Christopher Setterlund, In My Footsteps

In My Footsteps: Trip 119: Natick, Massachusetts

2011-06-17T21:00:00.000-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 119: Natick, Massachusetts

April 14, 2011

Consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States the city of Natick caught my attention the moment I saw it and never let it go. Ironically I got my first glimpses of Natick while driving through it during a previous trip and was mesmerized by the downtown area that I saw. I immediately made plans to return as soon as possible.

Cochituate State Park

My return to Natick took off at the first stop, Cochituate State Park. A relatively small state park I was not expecting very much in the way of things to see and was pleasantly surprised. The main part of the park consists of the large Lake Cochituate which is divided into three smaller connected ponds: South, Middle, and North. I parked at South Pond and took a walk to enjoy the scenery. There is a boat ramp and swimming area along the shore and a picnic area away from it. The flowers and trees were in full bloom and the sweet scents coupled with the warm temperatures made me want to spend the entire day there. There is also a hilly area good for a relatively easy hike, it gives a great view down over South Pond.

Henry Wilson Shoe Shop on the right.

There is a little historic spot that can be a bit hard to stop for but I made time for it. The Henry Wilson Shoe Shop on West Central Street is quite literally a little piece of history. The tiny red building was where the former Massachusetts Senator and Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant learned to make shoes in the pre-Civil War days. He was known then as the ‘Natick Cobbler’ but surprisingly not many people today know of who he is or what his significance was to Natick and the United States.

The building is known as a ‘ten footer’ because that was the dimensions used to create cobbler shops in the 19^th century, ten by ten. In order to get out and walk on the grounds I had to park across the street at a small plaza but it was worth it as it is an interesting area. The constant rush of Rt. 135 did not take away from the historic and beautiful scene, the sun and warmth makes everything look great. An old bell sits just to the left of the little red building and only a few steps further away were a bed of daffodils. I tried to get some photos from the other side of the daffodils that showcased then entire Henry Wilson site and they did come out all right. A little inconvenience with parking should not stop you from a walk here.

A wide view of Natick looking toward Natick Center.

The next spot I visited in Natick was actually what attracted me to the city in the first place, the downtown area. It is hard for me to describe the feeling I had upon returning here in the bright spring sun and getting to walk Central Street, both the East and West sides. There are so many really pretty brick buildings with historic meaning that line the street, too many to detail but I will do my best to give you an idea.

I parked in a lot off of Central Street near the well known Casey’s Diner. It is one of the oldest operating diners in the country having been built in 1922. I wanted lunch there but the line was out the door, obviously I was not the only one who had that idea! I walked out to Central Street and just took it all in. Even the police and fire stations had a different feel to them because they were part of historic Natick Center.

The scenery behind the Bacon Free Library.

Of course as with most town center’s there is a town common and the town hall as well. The original Town Hall was destroyed by a great fire in 1874 along with an amazing eighteen business blocks. If I hadn’t known that fact I’d have had little idea that the Natick Center area hadn’t always been the way it appears today. I walked all the way down to where Main Street intersects Central Street and took it all in, snapping as many photos of as many buildings and scenes as I could so that I could remember why I loved it so.

The final place I visited was the Bacon Free Library on Eliot Street which also houses the Natick Historical Society. While I parked in front of the historic building it was what lay behind it that I was actually interested in. Behind the library there is a river and a falls that takes the water underneath a neat stone bridge on Pleasant Street South. The constant rush of the waterfall added to the beautiful scenery with flowers in bloom and green grass along the river.

There are benches along the water as well as the green grass I mentioned which is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch or to just relax to the sound of the water. I found myself mesmerized by the sights and sounds and believe this was a perfect way to end a trip to a place that had me excited before I had even stepped foot in it. Natick has been routinely named one of the best places to live in the United States and I can see why. Even as a visitor I could tell that there was something different about Natick. Don’t just stick to the places I have seen, I am sure that there are plenty that I missed, but the spots I did see were amazing. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Cochituate State Park: From Rt. 3 take exit 20A for I-93, continue onto Rt. 1S and I-95N, take exit 23-24-25 for I-90, continue toward I-90W, keep left at fork in road follow signs and merge onto I-90W. Take exit 13 for Rt. 30E, park is 1.8 miles up on right.

Natick Center: From Rt. 3 take exit 20A for I-93, continue onto Rt. 1S and I-95N, take exit 17 for Rt. 135, turn right onto Rt. 135W, after 2 miles take slight left onto Great Plain Ave. Take 3^rd exit at rotary for Wellesley Ave., turn left onto Washington St. after .6 mi., continue onto W. Central Street, follow 3 miles and you are in the heart of Natick Center.

References: Bacon Free Library.org

Natick Historical Society.org

Mass.gov - DCR - Cochituate State Park

In My Footsteps: Trip 118: Walpole, Massachusetts

2011-06-09T22:00:00.000-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 118: Walpole, Massachusetts

March 30, 2011

Named for the first Prime Minister of Britain the town of Walpole has a history that goes back to the time of the original British settlers. Only eighteen miles south of Boston this spot has a small town feel and charm to it that I of course gravitated to.

The barn at Adams Farm.

A perfect place to start a trip into Walpole is at Adams Farm. The farm land consists of 365 acres with more land on adjacent lots. Upon driving down the dirt road to the parking area the first thing I noticed was the classic big red barn standing alone against the spacious backdrop of trees and plowed fields. There are more than ten miles of trails to hike and the photography opportunities are everywhere once you step foot on the property. One new attraction at Adams Farm that I found interesting was the Butterfly Garden just behind the big red barn. It took four years to go from an idea to a beautiful piece of landscaping but the garden feels like a part of the farm now. A ‘butterfly garden’ essentially is what it says, a garden with plants in it that attract butterflies. It is a popular hobby from the research that I have done.

In my travels through Walpole I came across an odd site that made me stop my car to investigate. There was a gigantic seventy-two foot tall clock tower on the corner of Washington and Chestnut Streets in East Walpole. The wooden tower seemed very much out of place until I came home and researched it to find its true origins. The tower is in fact all that remains of Bird Hall which was a building erected in 1884 in tribute to Francis R. Bird. The tower was built ten years later. His name comes up again later.

The clock tower formerly part of Bird Hall.

Once considered the ‘pride of East Walpole’ the building burned down in 1995 but the clock tower remains. Thanks to a fallen piece of fence I was able to get onto the grounds and snap a few closer photos of the majestic clock tower. There have been rumors of the tower being torn down for a few years but as of when I visited it was still standing tall overlooking some folks waiting for a bus to arrive. This is a spot that you should check out but you have to do your research to find it. When I was looking for places to visit in Walpole the clock tower was not listed by name, I liked a photo I saw and went from there.

A nice walk is located in the downtown area of Walpole where the Historical Society, in the Deacon Willard Lewis House, is located on West Street. There are a couple of green areas along Common Street which were perfect to check out on such a nice afternoon. I parked across from the Deacon Willard Lewis House to start. Built in 1826 the home was not purchased by Deacon Lewis until 1863 yet it is named for him. I have tried to find more information about who exactly this Deacon Lewis was but have not had much success, obviously if the historical society is in his old house he must have been someone of importance to Walpole.

The possible war memorial on one of Walpole's commons.

There was a really cool stone gazebo on the first common closest to the Deacon Lewis House which was definitely out of the ordinary. On the second common there is a stone and wood structure that appears to be some sort of war memorial that is a really nice piece of art. The downtown area of Walpole is a great place to walk and take in the scenery but there is another spot that takes the cake for scenery in this town.

Bird Park, an eighty-nine acre park is an amazing area to spend an afternoon. The park was created in 1925 by industrialist Charles Sumner Bird and his wife Anna in memory of their son Francis who had died of the flu during the epidemic of 1918. The landscaping of the park was done by John Nolen, protégé of famed architect Frederick Law Olmstead who created The Rockery in Easton, Massachusetts which I previously covered.

Bird Park

I parked in the parking area on Rhoades Avenue in the same lot as the Union Congregational Church and immediately knew I was going to enjoy my time there. Obviously there was not enough time to explore the entirety of the park but what I saw was great. Upon entering there was a spacious field with various people walking, playing Frisbee, and having picnics.

Straight ahead was a small pond filled with ducks and geese. I had to laugh as a female duck was quacking loudly at her mate for five solid minutes while he sat quietly; he must have done something wrong! There are a couple of small creeks running through the park with stone bridges going over them, it was lush and green even early in spring. This is a great place to spend an afternoon as I said before, I figured I might as well reiterate it.

Walpole has many places to see, that are fun for the whole family. I immediately think of Adams Farm and Bird Park as places that anybody can go to and enjoy themselves. There is of course history to be found everywhere with the unique clock tower remains of Bird Hall and the Deacon Lewis House where the historical society is located. It is a town that needs to be on anybody’s itinerary. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Francis Bird Park: From Rt. 3 take exit 20A to merge onto I-93S toward Canton, continue onto I-95N. Take exit 15 for Rt. 1S, follow 5.4mi., turn right onto Union St. Turn left onto Washington St. after less than a mile, take quick left onto Rhoades Ave. Parking area is on right.

Adams Farm: From Rt. 3 take exit 20A to merge onto I-93S toward Canton, continue onto I-95N. Take exit 16B to merge onto Rt. 109, follow 4 miles, turn left onto North St., follow 1.2 mi., turn right onto Bittersweet Ln.

References: Adams Farm.com

Walpole Historical Society.org

The Trustees.org - Bird Park

In My Footsteps: Trip 117: Medfield, Massachusetts

2011-06-01T10:39:00.000-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 117: Medfield, Massachusetts

March 30, 2011

Never had I been so excited and so scared to visit a place as I was when I visited Medfield. No, there is nothing scary about Medfield itself, it is a beautiful town about twenty-five miles southwest of Boston. It was getting to step foot on the grounds of an abandoned mental hospital that made this trip different from any I had taken before.

Peak House

Originally part of Dedham, the town of Medfield was particularly ravaged during King Philip’s War during 1675. Half of the town was burned to the ground by the Native Americans. The first spot I visited, the Peak House, was burned to the ground and rebuilt shortly thereafter. Rebuilt in 1680 the small home on Main Street has a very high pitched steep roof which makes it look different than the average house. It is said that the house has the steepest roof on record for a 17^th century house in Massachusetts.

Taking a break from the historic homes of Medfield I ventured to a secluded hiking area called the Noon Hill Reservation. I parked on the similarly named Noonhill Road and hiked the trail that led to the summit of Noon Hill. The reservation itself is 204 acres which would take a lot of time to see, but the trail up to the summit of the 370-foot Noon Hill will give you a great idea of what the area is all about. There are some clearing areas at the top which allow you to see neighboring Walpole, Norfolk, and even Great Blue Hill. It is definitely a worthwhile hike.

