Keystone Arch Bridges

Keystone Arch Bridges The Keystone Arches are the first cluster of stone arch railroad bridges built in America, c. 1838 -9.

DOG LANE has been installed over Babcock Brook at the start of The Keystone Arch Bridges Trail. 3/26/26. Specialty wash...
03/26/2026

DOG LANE has been installed over Babcock Brook at the start of The Keystone Arch Bridges Trail. 3/26/26. Specialty washers to attach the planks were fashioned by Gateway Regional Welding students.

Walking map kiosk going up in downtown Chester features a number of loops for walking around town. Healthy Hampshire an...
10/09/2025

Walking map kiosk going up in downtown Chester features a number of loops for walking around town. Healthy Hampshire and Hilltown Hikers erected the kiosk. Three of the loops are the Chester & Becket Trail, built by Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. in the early 2000's. About the third urban trail in the country; a new movement then. Would have been the first, but we had to wait 3 years for a crosswalk over Rte. 20. Tom & Liz of the Hillltown Hikers shown here.

HAD A GREAT HOUSATONIC HERITAGE HIKE to the Arches 9/6/25. Except for this goofball riding a dirt bike all over the wel...
09/07/2025

HAD A GREAT HOUSATONIC HERITAGE HIKE to the Arches 9/6/25. Except for this goofball riding a dirt bike all over the well-populated trail. Got back about 5 minutes before the high winds and thunderstorms moved in.

EARLY SNOW and cold snap last week quickly formed icicles. The porous nature of these structures, due to them being dry...
12/16/2024

EARLY SNOW and cold snap last week quickly formed icicles. The porous nature of these structures, due to them being dry laid is well illustrated here. This is one of their strengths. If mortar was used, all this water would be trapped inside causing frost heaves. Winter wonderland photos by Kathryn Koegel.

12/01/2024

Please be advised that shotgun deer season and bear season run through Dec 11. The Keystone Arch Bridges Trail is largely on MA Fish & Wildlife property. Might be a good idea to find other trails to enjoy during his period, or at the very least wear tons of orange. There's no hunting on Sundays. Be careful out there!!

THE OLD GIRL's lookin' pretty good after a facelift. She's entering her 20th year of service.
10/10/2024

THE OLD GIRL's lookin' pretty good after a facelift. She's entering her 20th year of service.

FLY FISHING under the Double Arch was a highlight of the Housatonic Heritage Walk that day. 9/7/24.
09/09/2024

FLY FISHING under the Double Arch was a highlight of the Housatonic Heritage Walk that day. 9/7/24.

BEST FIND EVER on the Keystone Arch Bridges Trail. I've been walking here for 40+ years, but on 9/7/24, Leading a Housa...
09/07/2024

BEST FIND EVER on the Keystone Arch Bridges Trail. I've been walking here for 40+ years, but on 9/7/24, Leading a Housatonic Heritage Hike, I found the piece in the center from railroad china. This piece has Boston & Albany Railroad and New York Central Lines both on it. After I found it, other hikers found four other pieces, the two shown here both have the border pattern on them. This is pre WW I china. Somehow, it survived out here for all that time, I would have to assume after falling off a train, when the line was torn up after abandonment, without being picked up by someone else and then all found on the same day. What are the odds?

Address

Middlefield Road 42° 18. 689'N 72° 59. 556'W
Chester, MA
01011

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Keystone Arch Bridges posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share