The Lost Mill Village of Middlesex Fells

by Douglas L Heath, Alison C. Simcox

One of the earliest mill communities in the Massachusetts Bay Colony formed along Spot Pond Brook, a few miles north of Boston. Thomas Coytmore built the first mill in 1640 at the brook's downstream end in "Mistick Side" (present-day Malden). Other mills sprang up along the brook as well. Today, most of Spot Pond Brook is hidden in culverts beneath the busy streets of Malden and Melrose. However, remnants of the lost mill village of Haywardville--foundations, millruns and ponds and waterfalls--are preserved within Middlesex Fells Reservation, part of Boston's world-famous Metropolitan Park System. Authors Douglas L. Heath and Alison C. Simcox trace the history of this thriving early American community.

128 pages, Paperback

Published July 31, 2017

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic local history for anyone who loves hiking the Fells and Virginia Wood.

[Christina Gagliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such interesting local history--well done!

[Tresa Casaletto · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is rich with details of the industries that once were along Spot Pond Brook.