Dwight-Derby House

Returning to the historic areas of Medfield I went to check out the Dwight-Derby House on Frairy Street. Built in 1651 the house is one of the ten oldest homes in America. As if that wasn’t enough if you simply turn around there is an amazing scene. Sitting just on the other side of Meetinghouse Pond is the First Unitarian Church built in 1789. When the weather is right there is a near perfect reflection of the church in the pond’s peaceful waters. The weather was right on this day which is why I am mentioning it.

Despite all of the other wonderful spots to check out in Medfield there was one that I was excited to see well before my arrival and that was the abandoned Medfield State Hospital on Hospital Road. Built in 1892 the hospital was for the clinically insane, a mental hospital. At its peak there were fifty-eight buildings on 900 acres housing a maximum of 2,200 patients.

Part of the 'neighborhood' of buildings at Medfield State Hospital.

The property was closed down in 2003 but recently reopened to the public; it has even been used for movies like Shutter Island. I knew upon arrival that this was going to be different than almost any place I had seen thus far and it was. I parked in an abandoned field across the street and approached the guard shack. The guard let me in and I was soon on my way into another world.

This ‘hospital’ was more like an abandoned neighborhood, there were so many buildings, red brick with red plywood over most of the windows. The blood red color only made the long walk from the guard shack to the neighborhood of abandoned buildings more eerie. There were hardly any sounds, no birds, no animals foraging around, really creepy. I also noticed signs with red ‘X’s’ on some and single slashes on others. I can only assume that this is marking which buildings are to be torn down and which are to remain standing.

The creepy 'crying' windows at Medfield State Hospital.

It was easy for me to get lost in thinking of what the place was like when it was active having seen so many clichéd horror movies dealing with mental hospitals. It was only made creepier by the other security guard slowly patrolling around the grounds in his car. There were things about the Medfield State Hospital that were odd and added to the experience. Once such thing was the trails of white paint running underneath many windows of the buildings, it made it seem like the windows were crying which was really unsettling.

It may be a little unnerving to walk the grounds of the Medfield State Hospital but I would recommend it to anybody who likes a little bit of terror with their travels. If not there are plenty of other awesome places to check out like Noon Hill and the historic Peak and Dwight-Derby Houses. Medfield was a great spot for me and I think it has something for everybody’s tastes. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Noon Hill Reservation: From Rt. 3 take exit 20A to merge onto I-93 S, continue onto Rt. 1 S, continue onto I-95 N. Take exit 16B for Rt. 109 W., follow 7.6 mi., turn left onto South St., turn left onto Rt. 27 S., take 1^st right onto South St., take 3^rd right onto Noonhill Rd., parking area is on the left.

Medfield State Hospital: From Rt. 3 take exit 20A to merge onto I-93 S, continue onto Rt. 1 S, continue onto I-95 N. Take exit 16B for Rt. 109 W., follow 7.7 mi., turn right onto North St., take a slight left onto Harding St., slight left onto Hospital Rd. Main entrance to hospital grounds is .7 mi. up on right. I parked across the street when I visited.

References: Medfield, Ma. - Official Town Site

Medfield Historical Society.org

Rise and Fall of the Medfield State Hospital - Medfield.Patch.com - 03/04/11

In My Footsteps: Trip 116: Newton, Massachusetts

2011-05-18T14:38:00.001-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 116: Newton, Massachusetts

March 30, 2011

Ranked third on the list of best places to live by CNN Money for 2010 the city of Newton is unique for a variety of reasons. First is the fact that it is made up of a whopping twelve ‘villages’ which is amazing in and of itself. Though it is a suburb of Boston, Newton has a feel of its own, not merely a smaller Boston. It is also known for the famous ‘Heartbreak Hill’ which is part of the Boston Marathon. A fun bit of trivia is that the Fig Newton cookie is named for the city.

City Hall from the walking bridge.

I began by visiting the Heartbreak Hill area which is close to City Hall. I did not run it but it did look imposing. I knew Newton was special when their City Hall was such a cool area. From where I parked I crossed over a small creek thanks to a bridge to get to the building. I don’t know many City Halls with bridges and creeks around them. I stuck around in the warm spring sun shooting for a bit but there was so much more to see in the twelve villages of Newton.

I took a spin down to Crystal Lake in the village of Newton Highlands next. Being a fan of the Friday the 13th movies when I heard the name Crystal Lake I immediately began to think of the famed horror movie franchise. Luckily for me the lake is nothing like that. In fact the majority of the shore is dotted with private homes; the recreation and swimming area is relatively small. The beach area was seemingly only large enough for a few people, though there is another swimming area that I did not visit which might be larger. The crews were cleaning up the picnic area in anticipation of the upcoming season while I was there so I did not hang out there very long.

An historic home I checked out after Crystal Lake is far more important in the history of America than any other in the city as far as I am concerned. The Jackson Homestead is so meaningful because of the fact that it was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. William Jackson, who was elected to Congress in 1832, was associated with other abolitionists which led to him using his home as part of the Underground Railroad.

Jackson Homestead and Museum

Located on Washington Street the home was built in 1809 and stands out with its yellow exterior and green shutters. It became a museum showcasing the early history of Newton in 1950 after being given to the city a year earlier. It is open year round but closed on Mondays and most major holidays. The tours show you areas such as the cellar where runaway slaves may have hidden during the time that the house was used on the Underground Railroad. It is a very deep and unique experience to say the least.

As you know by now the natural beauty of the places I visit are what I enjoy the most and this was the case in Newton as well. In the village of Newton Upper Falls there is a really great place called Hemlock Gorge, named for the trees which cluster around the gorge. It is known more for Echo Bridge which I will get to in a moment, but this small area along the Charles River needs to be expanded on a bit more.

The dam at Hemlock Gorge

The first thing I did was follow the sound of the rushing water to a small dam where a muskrat or something like that was swimming around. The water runs north and continues underneath Rt. 9. I never did see that muskrat again once I shot some photos of the dam. After shooting that area I began to walk my way up the rocky cliff faces of Hemlock Gorge toward Echo Bridge. The cliffs get pretty high, well thirty feet or so which is high when it’s a drop onto more rocks below. The views are amazing though, just watch your step.

Echo Bridge

Echo Bridge, completed in 1877, was an aqueduct which carried water from the Sudbury River to Boston during its prime. It is no longer in use but is still maintained by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. There are two observation areas associated with the bridge. The one I checked is underneath it which is where visitors can hear the echoes of the flowing water against the stone arch of the bridge overhead. While I believe this to be the case the water was so calm when I was there that the only echo I heard was that of a pair of geese arguing on the other side of the river. I did enjoy the peace and serenity of Hemlock Gorge despite not hearing any echoes underneath the bridge.

Newton may be made up of twelve villages but there is one vibe to the city when you arrive. Whether you want to see a piece of American history in the Jackson Homestead, or take in a more natural spot like Hemlock Gorge you cannot go wrong. Make sure to try to time it right to catch the Charles River when it’s a little rougher going under Echo Bridge. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Jackson Homestead and Museum: From Rt. 3 take exit 20B for I-93 N, take exit 20 toward Worcester. Merge onto I-90 W, take exit 17 toward Newton. Take a slight left onto Washington St., after .6 mi., turn right onto Jackson Rd. Museum is on left.

Hemlock Gorge: From Rt. 3 take exit 20A toward I-95, continue onto Rt. 1, continue onto I-95 N, take exit 19B. Merge onto Highland Ave., turn right Gould St., turn right onto Central Ave., continue onto Elliot St. Turn left at Chestnut St., take 1^st left onto Ellis St., there is a small parking area on the right at the intersection.

References: Best Places to Live 2010 - Newton, Ma.

City of Newton, Ma.

Historic Newton.org

In My Footsteps: Trip 115: Attleboro, Massachusetts

2011-05-13T19:27:00.001-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 115: Attleboro, Massachusetts

February 24, 2011

Once known as the ‘Jewelry Capital of the World’ because of its many jewelry manufacturers the city of Attleboro is filled with amazing places to see. Much like Foxborough the town’s name has been seen written two different ways. It was incorporated as a separate town from Rehoboth in 1694 and was spelled as ‘Attleborough.’ It was reincorporated as ‘Attleboro’ in 1914 and ironically the town of North Attleborough kept the original spelling which I found a bit odd but it does keep the towns separate.

Falls Fire Barn Museum

I began my trip in North Attleborough by checking out the Falls Fire Barn Museum. Built in 1893 the building on Commonwealth Avenue was a fully operational fire station until 1976. The pastel blue building is now a fire museum as well as town museum in general.

Anybody that visits Attleboro quickly hears of the name ‘Capron.’ The Capron family is credited by some as being the first settlers of Attleboro. Banfield Capron, listed as the Capron in the colonies is seen as the patriarch of the family that settled Attleboro; he arrived in 1674. John Capron, born in 1797, seems to be the most well known member of the family. He was a state legislator, military officer, and along with his two sons he established one of the first textile mills in the nearby town of Uxbridge.

Capron House c.1740

The Capron House on North Street, built in 1740, was originally lived in by Banfield Capron’s son Joseph. The red and yellow house though is only the tip of the iceberg of where the Capron name is seen throughout Attleboro. Dennis Capron owned more than 100 acres of land that he farmed during the mid-19^th century, part of this land would go on to become a big part of modern day Attleboro.

Heirs of Dennis Capron, descended from Joseph, donated the land for Capron Park in 1901. In the 1920’s a fund drive was started to create a children’s zoo on the park lands. Capron Park Zoo opened in 1937. Of the thirty-three acres donated for the park eight of them were set aside to create the small zoo.

Entrance to Capron Park Zoo

In an ironic twist I spent a lot of time walking around the park grounds, so much in fact that when it came time to go inside the main zoo building it was closed. Although I do regret not getting to go inside the zoo itself I did enjoy my walk around the park grounds. There are many different statues and pieces of art that are hard to pass by. I think a sunny, warmer day might have been better for the photos themselves but even on a cold, raw day I still found a lot to see. I enjoyed the statues commemorating the Civil War as well as the pretty marble patterned one that featured the Spanish-American War. The only bright side to missing out on going inside the zoo is that it gives me a reason to head back to Attleboro when I get the chance.

Angle Tree Stone

Saving the best for last is a unique spot back in North Attleborough. If you don’t keep your eyes open you will miss it as I did a couple of times. Set back a quarter mile from the road is the Angle Tree Stone. In a nutshell it is the border marker between North Attleborough and Plainville. Built in 1790 the term ‘Angle Tree’ comes from the fact that an actual tree once designated the border between the Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth Colonies and was replaced by the slate pillar. The ‘angle’ word is because the county border turns at an angle when it reaches the stone.

