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Turner Hill [14]
Detail Map (40k)
Area Map (60k)
Location: 251 Topsfield Road, Ipswich. Off Topsfield Road on the right heading west approximately 3 miles from Rte 1A and 3.5 miles from Rte 1. The property is marked by a mile of stone wall with one major entrance.
Parking: None available on the property at this time. Limited parking is possible along Topsfield Road. Please pull off the road for safety reasons and as a courtesy to horseback riders. When the project is complete, a designated parking area will be available for trail users.
Hours: Currently, the trails are open from dawn to dusk. When the project is completed, a revised timetable for trail usage will be published.
Permitted: During the next two years, while the project moves through the permitting and construction phases, allowable uses will be limited to hiking. At some point during the construction process, Turner Hill may be required for safety reasons to close all or part of its trail network. When the project is completed (2001-2002) and the trail system re-opened, allowable uses will include hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and horseback riding. Because of the swans in the main pond, we ask that people not walk their dogs on the property
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PRIVATELY OWNED AND DEVELOPED BY TURNER HILL PRESERVATION ASSOCIATES LLC, AN AFFILIATE OF RAYMOND PROPERTY COMPANY LLC 306 DARTMOUTH STREET, BOSTON, MA 02116
History
The property, originally some 700 acres on and surrounding Turner Hill, was purchased from several adjacent landowners and became the estate of Charles G. and Anne Proctor Rice at the end of the last century.
Construction of the mansion, the jewel of Turner Hill, was begun in 1900 and when completed three years later included many ideas from Europe both in style and furnishing. The mansion is notable for its magnificent wood paneling, numerous ornamental carvings, stone work and many impressive fire places.
The original estate included fourteen out buildings: garages, barns, stables, dwellings for the butler, coachman, gardener etc. Of these, seven remain.
There were numerous recreational accoutrements: tennis courts, ponds for swimming and skating, a ski hill, stables and numerous trails especially for horse back riding. In 1933, Mrs. Rice was killed in a riding accident and soon afterwards, Mr. Rice retired. He remained quietly on his estate until his death in 1943.
On May 1, 1945 The Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette purchased approximately 300 acres on the northerly side of Topsfield Road which remain the footprint for the present development. The Fathers rearranged the mansion to incorporate a small chapel and living quarters for a number of priests and brothers, built several new structures including the very large La Salette Shrine which was used for regular religious services as well as providing a wonderful setting for local concert performances.
In 1997, the Missionaries sold the property to Raymond Property Company, LLC. The estate is now known as Turner Hill, and the Raymond Company plans to create a resort which will include a conference center, hotel, residential units, an 18 hole golf course and other such amenities while keeping intact the vast majority of open space and extensive trail system.
Trails
Currently the trail system at Turner Hill is not marked. The main trail starts at the back of the former paddock behind the Coachman's Dwelling. This trail splits into two trails, one leading north into Willowdale State Forest (straight ahead) and the other leading east (to the right) to the Longmeadow residential subdivision.
When the project is completed, the trail system will be clearly marked. Every effort will be made to keep the trails in their current location. However, because of safety considerations around the golf course, it may be necessary to adjust the trail system accordingly.
To the west the Turner Hill trail leads into a 102 acre wooded parcel privately owned and protected by a conservation restriction. The trails on this property are easy to follow: those to the left lead to the ski lodge and in due course downhill to Topsfield Road; those to the right join the trail into Willowdale State Forest.
Please note that this land is privately owned and that access may be restricted for special events.
