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This Type Of Eminent Domain happened In Massachusetts


Between 1930-1939 the residents of four Massachusetts towns, Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott had their real property bought up and were relocated so that a huge dam could be built on the Swift River and the entire valley flooded. Those four towns were disincorporated and vanished beneath the waters.

The result was the man made creation of the largest inland body of water in Massachusetts, the Quabbin Reservoir. The rapid population growth of Boston and surrounding suburbs quickly outstripped local water supplies. Therefore a giant reservoir had to be built.

The residents of those four towns didn't go willingly and indeed, took the case to the Massachusetts Supreme Court, but lost. It was a case of the greater good vs individual rights, but the bitter part was that the four towns were not part of the greater good.

I hope the property owners were sufficiently compensated for their homes, but because it took place in the 1930s when property values were depressed, I doubt it.

Of course, nothing can compensate for the loss of your ancestral homes. I can still drive by the house owned by my grandparents; these people can only look out over the water that covers theirs.

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It's hard for a transplant like me to understand such deep-rooted attachments. My parents packed us all up and we relocated because they wanted to give us better options in life.

Watching the movie helped me understand the grandmother's point of view. I get it but I think a lot of that sentiments comes from looking backwards not forwards.

As the human race evolved we have had to give up a lot of what came before. People have been adapting for one reason or another throughout history and that's not about to change.

Along with teaching them other life skills and lessons we should prepare our kids how to accept change, adapt, and be resilient.


Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

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What I could never understand was how they thought her entire island with huge old house, barn, outbuildings, (destillery ?) were a fair trade for that tiny little house because you could turn on an electric light and not have to shit in an outhouse.
The story had its faults.
Whole lotta useless trouble really, considering all they had to do was wait in a fishing boat until the water forced her out of her home, snagger her out, and hauled her wherever she wanted to go.
Great performances though.
As usual, you can't get enough of VanFleet.

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