It is a cool walk back to where the stone resides. In 1985 it was put inside a brick building with plexi-glass windows to save it from weather and vandalism. The glass is a bit clouded which made clear photos a tough chore. Also any straight on shot featured my own reflection so all of my good shots came from an angle, ironically. Despite those problems the stone itself is an impressive sight knowing it is more than 200 years old. I do wish I could have laid my hands on it, but what are you going to do?

The Capron name is well known in Attleboro to this day with the famous zoo but there is much more to see in this city. After checking the zoo out take some time to visit the Falls Fire Barn Museum and Angle Tree Stone in North Attleborough as well. The stone is a perfect end to a trip to the Attleboro towns. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Capron Park Zoo: From I-495 take exit 10 for Rt. 123. Follow Rt. 123 7.3 miles, turn right onto Emory St., continue onto County St., zoo will be on the right.

Angle Tree Stone: From I-495 take exit 14B for Rt. 1, follow 4 miles turn right onto Fisher St. Turn left onto N. Washington St., take 2^nd right onto High Street, follow 1.5 miles, dirt road for stone is on right, keep your eyes open.

References: The Sun Chronicle - Capron Family Article 4/12/11

Capron Park Zoo.com

North Attleborough, Ma. History - Angle Tree Stone

In My Footsteps: Trip 114: Woonsocket, Rhode Island

2011-05-03T21:10:00.001-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 114: Woonsocket, Rhode Island

February 24, 2011

Lying directly south of the Massachusetts border the city of Woonsocket is one of the largest in the state of Rhode Island yet maintains a smaller town feel. Now the corporate headquarters of CVS Pharmacy when Woonsocket began it was home to three separate tribes of Native Americans. The Nipmucs, Wampanoags, and Narragansetts were the tribes and when Roger Williams purchased the land in 1661 the town was referred to in a letter as ‘Niswosakit,’ a possible precursor to the Woonsocket name.

Market Square Pavilion

A perfect place to start a trip into Woonsocket is at Market Square. It is an actual road between S. Main St. and Bernon St., but I stopped for an unusual structure located at the edge of a parking area. The first center of Woonsocket, Market Square is home to the unique Market Square Pavilion. It is a really cool brick structure on the corner of Market Square and stands where another well known historic building once stood. The pavilion stands where the old George C. Ballou Mill stood from 1846 to the 1960’s. Seeing the downtown area of Woonsocket it is hard to imagine a mill fitting in, that is until you turn to the west and catch the sound of the rushing water.

Located only steps from Market Square is Woonsocket Falls, the largest waterfall on the Blackstone River. Woonsocket Falls was a sort of double-edged sword for residents for a long time in the city. While it provided power for the city’s industrial growth it also frequently flooded. Records show this from as far back as 1807. The most recent flood in 1955 caused the dam to be restructured into the current concrete and steel structure.

Woonsocket Falls

The sight and sound of the rushing water can be hypnotic and I found it easy to lose myself in time just staring at the falls as the water flowed underneath the street continuing its trip down the Blackstone. There was some work being done on the dam on this day but I am sure it wasn’t anything too serious.

A great place to park and take a walk is the area around Woonsocket’s City Hall. The City Hall building is an impressive sight; it was originally known as the Harris Block when it was built in 1856. This building was the first public library in the state of Rhode Island with President Abraham Lincoln actually speaking inside of it in 1860. There was a large addition to the building in 1889 and it officially became the City Hall in 1902.

Where I parked, almost directly across the street from City Hall was an amazing colorful mural with the words ‘Keep Woonsocket Beautiful’ painted across it. I have had trouble finding out information about this mural but it ended up being a really pretty surprise when I was there just to shoot City Hall. Also within walking distance of City Hall are two more historic landmarks of Woonsocket.

Mural in the parking area across from City Hall.

The Harris Warehouse on Railroad Street looks like something out of a horror film. Built in 1855 it is a three-story gray and white brick building. The woolen mill was built by leading Woonsocket citizen Edward Harris; he also was the man behind the Harris Block which as I mentioned became City Hall. At its peak the Harris Woolen Company had six mills employing over 1,000 people. Only two remain today including the eerily beautiful one on Railroad Street.

On the corner of Main Street and High Street is the Woonsocket Depot, a former railroad station built by the Providence and Worcester Railroad in 1882. Today it is the headquarters of the Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor. I liked the clock on top of the building which was a green and brown color reminding me of a chocolate mint for obvious reasons. In addition to the mural across from City Hall there is actually another one on the side of City Hall which is a little obscured by trees.

Stadium Theatre

Finally only a few hundred feet from the former Woonsocket Depot is the Stadium Theatre. It was built in 1926 under the supervision of R.E. Hall who also supervised the construction of the Paramount Theatre in New York City. The Stadium Theatre stopped daily operations in the 1970’s but thanks to the efforts of the ‘Save Our Stadium’ Committee the theatre was purchased in 1998 and restored to its former glory. It still runs today and the Wizard of Oz and Annie were among the shows playing there when I was in town.

Just across the Massachusetts border Woonsocket is a city with a lot to see. Market Square and Woonsocket Falls are just the beginning, a walk around the center of the city will lead you to many historic and beautiful spots that will make the walking seem less of a chore! You will definitely enjoy your time in Woonsocket. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Market Square: From I-495 N take exit 16 for Woonsocket, turn left onto King St. Continue onto Washington St, then Pulaski Blvd, total of 6.5 mi. Continue onto Rt. 126, continue onto Main St., after .3 mi. Main Street turns slightly right and becomes Market Square. Parking is on right, Woonsocket Falls is within earshot when you park.

City Hall: From I-495 N take exit 16 for Woonsocket, turn left onto King St. Continue onto Washington St, then Pulaski Blvd, total of 6.5 mi. Continue onto Rt. 126, continue onto Main St. total of 1.5 mi. Parking is on left, Harris Warehouse, Woonsocket Depot, and Stadium Theatre are within walking distance back north, you will pass them all on the way to City Hall.

References: Woonsocket.org

Stadium Theatre.com

Woonsocket, RI - Official Site

In My Footsteps: Trip 113: Smithfield, RI

2011-04-27T10:26:00.001-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 113: Smithfield, Rhode Island

February 24, 2011

With a rich, and sometimes controversial history, the small town of Smithfield is a very interesting place to visit. Settled by British colonists in the 1600’s as a farming village Smithfield was considered a part of neighboring Providence until it was incorporated as its own town in 1731. Once known as ‘Apple Valley’ due to its many orchards in the early 20^th century Smithfield is now more of a suburban area though not losing its grip on small town charm.

Smithfield Exchange Bank

The first place I stopped which captured the quieter side of Smithfield was the Stillwater Reservoir, also known as Stump Pond on Log Road. There are many spots to stop and walk or fish, I stopped at the appropriately named Stump Pond Fishing Area. The pond was covered in ice and snow but the views from the boat ramp were impressive. There is an even better view further up the road where Log Road splits between Stump Pond on the right and a smaller pond on the left. The only trouble was finding a safe spot to park to get out to shoot those photos.

I did a little park and walk near the center of town to get a better view of a building famous to those who live in Smithfield. The Smithfield Exchange Bank, or Resolved Waterman Tavern, on Putnam Pike has long been purported to be haunted so of course I had to go and check it out for myself.

Winter at Georgiaville Pond

I parked at a nearby law office and crossed over to where the Smithfield Exchange Bank is located. It was a little different experience as the building is undergoing repairs so it was not in its natural state. Of course I did not see or hear anything out of the ordinary while I was next to the historic building but that does not mean that it is not in fact haunted. Despite the fact that I did not see or hear anything I did enjoy my walk around the downtown area of Smithfield.

The next place I visited was Georgiaville Pond, located in the historic village of Georgiaville. The controversial history I spoke of in Smithfield has to do with the Ku Klux Klan meetings which took place in Georgiaville during the 1920’s. The village was named for the Georgia Cotton Mill located near Higgins Street. I had to park on the outside of the Georgiaville Pond parking area since it was closed, but a little walking did not hurt.

The Smithfield 'flag stop' station.

The beach at the end of the parking lot showcases much of the massive pond which extends almost a mile all the way up to the end of the Smith-Appleby House property. There is a pair of small islands just to the left of the beach which I imagine must be a lot of fun to swim to during the summer. It was cool but not cold at Georgiaville Pond and without anybody else around it was a really peaceful experience. I think this would be a great spot to visit during the summer.

The crown jewel of Smithfield for me was definitely the Smith-Appleby House on Stillwater Rd. It was here where the snow pack in Smithfield made the experience all the better. I was the lone car at the end of the driveway and was able to fully enjoy the grounds with the hum of I-295 in the distance.

The pale-yellow home at one point stood on 700 acres of land, it began as forty acres granted to John Smith by Roger Williams. It has since dwindled down to the current seven acres it stands on, but that is more than enough to take in. Before I even got to the house there was an interesting item to my right: a small railroad station. The station is the same color as the house and was first located on Brayton Road off of Farnum Pike when it was built in 1873. This tiny station was what is known as a ‘flag stop.’ That means that the train would only stop there if a red flag was hanging from the front of the building to alert the conductor that there was fright, mail, or passengers at the station. It was used until 1931 and fell into disrepair until being purchased and brought to the grounds of the Smith-Appleby House in 1975. Now it looks much like it must have when it originally opened.

View of the Smith-Appleby House from the cemetery on the hill.

I enjoyed walking down behind the house and over a small creek to where an old cemetery dating back to the 1760’s sits on a hill. Unfortunately most of the oldest graves are marked by regular stones and only one has any sort of etching on it; the rest are a mystery. The view of the house from the cemetery hill is amazing. I think the snow covered land added to it, but I also imagine that being there in the summer when everything is in bloom must be even better.

The history of Smithfield may be rich and a bit controversial but there is no denying it is a nice small town to make part of a day trip or longer if you so desire. I do think that a summer visit might help a visitor appreciate it more as I mentioned there were several great spots that I could imagine look even better with flowers and trees in bloom. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Smith-Appleby House: From I-295 S take exit 8A for Rt. 7 S. Follow 1 mi. turn right at Limerock Rd., right onto Ridge Rd. Continue onto Stillwater Rd. house is on left.

Georgiaville Pond: From I-295 S take exit 8A for Rt. 7 S. Follow 1 mi. turn right at Limerock Rd., right onto Ridge Rd, take 1^st left onto Stillwater Rd., continue onto Cross St. Turn right onto Whipple Ave., turn right onto Higgins St., take sharp right onto Stillwater Rd. Pond entrance is on left.

