Join local authors, Alison Simcox and Douglas Heath, as they trace the natural and cultural history of Breakheart Reservation from its glacial origins and use by Paleo-Indians to modern times. Their new book reveals how this square-mile of forest has remained virtually undeveloped since colonial times. This story includes tales of early settlers to dreams of wealthy businessmen, and culminates with the brutal murder in 1900 of the forest's first caretaker, a crime that rocked the Boston area for months. Three decades later, the land was sold to the state and became a camp for the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps, who transformed the forest into a recreation area. Today, Breakheart is one the finest gems in the state's park system.

  

Alison and Doug's first book, "Lake Quannapowitt" came out in 2011. Both books are published by Arcadia Publishing, a leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Alison and Doug both serve as board members of the Saugus River Watershed Council.