In 1902, Pittsfield’s YMCA Ponterril Marina was established as a canoe club and it operated for about a century—as this undated archival photo shows, it was quite the place to be. After its popularity waned, it closed in 2002; the building, with frontage on Pontoosuc Lake, would be purchased by Scott Graves. In 2013, he told The Eagle there were once three ponds where the lake is now, with trails leading to each pond. Before construction of the dam, the building was a ways from the water, Graves said, so canoers would “just drag their canoes to the ponds to go fishing.” He also noted, “I just couldn’t see getting rid of these walls—there are so many memories there.” Graves is still the owner, and runs the property as Rusty Anchor Marina and Pub.