References: Smithfield, RI.com - History

Smith Appleby House.org

Smithfield, RI - Official Town Site

In My Footsteps: Trip 112: Georgetown, Mass.

2011-04-16T20:11:00.001-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 112: Georgetown, Massachusetts

March 9, 2011

Sign marking site of Goodrich Massacre.

Originally settled as the West Parish of Rowley by a group of farmers looking for fertile meadowlands the small town of Georgetown has a long history. Georgetown was called New Rowley until it was large enough to be incorporated on its own in 1838. It is now considered a distant suburb of the amazing North Shore.

Brocklebank House

Though the colony was not directly involved in King Philip’s War, from 1675-76, it was the recipient of Native American raids. This tied in directly to the first place I visited once I entered Georgetown. On North Street sits an unassuming sign, what it says is very important though. It marks the site of the Goodrich Massacre which happened in 1692. The story is that Benjamin Goodrich, his wife, and two daughters were killed by a group of Native Americans during their evening prayer. There is no known reason for the slaughter but it is an anomaly as there are so few Native American massacre sites on the North Shore. Besides the sign there is not much to see. There is a regular home on the grounds and I was not okay with walking the ten ‘rods,’ or about 165 feet, to the proper site of the massacre.

While stopping periodically to photograph various historic homes I ended up having a pretty odd experience. The spot I was supposed to shoot was the Samuel Brocklebank House. I parked across the street from it at the end of Elm Street in front of a very eerie dark green antiques shop building. The name said Auntie Lil’s and I cannot find much information about it. The reason it was an odd experience was the banging on the windows when I stepped out of my car. I made a point to stop and look around for any people moving around in a neighboring house but there was nothing as far as I saw.

Auntie Lil's antiques, haunted?

I went and shot the Brocklebank House and returned to my car only to hear the same banging on the windows of the old antiques shop. It intrigued me so much that I took a few photos of the building hoping to maybe see something in one of the windows. There was nothing but I would love to hear if anybody else ever heard or saw something around that building or if it was just my imagination.

The Brocklebank House was built in the late 1600’s with the land the house stands on being deeded to surveyor Samuel Brocklebank in 1661. Brocklebank was killed in 1676 during King Philip’s War but the house remained in his family until 1754 when it was sold and turned into a tavern. There is a sign depicting a redcoat soldier with the year 1754 on it which I figure represents the time the home became a tavern. It was under repair while I was there which made visiting inside impossible.

Georgetown Town Offices, home of 'Old Nancy.'

Something I found interesting about Georgetown was the fact that their town hall was not always used as such. The yellow building where the town offices reside was formerly a school, the Central School built in 1905. Inside the historic old school sits ‘Old Nancy.’ Old Nancy is a Revolutionary War cannon supposedly taken from the British warship ‘Nancy’ which was captured off of Gloucester. The best part of the story is that the cannon was left by major Eben Boynton to his two sons, one from New Rowley(Georgetown) and the other from Rowley. The cannon has spent time in both towns and they both lay claim to it as their own.

A small town with a rich history Georgetown is a spot that everyone will enjoy. Take the time to visit the historical society at the Brocklebank House and gaze upon ‘Old Nancy’ the Revolutionary War cannon. Also if anybody knows whether Auntie Lil’s antiques shop is haunted let me know. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Brocklebank House: From I-95 N take exit 54B for Rt. 133/E. Main St. Follow 2 miles, house will be on the right. Auntie Lil’s antiques is across the street.

Georgetown Town Hall: From I-95 N take exit 53B for Rt. 97 N. Follow 3.5 mi., turn right at Library St., town hall is on right.

References: Georgetown Historical Society

Georgetown, Ma. - Official Town Site

In My Footsteps: Trip 111: Ipswich, Mass. - Trip 2

2011-04-07T19:13:00.004-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 111: Ipswich, Massachusetts

March 9, 2011

Yet another amazing jewel of the North Shore of Massachusetts the town of Ipswich is bursting at the seams with history. This was not my first time visiting Ipswich though I will admit that my first trip and article were subpar for me. I did not get the chance to see a lot of what I wanted to due to time constraints. This time I made certain that all of the sites of Ipswich passed before my eyes and were captured by my camera.

John Whipple House c. 1677

Originally called ‘Agawam’ by the local Native Americans Ipswich got its name from the corresponding town in Suffolk, England in 1634. The first European settlers became farmers, fishermen, and shipbuilders while the Ipswich River provided water power for mills. At the turn of the 20^th century however it was stockings, made by the Ipswich Hosiery Mills, which became the town’s greatest export.

The sheer number of historic homes in Ipswich is mind boggling, though it shouldn’t have surprised me that much since the town has nearly 400 years of history. Rather than try to shoot all of these homes as I tend to try in other towns I chose to concentrate solely on the 17^th century homes which are so rare to still be standing. I photographed nine homes built before 1700 in Ipswich, there might be more I am not sure but that is an unbelievable amount of houses from that era. Each home has the date it was built as well as the original occupant. I don’t believe that any of them had historical significance, I suppose just the fact that they still stand is significant enough.

Choate Bridge

One of the 17^th century homes that has historic significance is the John Whipple House on South Main Street. The first thing I noticed about this home was the fact that the year it was built has been changed on the sign. The year 1677 is in bright paint yet underneath can clearly be seen the year 1655. I have since discovered that the reason for this change in the established year is due to a dendrochronology test in 2005. This is the process of tree-ring dating. This test proved the earliest part of the house was built in 1677. John Whipple was a British soldier and entrepreneur. It was restored and has been a museum since 1899.

The last time I visited Ipswich I missed out on a few awesome places located a short walk from the Whipple House. This time I was able to check them out and it was so rewarding. One spot is the Choate Bridge which crosses over the Ipswich River. The bridge is the oldest surviving double arch bridge in the United States having been erected in 1764. The ‘Choate’ name comes from Col. John Choate, local treasurer who supervised the construction and was also the first person to cross over the completed bridge, by horse. There is a great view of the river from the bridge but the best view comes from taking a tour on the Ipswich Historic Riverwalk.

Part of the mural along the Ipswich Riverwalk.

The Riverwalk was recently completed in 2005 with a twelve-foot wide bridge crossing over the Ipswich River just below the old hosiery mill dam. The water rushes underneath you and is mesmerizing. Once you get across to the other side there is a stunning mural painted along the side of the EBSCO Publishing parking deck building. The mural basically shows the history of Ipswich as well as America from the beginning up to now. I say up to now because in the final section of the mural there is a modern cookout going on with one of the people wearing a Tom Brady jersey.

The Inn at Castle Hill

Once again I ended my time in Ipswich with one of my favorite places I have been to thus far: Castle Hill. It was a spot well known to the local Native Americans for centuries and became farmland when John Winthrop Jr., son of the first governor of Massachusetts, laid claim to the land in 1637. It is on the way to Crane Beach, which can be accessed from this property along the walking trails. I cannot explain the majesty of this area, not only the natural beauty but the amazing architecture of The Great House.

The Great House sits atop the actual Castle Hill. It was built in 1928 and includes fifty-nine rooms. There are concerts on the property during the summer but even visiting now at the end of winter it was a great time. The lawn is at the rear of the property is incredible. It was not so much anything about the grass, but more of the spaciousness of it. I can only describe it as a hundred foot wide swath of green which starts at the back of the Great House and slopes down for as far as the eye can see. I was in awe of the scope of this landscaping marvel. There are trails which encircle the property and I found out beforehand that much of The Next Karate Kid and The Witches of Eastwick were filmed on the grounds.

The enormous rear lawn at Castle Hill.

A lot of the garden areas along the sides of the mansion are in disarray and inaccessible but I was able to see enough to imagine what it must have looked like when it was brand new. Even on a raw and windy day I took my time and enjoyed the sights until my hands were too numb to shoot anymore photos. I highly recommend taking the time to fully engross yourself in the natural and architectural wonder of Castle Hill.

Whether strolling the grounds at Castle Hill, crossing the Ipswich River on the Riverwalk, or simply going on the hunt for 17^th century homes the beautiful North Shore town of Ipswich is something to behold. I am so glad I went back and visited the right way, that’s the only real way to do it! Have fun and happy traveling!

For a video showcasing Castle Hill check out YouTube.com - Castle Hill.

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Castle Hill: From Rt. 128 North take Exit 20A, take Rt. 1A North for 8 mi. to Ipswich. Turn right onto Rt. 133 East and follow for 1.5 mi. Turn left onto Northgate Rd. and follow for 0.5 mi. Turn right onto Argilla Rd. and follow for 2.3 mi. to entrance.

Whipple House: From Rt. 1 north take a right at Ipswich Rd., continue onto Topsfield Rd. Continue onto Market Street, turn right at S. Main Street. Turn sharply right at S. Village Green where Whipple House is. Choate Bridge and Ipswich Riverwalk are a short walk away back down S. Main St.

References: Ipswich, Ma.com

The Trustees.org - Castle Hill

Ipswich Museum.org

In My Footsteps: Trip 110: Foxborough, Massachusetts

2011-04-04T21:14:00.001-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 110: Foxborough, Massachusetts

February 17, 2011

When I say the name Foxborough, or Foxboro, most people get an image of the NFL’s New England Patriots. Why not? They have been one of the most successful franchises in all of sports over the past decade. Still, despite that being what most outsiders know of when they hear the name Foxborough there is a lot more to see in this small town. That does not mean I am not going to gush over my awesome time at Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place, it just means that I am going to tell you about more than just that.

Memorial Hall

One place that is really cool is the Memorial Hall on South Street. It is a Civil War memorial but unlike the normal ones that I have seen on the grounds of many town halls. This one actually looks like a mausoleum and there is the small Centre Burial Ground next to it as well. The building was erected in 1868 and there is another building based on it situated in Aurora, Illinois. I was here near sunset so the brown and rust colors of the stones of the building were really accentuated by the orange glow of the sun. There was a good amount of snow on the ground which made checking out the collection of gravestones a little tough but the overall experience was really neat.

The Memorial Hall sits directly across the street from the Foxborough town green so of course I took my time to walk around there. I love the town greens that are a bit circular in design where the cars go round and the buildings create a sort of outline encasing the green. Foxborough’s green was like that, coupled with the slowly setting sun it was a nice walk. There are a few memorials along the way and there is also a sign showing the ‘proper’ way to spell Foxborough, even though it is seen both ways.

Paine School(right), Reservoir at Powder House Hill(left).

