The first Stage route through Princeton was established a little time before 1820, by a man by the name of Bassett. It ran from Royalston, through the towns of Gardner, Westminster, Princeton and West Boylston, to Worcester. It made but one trip a week. During the early part of its runs, it never carried the U. S. mail; only passengers; but it did supply subscribers on its route with the Massachusetts Spy, throwing it out at each house as it passed along. After running thus a few years the route was shortened, running only from Gardner to Worcester. It continued to run until the opening of the Vermont 8 Massachusetts Railroad, through Gardner, the last proprietor and driver being John Edgell of Gardner.
The second Stage route through Princeton ran from Barre through the towns of Hubbardston, Princeton, Sterling Lancaster, Bolton, Stowe, corner of Sudbury (near Maynard), corner of Lincoln, Weston, Waltham, Watertown. The changes of horses were made at Princeton, Bolton and Lincoln, and stages were run upon this route until the completion of the railroad from Boston to Fitchburg in 1871. The first driver through Princeton, was Abel Lakin, and the last, Joe Maynard; they stopped to change mail at each Post Office of each town. This route was established about 1823.
The third Stage route was established in 1849 (pictured above Boston-Pratts JCT-Princeton before 1969), running from Princeton Center to Oakdale. Upon the opening of the Worcester and Nashua Railroad, the Oakdale and Princeton Center coach and four horses and carrying the U. S. mail, continued to run until the opening of the Boston, Barre and Gardner Rail Road, in 1871. D. Frank Smith who had been driving to Oakdale commenced the new route between the Depot and Center. He was succeeded by P. C. Doolittle who purchased the line in 1883 and continued its manager 26 years, having had associated with him at different times Willis H. Clark and Herbert A. Jackson. In IGOG (Incoming Goods/Outgoing Goods) John Perkins, the present proprietor purchased the line. Now a stage is running from East Princeton to Oakdale and carrying the U. S. mail. This was established in 1849, the coach meeting the Princeton coach at the so-called Richardson Tavern (Sterling Princeton line), the latter taking the mail to Oakdale, until the discontinuance of the latter.
Francis E. Blake – History of Princeton – Vol 1 page 360-1
As you view this image, we think it was a “stage” photo by the photographer, but if not, what questions does this image raise in your mind?:
- Is the stage arriving or departing?
- With all that weight, it must have been a scary ride down Gregory Hill, especially if you were riding on top?
- How could those 4 horses pull all that weight up Gregory Hill?