Lake Shirley in Worcester and Middlesex Counties, Massachusetts
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Lake Shirley, also known as Shirley Reservoir, is a 354-acre irregularly shaped lake straddling the towns of Lunenburg in Worcester County and Shirley in Middlesex County, featuring a maximum depth of 32 feet with an average depth of 14 feet and an impressive 27 miles of heavily developed shoreline dotted with year-round homes and a small number of seasonal cottages. First created in 1852 when the Shirley Reservoir Company, a group of mill owners, built a dam on Catacunemaug Brook, the lake suffered a catastrophic dam failure in 1856 that destroyed bridges, a sawmill, and multiple millpond dams downstream, washing out structures on Catacunemaug Road, Center Road, Main Street, Shaker Road, and the Fitchburg Railway railroad bridge. More than a century later in April 1987, the "100-year flood" severely damaged the dam again, draining the lake through a hole beneath the structure until the state installed a cofferdam restoring water levels. This productive fishery supports excellent populations of Largemouth Bass with multiple tournaments held annually, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Brown Bullhead, various Sunfish species including Bluegill, creating exceptional fishing opportunities year-round. The large number of coves and islands make the lake perfect for exploration by pontoon boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, while Shady Point Beach & Campground hosts fishing tournaments, daily picnicking and swimming, plus private and corporate outings. With a public boat launch, swimming beach access, and the dedicated Lake Shirley Improvement Corporation managing invasive vegetation treatment programs and water quality monitoring for nearly 20 years, the lake is ideal for boating, water skiing, jet skiing, tubing, fishing, kayaking, swimming, and year-round ice fishing in a beloved community atmosphere just 45 minutes from Boston
Located in the rural communities of Lunenburg (population 11,782) and Shirley in north central Massachusetts approximately 43 miles northwest of Boston, Lake Shirley sits within Worcester County's scenic countryside characterized by farmland, open spaces, and conservation areas providing stunning vistas. Lunenburg, incorporated in 1728 and named after King George II's title Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, features exceptional attractions including the historic Lunenburg Town Common dating back 300 years and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988, the Lunenburg Historical Society founded in 1897 showcasing local heritage, Robbs Hill Conservation Area with blazed woodland trails and boardwalks over extensive wetlands, and the former site of famous Whalom Park amusement park on Whalom Lake that operated from 1893 to 2000 as one of America's oldest trolley parks. Visitors can explore nearby Pearl Hill State Park and Willard Brook State Forest encompassing over 3,000 acres with Trap Falls, camping beneath spectacular pine canopies, a five-acre pond with beach area, and endless woodland trails for hiking and mountain biking. The surrounding region provides access to Lanni Orchards for apple picking and farm-fresh produce, Settlers Crossing Golf Course with a clubhouse in an 1899 colonial house, the Drawbridge Puppet Theater performing weekend shows, Fitchburg Art Museum founded in 1925, Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge with miles of hiking trails and Nashua River kayaking, plus easy access via commuter rail on the MBTA Fitchburg Line. The area offers charming downtown shopping, unique antique stores, local restaurants, and seasonal events celebrating the community's agricultural heritage and strong stewardship ethic where volunteer groups and town initiatives work tirelessly to protect water quality, control invasive plants, monitor runoff, and ensure Lake Shirley remains both a treasured natural resource and cherished community gathering place for generations to come
This charming handcrafted laser-cut wooden topographical map of Lake Shirley would make a delightful addition to your Lunenburg or Shirley lake home, cottage, or office, celebrating your connection to this historic 354-acre reservoir with a dramatic past dating to 1852. The artistic design features a natural wood top layer that beautifully showcases the lake's irregularly shaped basin with an impressive 27 miles of intricate shoreline featuring large numbers of coves and islands perfect for exploring, the Catacunemaug Brook inlet, the historic dam that has withstood catastrophic failures in 1856 and 1987, Shady Point Beach & Campground, and the public boat launch providing convenient access. The water depths are represented through a gentle gradient flowing from light blue in the 14-foot average areas to deeper blue at the 32-foot maximum depth, while every cove, island, prime largemouth bass fishing structure, swimming beach, and the distinctive features maintained by the Lake Shirley Improvement Corporation's dedicated 20-year invasive vegetation treatment program are precisely laser-etched into the multi-layered wood construction. This three-dimensional piece of wall art beautifully captures the community spirit, fishing tournament heritage, and strong environmental stewardship of this beloved Massachusetts lake shared between two historic towns just 45 minutes from Boston where volunteer dedication ensures pristine water quality and exceptional recreation for all who cherish these waters
Dimensions:
Small: 8"x12"
Medium: 12"x18"
Large: 16"x24"
Extra Large: 20"x30"
XX Large: 24"x36"
Gigantic 30"x45"
Cribbage Boards - 10"x14" - Your choice of Maple or Cherry wood, 2 or 3 runs, and your choice of peg colors.