An intriguing spot I caught out of the corner of my eye ended up being a good sidetrack. There were two buildings in the back of a parking lot off of South Street behind the town hall. The first building is the recently restored Paine School which is all white with two red doors. It was originally built 1790 and has been carefully brought back to its former glory thanks to tireless work of local businesses and volunteers.

A view from Foxborough's town green.

Right behind the Paine School is a different looking stone structure on a hill. It is in need of some repair but was neat to check out. The snowpack made walking up the stairs a bit of a chore but I made it. The building in question is called the Reservoir at Powder House Hill. The stubby granite building is one of the most unique structures I have seen thus far. It was built in 1858 by the Union Straw Works but the hill originally did house a powder house. This was when the town decided to stop storing their gun powder in the garret at the Meeting House on Foxborough Common. At one time there was a windmill which drew power to the odd-shaped granite building that was subsequently sent via gravity to a plant on Wall Street. There were plans in the early 20^th century to try to use the Reservoir as a museum but those were not possible and now the building sits stoically behind the Paine School. I am very glad that I happened to spot it out of the corner of my eye as I passed the Town Hall.

I did my part to showcase the other places Foxborough has to offer but I would not end the article without mentioning my amazing time at Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place. I had not been to Patriot Place since its opening in 2007 but found its 1.3 million square feet to be quite a sight. It is an outdoor shopping center complete with streets to walk between stores which is something I had never experienced before.

Having been a Patriots fan since I was a kid, including going to many games during their terrible period of the late-1980’s to early-1990’s, just being around the stadium was awesome. I had a memorable experience getting to have lunch in the shadow of the stadium since football season was over. I got to enjoy Five Guys burgers and fries for the first time and it blew me away. I highly recommend choosing to eat there if you haven’t. It was an hour drive for me to get to Foxborough and that was not too far for me to consider going back up there just to eat at Five Guys again.

The field at Gillette Stadium.

After eating I got out and took a walk around the stadium area getting to see the immense CBS Scene and the Hall at Patriot Place. What the Kraft family, the team’s owner, has done is make an area usually only populated from late-August to January a destination year-round. I even got some amazing shots of the field from a nearby iron gate. I did my due diligence and asked a guard if I could go out onto the field for a few shots. He actually thought about it for a moment but the thought of getting in trouble stopped him. I don’t blame him.

All in all it was a great time in Foxborough, I will not lie that Gillette was the highlight for me but it was not the only bright spot. The walk on the town green and finding the Reservoir at Powder House Hill were both amazing in their own right. I know most visitors will spend the vast majority of their time at Gillette but I do recommend finding a few of the other great places to make your time in Foxborough complete. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Gillette Stadium/Patriot Place: From I-495 take exit 14A for Rt. 1 N. Follow 4.5 miles, take exit for Rt. 1 S. The stadium and Patriot Place cannot be missed.

Paine School/Reservoir at Powder House Hill: From I-495 take exit 13A merging onto I-95 N. Take exit 7B merging onto Rt. 140 N., continue onto Central St. Follow .6 mi. turn left at Liberty St., take 1^st right to stay on Liberty, take 1^st left onto South St. Take 1^st left just after the town hall to find both places.

Memorial Hall: From I-495 take exit 13A merging onto I-95 N. Take exit 7B merging onto Rt. 140 N., continue onto Central St. Follow .6 mi. turn left at Liberty St., take 1^st right to stay on Liberty, take 1^st right onto South St. Memorial Hall is on right just before town green.

References: Patriot Place.com

Five Guys.com

Foxborough Official Town Page

In My Footsteps: Trip 109: Sharon, Massachusetts

2011-03-31T10:47:00.001-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 109: Sharon, Massachusetts

February 17, 2011

Located just north of one of my favorite spots, Easton, and even sharing one of the sites I am covering, the town of Sharon is very similar but also very different from its neighbor. I found it fascinating that the town’s name comes from the Sharon Plain in Israel because of the amount of forest that existed on the land.

Lake Massapoag

As with several other towns in this area of Massachusetts there is a great mix of historic and natural beauty. I tried my best to see as much of both as I could but found myself gravitating toward the natural beauty more. A spot I enjoyed was Lake Massapoag specifically Memorial Park Beach on the north side. The name comes from the Algonquin word meaning ‘large water.’

There was only one problem and that was the snowpack which made walking down to the water’s edge pretty tough. I parked across the street and walked in. I ended up sinking in up to my knees over and over but eventually made it to the water. The area used to be a minor summer resort due to its proximity but those old summer cottages are now year-round homes. I can see why the lake is so popular even in the dead of winter. The views were spectacular. I would recommend viewing them when it is warmer, or at least when there is less snow.

Collecting sap at Moose Hill

Another beautiful spot to take in is the Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary. Here the snow made the scenery even better. I walked through some of the trails but I will admit that the heavy snow pack made it slow going. The 347 acre conservation area sports the 466-foot tall Moose Hill, second in size only to Great Blue Hill in Weymouth between Boston and Providence. The hillsides also house some rare American chestnut trees which used to be plentiful until a bark fungus nearly exterminated them. I also got to see some buckets collecting sap from maple trees, a classic New England scene with the snow adding to it. I highly recommend checking out Moose Hill when the warmer weather arrives, I think I am going to do the same.

As great as Lake Massapoag and Moose Hill were as far as scenery went there was one place very familiar to me that topped them both. Borderland State Park which straddles the line between Sharon and Easton is a beautiful area that I was really happy to get to see again. The 1,782 acre Borderland State Park has a Frisbee golf course, gigantic open fields, horseback riding, and the picturesque Leaches Pond.

The Borderland mansion

The last time I visited Borderland it was spring and all of the flowers and trees were in bloom. This time it was the dead of winter but that didn’t take away from it. On this day it was quite warm and there was a lot of melting snow which made the dirt paths muddy. Still, that was no deterrent for me as I had another chance to check out the crown jewel of Borderland.

The land on which the park stands was purchased by Oakes Ames and his wife Blanche in 1906. The name ‘Borderland’ was given to the three-story stone mansion built on the grounds in 1910. The last time I was there when I visited Easton I did not spend as much time at the mansion as I should have; the fact that everything was in bloom sort of distracted me. This time I was more of a detective checking out every inch possible of the hundred year old home.

How my favorite tree looks in spring.

For those of you unfamiliar with my Easton article the Ames family is perhaps the most well known in that town. Patriarch Oaks Ames served in the House of Representatives from 1863 to 1873 and was also a key person in the completion of the Union Pacific portion of the United States Transcontinental Railroad. Ames was asked to take over the Union Pacific section by President Lincoln who was busy with the Civil War.

Ames was also marred in controversy due to his involvement in the Credit Mobilier of America Scandal of 1872. Ames sold shares of stock in the Credit Mobilier loan company for well below market value which meant that the profit margins were much less than anticipated and in the end many investors as well as Union Pacific were nearly bankrupt. The Ames Memorial Hall in Easton was built by his children in an attempt to ease some of the hard feelings against their father.

All of that aside the mansion and the rest of the park is magnificent. On this day I ventured behind the mansion and was able to get a better view of it. The rolling hill leading away from the mansion was really cool, looking like a perfect spot for sledding. I was a little disappointed that my favorite tree, I believe it's a dogwood, was not in bloom. During the previous spring it had some amazing pinkish-purple blossoms that made for a lot of great photos.

Sharon ended up being a perfect companion to neighboring Easton including the fact that they share Borderland State Park. There are several nature preserves and conservation areas to see that will probably be even better when the snow is only a memory like Moose Hill. Still, visiting Sharon should not be predicated on time of year, it can be enjoyed anytime. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Borderland State Park: From I-495 heading north take Exit 7A for Rt. 24 north. Take Exit 16B to merge with Rt. 106, follow 5 miles and turn right at Poquanticut Ave. Turn left at Massapoag Ave, follow 2 miles, park will be on right.

Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary: From I-495 take Exit 13A for I-95 N. Take Exit 8 for S. Main St. toward Sharon. Follow 1.2 mi. turn left at Walpole St., turn right at Moose Hill St. Follow 1.3 miles to headquarters.

References: Borderland State Park

Sharon Historical Society.org

Town of Sharon - Official Site

In My Footsteps: Trip 108: Canton, Massachusetts

2011-03-23T20:31:00.001-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 108: Canton, Massachusetts

February 17, 2011

Being a huge fan of all things outdoors it surprised me that I had not yet paid a visit to the Blue Hills Reservation. It is 7,000 acres of amazing views and natural beauty stretching through several different towns. For my trip I decided to hike up Great Blue Hill which straddles the line between Milton and Canton, the subject of this article.

The otter at the Trailside Museum.

Great Blue Hill reaches 635 feet up into the sky with the Blue Hills Ski Area on the southern side of the mini-mountain, the Canton side. I parked at the ski area lot and was immediately sidetracked from my hike up Great Blue Hill by something just as cool. There is a Trailside Museum run by the Massachusetts Audubon Society at the foot of Great Blue Hill accompanied by a small collection of animals native to the area.

I was particularly enamored with a pair of white-tailed Deer who were very friendly and came over to the fence to become better photo subjects. There was also an adorable otter in a circular tank. It acted relatively normal until it spotted me; then it put on a show by swimming back and forth across the tank making sure to flip upside down to swim once it reached the wall. I ended up watching it for a while until I realized that there was still a big hike ahead of me.

Boston's skyline from atop Great Blue Hill

Despite there being a paved road leading up Great Blue Hill to the weather observatory the only way up the hill is by walking. The scenery was incredible. It was a weird sort of dichotomy as the temperature on this day hovered near sixty but after a very eventful winter there was a good foot of snow on the ground for the hike. I was warm and cold all at once.

Once the climb started getting near the top, much more vertical, I began to get glimpses through the trees of the surrounding landscape. The stone observatory building at the summit was really neat, the warmth was melting all of the snow on top of the roof and there was the constant sound of water falling.

There is a tower to climb where the views will blow you away. The Boston skyline is easily recognizable to the east. I will not try to name all of the other spots I saw at the summit of Great Blue Hill but it is very likely you will spend a good chunk of time just turning your head side to side to see as much as you can of the surrounding landscape. It was such a great way to begin my time in Canton.

Brookwood Farm in the shadow of Great Blue Hill.

Ironically the next spot I visited was made even better by the looming shadow of Great Blue Hill. The Brookwood Community Farm is another spot that straddles the line between Canton and Milton; it is a working organic farm with amazing scenery as well. The weather observatory on Great Blue Hill is clearly visible as you walk the grounds of Brookwood and it can distract you a bit from the lush farmland, not that I am complaining. It gave the farm a different feel.

