plan. The somewhat too common navigation error and the last minute dash were negatives, but I got away with it again and they provided for a good story.

 

Name: West from Lowell via Route 110

Path: Lowell - Littleton

Note: Route 110 now connected Bolton - Lawrence

Date: October 6, 1997

Time: 7 hours

Weather: Sunny; unseasonably warm (65˚ to 85˚ F); cool breezes

Roadkill: Raccoon (Westford); skunk (Littleton); snake (Littleton)

Municipalities: Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, Littleton

Localities: Flanagan Square, Westlands, Chelmsford Center, Central Square, Eriksen's Corner, Beaver Brook, Lime Quarry Reservation, Hunt Square, Byam Corner, Ward Corner, Vine Brook, Nashoba Brook, Littleton Common, Mill Pond

Highlight: First foliage of 1997

Lowlight: Directional error in Littleton

New walks: South from Littleton
                     

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