The Toxic Tack LbNA #3091

The Toxic Tack Letterbox

(Fairhaven, Massachusetts)

The Yachtsman and I have been busy over the last month setting out
some new letterboxes. Here is the first.

TOXIC TACK LETTERBOX: Bristol County, MA

Placed on October 13, 2002 by The Yachtsman and Mary Manatee

"The Atlas Tack facility was built in 1901 and operated as a
manufacturer of tacks, steel nails, rivets, and bolts until 1985. The
facility's operation included electroplating, acid-washing,
enameling, and painting. From the early 1940's to the 1970's, process
wastes containing acids, heavy metals such as copper and zinc, and
solvents were discharged into drains in the floor of the main
building. It is believed that wastewater from these operations was
discharged to an on-site lagoon from approximately 1940 through 1973.
As a result of these practices, many of these chemicals have permeated
into the soil and groundwater." This is a quotation from an EPA press
release in 1999 (www.epa.gov/region1/pr/1999/110899.html) that
announced the beginning of the cleanup of this superfund site. The
first phase of the cleanup involved removal of friable asbestos from
partially collapsed buildings that had not been maintained since the
company's demise in 1985. Ground and water cleanup have not been
completed because of monetary issues.


The former Atlas Tack site can be reached along the Phoenix Bike
Trail, about ½ mile from the Western end. Take Route 195 to exit
18 in Fairhaven. Take Rt 240 south to traffic light. Bear right at
light, and go straight through next intersection (Alden Rd). At
Route 6, turn right (West) and proceed to Adam St. Turn left, and go
to end of street. Park on you left in small dirt area off the road
just in front of the bike path. You will be across the street from
Doug's Prop Shop. (If there is no parking here, turn right, and park
in the driveway in front of one of the remaining Atlas Tack buildings
on Pleasant St.)

Enter the bike path and proceed East past Z & W's Welding and
Fabrication and Borges & Son Excavating & Building on your left
behind a chain link fence. Soon you will be passing the fenced in
property of what remains of Atlas Tack. This site is a good reminder
of what can happen to Mother Nature if environmentalists do not remain
vigilant. Although some of the buildings have been torn down,
several large brick hulks remain, as well as a very noticeable
landmark, their tall smokestack.

As you pass through the "S turn" on the bike path you will soon pass
the home of the Fairhaven Honey Wagon on your left. Soon afterward,
you will approach an intersection with an orange metal gate. Turn
south onto the dirt road and proceed up the hill to the top of what
is the extension of the hurricane barrier. As you stand in the center
of the intersection of the barrier with the road, Buzzards Bay will be
to your south, and the Atlas Tack smokestack will be at 270 degrees. Walk
about 15 paces to a 15 - 20 foot juniper at 325 degrees. With your back to
the juniper as you face toward the water, there will be a sentinel
rock on your right. At the base of the sentinel is a small black
boulder that hides the access to your treasure. [We couldn't find any evidence of a family of snakes in the immediate vicinity of the treasure, but please be aware that others have seen snakes in some parts of this rock pile.] After stamping in,
reflect on how beautiful this site on the marsh can be when the
cleanup is actually completed.

PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT TOXIC TACK WAS TRASHED. WE WILL POST A NOTE WHEN IT HAS BEEN REPLACED.



First posted on Wednesday, November 06, 2002