The farm is on two different parcels of land. The one I visited is seventy acres and is on the Blue Hills Reservation. The other location, a ninety acre farm called the Bradley Estate, is a few minutes south. Not only does Brookwood sell their produce at the Milton and Roslindale Farmers Markets but anybody can be a volunteer and actually have a hand in creating that very same produce.

For the history lover in me I made a stop at the David Tilden House at Pequitside Farm. The red house built in 1725 sits back from Pleasant Street which made for a beautiful scene when coupled with the snow. Also when you park here you can cross the street and check out Reservoir Pond. The house is in a bit of disrepair and contributions can be made to help restore it. It was a little tough getting around the house thanks to the foot of snow but I did get several great photos while trudging through the snow.

David Tilden House c.1725

David Tilden was one of the earliest settlers of Canton and the land on which the home stands is the very same tract that Tilden purchased from the Ponkapoag tribe of Native Americans. The Pequitside Farm is thirty-three acres and owned by the town. The Colonial Era Main House is available for weddings and other functions. I imagine it must be an awesome place to have a get together when the weather is warm and the flowers are in bloom.

The final spot I visited in Canton was something that seemed very much out of place. The Canton Viaduct looks like something straight out of Ancient Rome but in reality it is one of the two oldest multiple arched stone railroad bridges in the United States. That is a lot of information but all you really need to know is that it is a spectacular site. I drove under it on Neponset Street to find a better place to park and get a great view.

The amazing Canton Viaduct

It literally looks like the aqueducts used in Ancient Rome. The Viaduct stands out yet somehow fits right in. It was built in 1835, is over 600 feet in length and crosses over the Canton River. There are two similar bridges to the Canton Viaduct in Russia and both were designed by a man who had a hand in the Viaduct. As a side note, the man was George Washington Whistler, his son, James, is the artist who painted the world renowned Whistler’s Mother in 1871. There is an entirely different article in that fact alone.

Whether hiking up Great Blue Hill, visiting Brookwood Farm, or standing in amazement next to the Viaduct the town of Canton is a fabulous place to spend the day. Although it may take longer as Great Blue Hill itself is a day trip. I highly recommend taking your time to enjoy all of what this small part of Greater Boston has to offer. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Great Blue Hill: From Rt. 3 take exit 20A to merge onto I-93 S., take exit 2B to merge onto Rt. 138 N. Parking for Great Blue Hill is 1.4 miles on right.

Brookwood Farm: From Rt. 3 take exit 20A to merge onto I-93 S., take exit 2B to merge onto Rt. 138 N. After a half mile turn right onto Blue Hill River Rd., Brookwood is .4 mi. on right.

Canton Viaduct: From Rt. 3 take exit 20A to merge onto I-93 S., take exit 1 to merge onto I-95 S. Take exit 11A to merge onto Neponset St. toward Canton. Follow just over 1.5 miles. The Viaduct will be ahead of you, parking is the difficult part there are areas a short walk away though.

References: Ski Blue Hills.com

Blue Hill.org

Brookwood Community Farm.org

Canton, Ma. Official Town Page

In My Footsteps: Trip 107: Newbury, Massachusetts

2011-03-17T19:13:00.002-04:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 107: Newbury, Massachusetts

January 9, 2011

Newbury should be included in any travels up to the North Shore. I separated it from Newburyport and Plum Island of my last article so as to make sure that it got its just due. The village of Plum Island as well as the villages of Old Town, known as Newbury Center, and Byfield are included when one speaks of Newbury. Newburyport is its own separate town. The first settlers of Newbury came from the town of Wiltshire, England and landed first in modern day Ipswich, then known as Agawam, before stopping where Newbury currently stands.

Coffin House

The history in Newbury extends nearly all the way back to the first settlers. That was apparent with the first place I visited, the Coffin House built in 1678. Located on High Road the house was originally purported to have been built in 1654 by descendant Joshua Coffin who wrote the history of Newbury in 1845. Modern science has come up with the more accurate date. It is set back a bit from the road brown with a blood red door. Walking up to it proved a bit tough as the snow surrounding the house was deep.

The house has more than doubled in size since 1712 as pieces were added to accommodate a growing family allowing them all to live under the same roof. The Coffin House was divided into two separate dwellings by two of the Coffin brothers in 1785. There are rooms in the home depicting life in the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th centuries. It is open to the public on the first and third Saturdays from June through mid-October.

Swett-Ilsley House

Only a stone’s throw away from the Coffin House on High Road is the Swett-Ilsley House. Though it does not look the part it is actually older than the Coffin House having been built in 1670. The reason that this house appears to be more modern is the fact that the original home was only one room and it has been expanded many times with its appearance now of 20^th century duplex.

This property was the first to be bought by the Historic New England group in 1911. When purchased some of the modern building layers were carefully removed to expose as much of the original parts of the house as possible. The Swett-Ilsley House can also lay claim to one of the largest fireplaces in New England at an impressive ten feet wide. Imagine what you could fit in there?

In keeping with the theme of 17^th century homes there is also the Noyes-Hale House on Parker Street. This home was built in 1646 by Rev. James Noyes, cousin to Rev. Thomas Parker. Parker was the first pastor in Newbury after originally landing in Ipswich. As interesting as the historic homes of Newbury were there were a few other items that made this trip stand out.

Milestone 33 in front of Gov. Dummer Mansion

Located all over Newbury are a series of Milestones, stone mile markers. Though there are many stones located all over the region there seem to be a cluster of them in Newbury. The stones were made famous by Benjamin Franklin in the 1760’s as he wanted mile markers at every mile on post roads in Philadelphia and then extending up the coast from New York City into New England. Milestones however had been around since the beginning on the 1700’s with the many in Newbury having been carved by John Dummer who was the grandson of the first settler in Newbury.

Finding all of the stones can be an adventure that would talk all day, I chose a few and was only able to find one located on Middle Road. Known as Milestone 33 this stone ironically was carved by John Hartshorn and not John Dummer. The text on the stone is deciphered as ‘N5’ meaning five miles north to the center of Newbury, ‘B33’ meaning thirty-three miles to the center of Boston. The year of the stone, 1708, is featured near the bottom, unfortunately despite wiping the stone with a towel the snow made it tougher to see all of the carvings clearly. Still it was a really cool piece of history sitting rather unsuspecting at the edge of the road at a quiet intersection.

The Witch's Stone

The only thing neater than Milestone 33 was getting a chance to lay my eyes and hands on something that seems very much out of place in Newbury and the United States as a whole. ‘The Witch’s Stone’ sits out on rural Coleman Road and is one part awe-inspiring and one part creepy. It is said to have been carved in 1723; visiting the stone as the sun began to sink in the sky only added to the mood around the stone as it was bathed in an orange glow. The ‘witch’ the stone is named for looks like something that should be on an ancient cave wall rather than on the North Shore in New England.

Finding information about the origin, history, and carver of the Witch’s Stone has proven to be very difficult. All I can say is that it is an impressive sight even if it does look like something that was torn from a cave wall and placed in the middle of an old stone wall in Newbury. Not knowing why the stone is there or where the inspiration came from should not ruin the experience of seeing it. Historic homes make up a lot of what is unique about Newbury but the Milestones and the Witch’s Stone make for an amazing historic scavenger hunt that not many other towns can offer. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Coffin House: From I-95 North take exit 57, turn right for Rt. 113. Continue onto Rt. 1A/High St., drive a total of 3.5 miles off highway, Coffin House is on right.

Milestone 33: From I-95 North take exit 55 for Central St., continue onto School St., slight left at Elm St. Follow 1.2 miles, turn left at Middle Rd. Follow to intersection with Elm St. Milestone is on the corner of intersection on lawn of Gov. Dummer Mansion.

Witch’s Stone: From I-95 North take exit 55 for Central St., continue onto School St., slight left at Elm St. Turn right at Coleman Rd., the Witch’s Stone is on left .1 miles up.

References: Historic New England - Coffin House

Historical Society of Old Newbury

Town of Newbury.org
Stone Structures.org - Milestones

In My Footsteps: Trip 106: Newburyport & Plum Island, Mass.

2011-03-10T17:50:00.002-05:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 106: Newburyport & Plum Island, Massachusetts

January 9, 2011

An amazing area at the very top of Massachusetts’ North Shore Newburyport is filled with beautiful scenery and lots of history as most North Shore towns are. Plum Island is a little finger of sand sticking out into the Atlantic with a feel much like the Cape Cod National Seashore to me. It was a beautiful drive as well but not quite large enough to warrant its own article. Therefore I am wedging Plum Island in with Newburyport since they are very closely connected.

The diminutive Front Range Light

Located forty-five minutes north of Boston the small town of Newburyport is an historic seaport and also an affluent community with major tourism. Once you enter its borders it’s easy to see why. The first spot I visited was the home of the town’s historical society which is housed in the Cushing House on High Street. The brick mansion built in 1808 was home to Caleb Cushing who was a Massachusetts Congressman from 1835-43 and was Attorney General under President Franklin Pierce. There are gardens on the grounds as well; they are probably better suited to be seen during the warmer months.

I love lighthouses and so it was quite obvious once I heard of the pair of lighthouses in Newburyport that I would be paying them a visit. The Newburyport Range Lights, Front and Rear, sit along the Merrimack River and were used to help guide ships into the harbor. Despite being a pair they could not be more different.

Rear Range Light on Water St.

Front Range Light, on the grounds of a Coast Guard station, is white and stands only fifteen feet in height. I remarked that it looked like somebody had built a small shed in the shape of a lighthouse as I could imagine doors opening and a lawnmower being pushed out of it. This lighthouse at one point had a wooden section on top of it making it thirty-five feet tall but it was damaged by fire and the resulting restoration left it in its current shorter stature. It is hard to gain access to but it is easy to see through and over the surrounding chain link fence.

Rear Range Light is a little less traditional if I say so myself. It is a more rectangular shape and made of brick which is not so odd, but the fact that it sits on Water Street in among the shops and restaurants is what caught my eye. It is painted white on one side which faces the river to help it to be seen and people can pay to have dinner up in the top. There is a dinner table up there and it is a popular spot for wedding proposals.

Despite the original oddity for me Rear Range Light seemed to fit in perfectly with the rest of Water Street and Newburyport as a whole. Sitting just to the east of the lighthouse is a unique set of shops, unique because of the building they sit in that is. The collection of five buildings listed as ‘Mills’ contain many stores but to me the buildings were more impressive.

Mill No. 5 store, very odd and unique.

They looked like a series of telephone poles had been attached together to form the shell of each building. It is something I had never seen before and even now am having trouble describing. That’s what photos are for. Mill No. 5 was the one that I had the most contact with. That came from the fact that you can climb the internal stairway up to the roof which gives you a pretty sweet view of the Merrimack River, Rear Range Light, and the surrounding area. Front Range Light is obscured because of its diminutive stature.

