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GCT History: The Throne
Every month, we will share the history behind the parcels under stewardship by the GCT. As we look back over 60 years, we find this is also a history of Groton and our environment as well.
The Throne consists of four parcels stewarded by the GCT: Throne Hill, West Throne Hill, Lawrence Land and June's Wood. The area is one of the richest habitats in Groton.
As a prime resource for climate change mitigation, the area presents opportunities for expanded protection. The GCT has assisted The Town of Groton and the MA Department of Fish and Wildlife in acquiring parcels there.
Throne Hill, located off of Castle Drive, was given to the GCT by L&S Builders in 1984, as part of a development deal in that area.
For the West Throne Hill parcel, located at Rockwood Lane in West Groton, the original 71-acre parcel was in Chapter 61, which provides the town with a right of first refusal if the owner plans to develop the land. In this case, the owner had an extensive development plan for the 71-acre parcel. The town exercised its right of first refusal on the original 71-acre parcel and assigned that right to the Groton Land Foundation. The Groton Land Foundation was a subsidiary of the Groton Conservation Trust that was created for the express purpose of "limited development," i.e. developing only a portion of a larger parcel and dedicating the remainder to conservation.
The authority of the town to assign the right of first refusal to a non-profit that would engage in limited development was challenged in court. The Court ruled in favor of the Groton Land Foundation and the town; the court found that the assignment of the right of first refusal to a non-profit was valid under Chapter 61.
This was the first ruling of a Massachusetts court on this issue and was considered a landmark decision in favor of conservation efforts.
The Groton Land Foundation then proceeded with the purchase of the 71-acre parcel from the Wheatley family in 1998. Acting in accordance with its charter, the Groton Land Foundation created a "limited development": 16 acres of the original parcel were developed to recoup purchase expenses and the remaining 55 acres placed in permanent conservation.
Lawrence Land is 43 acres of woodland, partly purchased and partly a gift of William A. Lawrence II in 1999, includes the highest land on The Throne.
June's Wood, the newest parcel under the GCT stewardship, is within the Sqannassit Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
And yes, there is a "throne" on the parcel as shown on this map. According to Dr. Green’s “Historical Sketch”: The Throne—a high hill in the western part of the town. A map of Groton resembles a tea-kettle, the portion west of the Nashua River forming the spout, and the Throne comes in the spout. It is 484 feet high.
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