Photo's taken in 2007
Music : Time traveler / Mike Turcotte ( Copyright MTM 2026 )
From Google AI:
------------------------------------------------------------------
West Campus in North Chelmsford (off Princeton Boulevard). Originally built in 1898 as the Middlesex County Truancy School, the property was acquired by UMass in 1984. It operated as a graduate school until 2000 and was officially sold to a private real estate developer in the 2020s to be transformed into luxury and affordable housing.
The site has a fascinating, yet decaying history:Original Purpose: It functioned as a juvenile reform school and truancy facility until 1973, when it was shut down after investigations into inmate treatment.
Wang Labs Era: Tech company Wang Laboratories purchased the property for a headquarters but never used it.
UMass Era: UMass Lowell operated it as a Graduate School of Education from 1984 to 2000. The university ultimately abandoned it due to rapid structural decline and the high cost of upgrades.
Decay & Trespassing: After closure, the site became known for urban exploration and suffered from severe neglect. Several structures, including Read Hall, had to be demolished following overnight fires and collapses.
Redevelopment: Real estate developers purchased the property to redevelop the sprawling, time-capsule property into new residential units. Because it is a fenced-off, abandoned site, trespassing is heavily monitored by local police and UMass officials to keep curious explorers safe.