For more beautiful scenery there is Atkinson Common on High Street. Established in 1893 the twenty-one acre park has been slowly restored over the past ten years and looks great as far as I could tell when I arrived there. The hundred year old gazebo is small and through the restoration is filled with vivid colors again. It is yellow with a red roof and from what I have read is a well known landmark from post cards all the way back to the 1950’s.

The grounds were covered with snow and I am sure that when the trees and flowers and in full bloom it is even more impressive but Atkinson Common still had some great scenery. That included a thirty-foot tall stone tower which was neat despite its dilapidated condition. It is severely in need of work when compared to the rest of the common but I suppose that it all depends on contributions to get that done. That being said it sort of fit in on the cold wintry day.

The renovated gazebo at Atkinson Common.

A great spot for a broader view of American history is Brown Square. Moses Brown, the creator of the square in 1802 was a wealthy philanthropist but his money came indirectly from slavery through the ‘Triangle Trade.’ This meant that Brown made his money not from the slaves but from the sugar that they harvested. I found it ironic that the man who founded the square was profiting from slavery in the early 19^th century and that one of the most famous abolitionists, William Lloyd Garrison, was born in Newburyport. So Brown Square has a plaque for Moses Brown and one for William Lloyd Garrison not far apart as well as the Garrison Inn built in 1850 which is a luxury hotel overlooking the square.

After visiting Newburyport it was time to drive out to Plum Island. The drive reminded me so much of heading up to the seashore on the Cape, it was like home. On the northern coast of the island sits a lighthouse so of course I stopped to check it out. Located on the grounds of the Parker River Wildlife Refuge the lighthouse is easily accessible. The current lighthouse was built in 1898 after a century beginning with lighting fires on the shore to guide ships and continuing with a pair of range lights that continually toppled and were inadequate.

At one point in its heyday Plum Island had a trolley line running its eleven mile length. Today there are many Bed & Breakfasts and other spots to stay. However much like the seashore on the Cape erosion is a huge problem. That played a part in the last spot I visited on this day.

Plum Island Lighthouse

I happened to get out to Plum Island just as a house on Annapolis Way was being torn down due to the erosion of the sandy cliffs the house sat on. There were several news crews on hand as well and I ended up finding myself on a few videos later in the day. The irony of it was the fact that the person who bought the land where the house stood has plans to rebuild on it. I wish him good luck as I can only see this process of the cliffs eroding and the new house being torn down happening over the next several years. It was both exciting and sad to see the house get razed but it reminded me of what erosion can do.

Newburyport and Plum Island are both part of that same amazing section of the great North Shore that I have professed my love for several times. I highly recommend enjoying a drive along Plum Island, preferably when it’s warmer. The range lights in Newburyport can be enjoyed any time even if you don’t want to dine in Rear Range Light. There are many other scenic spots and some good shopping in those oddly beautiful Mill shops. It is easy to spend a day or more in this absolutely awesome area, so take your time. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Here is a video of the house at Annapolis Way being razed: YouTube – Plum Island House Torn Down.

Directions: Front/Rear Range Lights: From I-95 take exit 57 for Rt. 113, turn right and follow 2.3 miles. Turn left at Summer St., turn right at Merrimac St., continue onto Water St. The lighthouses are on the left and the Mill shops are next door.

Atkinson Common: From I-95 take exit 57 for Rt. 113, turn right and follow 1 mile, turn left at Plummer Ave. There is a small parking area on the left.

Plum Island: From I-95 take exit 57 for Rt. 113, turn right to continue onto Rt. 1A. After 3.5 total miles turn right at Rolfes Ln., continue onto Ocean Ave., turn right at Water St. Continue onto Plum Island Turnpike, follow 2 miles, turn left at Northern Blvd., follow it to Plum Island Light.

References: New England Lighthouse: Newburyport Range Lights

Atkinson Common Newburyport.org

Newburyport Chamber.org

In My Footsteps: Trip 105: New London, Connecticut

2011-03-03T17:37:00.001-05:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 105: New London, Connecticut

January 6, 2011

Maybe it is something to do with the name but I have now been to two towns named New London, one in New Hampshire and now one in Connecticut and I have been absolutely amazed by both. Where New London, New Hampshire had mountains its counterpart in Connecticut had lighthouses and granite forts. I could not go wrong either way.

The waterslide at Ocean Beach Park.

New London, Connecticut sits on the western side of the Thames River so naturally the water has played a big part in its history and development. Long Island Sound also plays a big part in the makeup of New London and I found that out with the first place I stopped at.

Ocean Beach Park is the sort of beach amusement park that hearkens back to the glory days of Coney Island in New York, or at least is something you’d expect to see in a typically warmer part of the country. Rated one of the best beaches by National Geographic Ocean Beach Park has a huge stretch of beach with a miniature golf course, several covered picnic areas, a huge waterslide, and even a Work Out World gym if swimming is not enough.

As appealing as all of those attractions are it was a cold winter’s day when I arrived in New London and the Ocean Beach Park was virtually deserted. I wish I could have taken a ride on the water slide, but that will have to wait for another day. That did not deter me from the site that had been my real reason for visiting the area. My eyes were transfixed on a red square sitting out in New London Harbor to the east.

A ship passing by New London Ledge Light.

New London Ledge Light reminds me in some ways of an old schoolhouse somehow stuck out on a concrete slab in the harbor. It was built in 1909 and automated in 1987, however it is what happened regularly before the lighthouse was automated that is the lasting legacy of this lighthouse. The name ‘Ernie’ was given to the purported ghost who haunts New London Ledge Light. The story of ‘Ernie’ is all about the lonely life of a lighthouse keeper and his family. John Randolph was the real ‘Ernie’ and the lighthouse keeper. He took his own life after discovering that his wife had run off with a ferry boat captain.

Knocking, doors opening and closing, sheets being removed from beds, and the television turning on and off by itself were some of the events reported by keepers before the automation. The television show Ghost Hunters even did an episode from the lighthouse in 2005 with mixed opinions as to whether Ernie was real or not. For me, safely standing on the sugar sandy beach at Ocean Park it was still an eerie experience to be so close to New London Ledge Light knowing the history of it.

New London Harbor Light

Heading north along the Thames River I met another lighthouse which was also inaccessible. New London Harbor Lighthouse is the seventh oldest lighthouse in the country and the oldest in Connecticut. The station was established in 1760 in a different spot with the current lighthouse being built on its current location in 1801. The eighty-nine foot stone tower sits on the grounds of a private home on Pequot Avenue but I was able to get a few great shots while still respecting the property limits.

A little further down Pequot Avenue is a site you can get closer to. The Monte Cristo Cottage is the boyhood home of famed American playwright Eugene O’Neill. His most well known works are Ah! Wilderness from 1933 and Long Day’s Journey Into Night from 1941. The cottage was built in the 1840’s and since it was closed on the day I visited I took the time to sit in a wooden rocking chair on the porch and imagine what it would have been like for young Eugene; the view of the river was awesome. It is open every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Monte Cristo Cottage

The final spot I visited was the amazing Fort Trumbull. I have seen several old granite forts during my travels but none were in as immaculate a condition as Fort Trumbull. It was as if I was there on the day it was first opened in 1852. The fort sits right across the river from Fort Griswold in Groton, both were attacked and captured by traitor Benedict Arnold during the American Revolution. Of course that was the old Fort Trumbull, the current one was the second construction.

I walked along the water the entire perimeter of the fort ending up face to face with a really cool three masted Coast Guard schooner; something I had never seen before. The view down river of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge which connects New London and Groton was impressive. Not as impressive but very cute were the collection of cats roaming the fort grounds. I was only able to get one photo as they seemed wild and always ran away when I got close.

Fort Trumbull

I scaled a few flights of stairs to get up to where the fort stands on a hill. The view was great, I could even see the small dot of New London Ledge Light at the mouth of the harbor. I wish it had been open to visit but the many signs give you a pretty good sense of what the fort is all about. Keep your eyes peeled through as you get toward the main entrance of the fort. I was busy snapping photos and caught a glimpse of something across the courtyard and had to do a double take. I thought it might be a ghost but ended up being a cutout of an old soldier which was part of a display next to a cannon.

I truly loved my time in New London. It must be something with the name since New Hampshire’s version was just as amazing. Enjoy some beach fun at Ocean Beach Park before seeing some historic sites like the Monte Cristo Cottage and Fort Trumbull. It is a great way to spend a day or more. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Ocean Beach Park: From I-95 take exit 84 S toward downtown New London. Merge onto Eugene O’Neill Dr., turn right at Gov. Winthrop Blvd. Turn left at Huntington St., 1^st right onto Jay St., continue onto Truman St. Turn left at Bank St, turn left at Ocean Ave. Follow 2.7 miles, turn right at Neptune Ave., take 2^nd left onto Stuart Ave.

Fort Trumbull: From I-95 take exit 84 S toward downtown New London. Merge onto Eugene O’Neill Dr., turn right at Gov. Winthrop Blvd. Turn left at Huntington St., 1^st right onto Jay St., continue onto Truman St. Turn left at Bank St., sharp right at Howard St. Follow ½ mi. turn left at Walbach St., right at East St.

References: Ocean Beach Park.com

Haunted Lights.com - New London Ledge Light

The Oneill.org - Monte Cristo Cottage

In My Footsteps: Trip 104: Old Saybrook, CT

2011-02-23T10:58:00.001-05:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 104: Old Saybrook, Connecticut

January 6, 2011

Old Saybrook. The name conjures up images of an historic old New England village and after paying it a visit I can assure you that my initial impressions were accurate. Originally a short-lived trading post established by the same Dutch settlers who first settled Manhattan the town of Old Saybrook has roots that go back to the second Mayflower voyage. Saybrook Colony was settled in 1635 and the first Governor of the colony was John Winthrop the Younger, son of the first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. I was able to get a taste of the nearly four centuries of Old Saybrook’s history from the moment I got off of the highway.

Deacon William Parker House c.1646

Only a short drive from the highway exit I took sits the oldest standing house in Old Saybrook. Deacon William Parker built the house in 1646 and it has stood the test of time very well. Parker became Deacon of the First Congregational Church in 1670 and was a frequent representative for the town in sessions of the general court. The house sits on the corner of Middlesex Turnpike and Old Spring Brook Road with parking behind it.

