Camp Cobb was the Worcester Section’s first clubhouse, established through the generosity of Dr. Gardner N. Cobb, a charter member who donated five years of use of a building on his estate beginning in 1945. Originally constructed as a hunting hut for a group of businessmen, the structure had fallen into disrepair before the Worcester Section undertook restoration efforts. Members cleaned and renovated the neglected building, installing new paper lining, doors, windows, and a kitchen range donated by the father of two club members. The camp officially opened in November 1944 with a gathering of thirty-seven members who hiked nearby trails and shared a baked bean supper. Subsequent improvements included electric lighting and the restoration of a well with a new frame, sweep mechanism, and bucket. The Worcester Section expanded the facility further by developing a picnic area and planning an outdoor fireplace under Louis L. Bigelow’s supervision. The camp served as an accessible gathering place for the Worcester Section, located twenty minutes by bus and a one-mile walk from the city center, with numerous trail options nearby. Camp Cobb operated successfully through the mid-1940s, hosting outings, winter sports activities, and social events before the Worcester Section vacated the property no later than May 1, 1948.
Sources
- "Long Trail News." , no. April (1944).
- "Long Trail News." , no. February (1945).
- "Long Trail News." , no. February (1948).
