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(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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Traveling for pleasure and seeking out pastoral and natural vistas grew in popularity among Americans in the 1800s. Mountain summits that offered panoramic "birds-eye" views were especially popular destinations. By the mid-1800s, men and women could either hike or take a carriage up to the summit of Mt. Sugarloaf in South Deerfield, Massachusetts. Part of the Pocumtuck Range, Sugarloaf presents a sweeping view of the Connecticut River Valley. The Summit House shown here was built to accommodate tourists in 1864. It had fallen into disuse by the time this picture was taken. A fire eventually destroyed the building.

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