Axles on the tracks at the Connecticut Valley Railroad Roundhouse and Turntable Site

Immediately after founding Saybrook Colony Governor Winthrop commission that a fort be built. Located on the shore of the Connecticut River, Fort Saybrook does not look like the earthen forts or granite forts I have seen before. However, this fort is also two hundred years older than any of those I have visited. There is basically just a simple border made of wooden posts which surround the majority of the fort. The series of plaques let you know what the fort was like back in the 1630’s. There is a statue dedicated to the man who built the fort in 1635, Lieutenant Lion Gardiner, on the western side of the fort. Gardiner also built a windmill for grinding corn and his son David who was born in 1636 was the first recorded English child born in Connecticut. After his contract with Governor Winthrop expired Gardiner bought himself Manohonake Island which was later renamed Gardiner’s Island. It is located off of the eastern coast of Long Island.

Gen. William Hart House aka. Old Saybrook Historical Society.

In addition to Fort Saybrook there is another interesting piece of history on the grounds. The Connecticut Valley Railroad Roundhouse and Turntable Site was built in 1871, it was very important for the servicing of locomotives. The roundhouse could be circular, or semi-circular, in this case it is semi-circular. It has a few sets of tracks which all end in the same general area. There are wheels and axles sitting on the tracks to give you an idea as to how the roundhouse would have looked while in use. I enjoyed perching myself right behind the axles and imagining how the area looked more than a hundred years ago. Also you only need to take a short walk to get a great view of the Connecticut River which is worth a few extra minutes of your time.

There is a seemingly endless supply of historic homes on Old Saybrook’s Main Street however I will stick to just one. The town’s historical society is housed in the General William Hart House. Built in 1767 it is one of the oldest houses left standing in the town. Hart was a prosperous merchant who also led the First Regiment of the Connecticut Light Horse Militia during the American Revolution. Beginning in April the Hart House gardens are opened to the public as well. Unfortunately I was not able to partake in those but the gardens should be put on any travelers list when visiting in the spring or summer.

Main Street is a great place to park and walk as well. There are places such as the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center to visit in addition to the many other historic houses I mentioned before. I made sure to take a moment to watch as a man filled a rectangular shape in front of the Town Hall with water to make a public skating rink for the town to enjoy. Little things like that helped make even the most mundane moments in Old Saybrook special for me.

Lynde Point Lighthouse from a nearby beach.

The final spot I visited is one that cannot be reached but I felt I owed it to the readers to share all of what I did in Old Saybrook. Being a big fan of lighthouses I wanted to pay a visit to Lynde Point Light located in the village of Fenwick in the southern part of Old Saybrook. I drove out across Bridge Street which gives you a great view of South Cove, Long Island Sound, and Lynde Point Light as well. This was not close enough though.

What I discovered was that the lighthouse sat deep inside a private neighborhood. I debated for a few minutes and then decided that since I had already driven two and a half hours to get to Old Saybrook I was going in anyway. I drove into the private neighborhood and got closer to Lynde Point Light. However it sits behind a home as well which pretty much ended my journey. I ended up snapping a few photos from a nearby beach and decided to be satisfied with those rather than push it more. Not wanting to encourage others to venture out there I will not put directions up below, still you can go if you wish just know the risks.

An historic New England town complete with an historic sounding name Old Saybrook is filled with beautiful sites to see. Fort Saybrook and the Connecticut Valley Railroad Roundhouse and Turntable Site are fun and unique and also close to the Connecticut River. A walk on Main Street will only add to the experience even if you do not stop at every historic home along the way, and trust me there are a lot of them. Lynde Point Light is a wildcard, while it is deep in private property you can get a nice view if you walk out onto Bridge Street. There is a small parking area nearby. Enjoy all of what Old Saybrook has to offer. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Fort Saybrook: From I-95 take Exit 68 for Rt. 1 heading into Old Saybrook. After a mile turn left at Rt. 154 which is also Main Street. Slight left keeps you on Rt. 154, follow 2 miles, fort is on left.

Deacon William Parker House: From I-95 take Exit 69 to merge onto Rt. 9. Take Exit 2 for Rt. 154, turn left at Essex Rd. Take a slight left at Old Spring Brook Rd., Parker House is on right with parking behind it.

References: Old Saybrook CT.org

Saybrook History.org

Lynde Point Light - New England Lighthouses

In My Footsteps: Trip 103: Groton, Connecticut

2011-02-16T21:03:00.001-05:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 103: Groton, Connecticut

January 6, 2011

The Groton Monument at Fort Griswold.

My first journey into Connecticut also coincided with the one-year anniversary of my very first travel trip. I decided to hit the mid-coast area of Connecticut and ended up being blown away by what I saw in Groton. Located on the Thames River this city had a lot of things that I look for when choosing places to visit; specifically an amazing lighthouse and an historic earthen fort. That alone would make Groton a must see, but there was so much more.

Groton is home to the pharmaceutical company Pfizer as well as a campus of the University of Connecticut. Established in 1705 it has one of the largest collections of historic sites and monuments in the state which makes it very popular with travelers. My experience in Groton began with a bang and never let up.

The first spot I visited was Fort Griswold. Now a state park the fort was in use during the American Revolution and was attacked during the Battle of Groton Heights by troops led by turncoat Benedict Arnold. As soon as you get close to the grounds your eyes immediately are drawn about 135 feet up into the sky; this is due to the impressive sight that is the Groton Monument. Built in 1830 the monument, an obelisk which brought to mind the Bunker Hill Monument in Boston, was dedicated to all of the soldiers who died during the Battle of Groton Heights in 1781.

The rolling hill of Fort Griswold.

When I passed through the iron gates and onto the grounds of the fort I felt like I was passing into a different time. Right away there is a stone marker depicting where Col. William Ledyard was killed by his own sword by a British soldier after surrendering the fort. This was the beginning of the massacre at Fort Griswold.

I was all alone during my time here and that only added to the aura of this historic spot. There is a short tunnel through a hill called the ‘Covered Way’ that shielded soldiers as they passed from the fort to the lower battery closer to the Thames River. I walked through it and could imagine the sounds of gunfire from nearly 250 years ago. The view down a cascading hill to the edge of the fort’s walls was incredible. I did not realize how long of a walk it was until I got face to face with a pair of buildings at the bottom that were much larger than I had originally thought.

The rainbow cloud at Eastern Point Beach.

After taking in the sights of the river below the walls I walked over to the red Ebenezer Avery House which was where the wounded soldiers were taken during the massacre at Fort Griswold. The house which was built in 1750 was a fitting end to my time at this unbelievable piece of American history. However this was just the start of what I saw in Groton.

A short drive from the fort along the Thames River sits the small Eastern Point Beach. Obviously it gets its name due to the fact that it is the eastern most point in the town. There is a unique home which was built on the rocks a couple of hundred feet off shore. There is a private dock since boats are the only way to get out to the home. That was not the only unique sight at Eastern Point Beach.

Tyler House c.1904

Hovering magically above New London Harbor Lighthouse across the river was a rainbow cloud. It was the first time I had ever seen such a thing. I read that these phenomena occur when it is so cold that there are ice crystals inside a cloud rather than liquid moisture. I can vouch that it was absolutely freezing on this day, possibly my coldest trip yet.

Besides the house on the rocks and the icy cloud rainbow there was a large house used for restrooms, changing, etc. The Tyler House as it is known was built in 1904 and is made of wood and stone standing ever so close to the water’s edge. I was able to get some really nice shots of the back of the building by standing on a rock outcropping. It was very safe for anybody unlike some of the places I shoot from.

It was also from this vantage point that I was able to see my final destination during my time in Groton: Avery Point Lighthouse. Located on the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut this lighthouse has a very distinct look now but it took a lot of work to make it so. Avery Point is named for James Avery who was one of the first settlers of New London from which Groton came later.

Avery Point Lighthouse

Avery Point Light was the final lighthouse to be built in Connecticut completed in early 1943. After falling into severe disrepair a massive restoration project was undertaken in 2000 to bring Avery Point Light back to its previous luster. Six years and a half a million dollars later the project was finished and the lighthouse looks amazing now.

In comparison to most other lighthouse which are conical and white Avery Point Light is a brick octagon. Also it has more of a light red, slightly pink color to it that when combined with its unique roof make it look either like a candle or a part of a doll house castle. I was blown away by the appearance and the colors of it especially due to the fact that I arrived as the sun had begun to set. You have to maneuver your way through a bit of a maze on the UConn campus to find it but this lighthouse is near the top of my list of favorites I have seen thus far.

My first trip of the new year, and first into Connecticut was hugely successful. This was all thanks to the simply awesome places I saw in Groton. There is so much more that you will find there but I shared a few of my personal favorites. Take your time and find your own favorites, it will not be hard. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Fort Griswold: From I-95 take Exit 87 to merge onto Rt. 349. Turn right at Meridian St. Exd., slight right at Meridian St., follow ½ mile, turn left at Monument St. Fort is on left.

Avery Point Light: From I-95 take Exit 87 to merge onto Rt. 349. Follow 2 miles, turn right at Rainville Ave., turn left at Eastern Point Rd., turn right to stay on Eastern Point Rd., continue onto Shennecossett Rd. UConn is on right, lighthouse is on the water’s edge you must park and walk.

References: Avery Memorial Association - Ebenezer Avery House

Avery Point Light.com

Fort Griswold.org

In My Footsteps: Trip 102: Hanover, Massachusetts

2011-02-14T20:12:00.001-05:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 102: Hanover, Massachusetts

December 16, 2010

Named for the first Hanoverian King of England, George I, and settled only after a bridge was built across the North River the town of Hanover is a small town with a lot of history. The town that was named in his honor was incorporated actually a few days after King George I had died. It was incorporated on June 14, 1727 while King George died on June 11th; news did not reach the colonies until long after. Hanover is also where one of the first Tedeschi food shops was built in 1954. To get a taste of the history of Hanover one only needs to visit the Hanover Historical Society.

Stetson House c.1716

The Stetson House where the Historical Society resides is the oldest building in Hanover. So old in fact that when it was built Hanover was not even its own town, it was still a part of Scituate. The yellow house on Hanover Street was built in 1716 by Samuel Stetson whose family was one of the first to settle in the future Hanover. The house was the site of the first town meetings, one of which led to the incorporation of the town. It is amazing to think when I looked at this house that Stetson had nineteen children. I have no idea how they all fit in the relatively normal-sized home.

The fourth First Congregational Church

Located a short walk from the Stetson House is the First Congregational Church of Hanover. I included this church because despite its name it is actually the fourth church built on the site. Sitting on a small hill across from the town hall the church was founded in 1728. It was then replaced on the same spot in 1765. In 1827 a third church was built, facing east this time rather than south, with a separate Town Hall built closely behind the building. Both the church and Town Hall burned to the ground in 1862; the current ‘First’ Congregational Church was built in 1863 facing south again. I got some really nice photos as the sun began to sink in the sky. It made for some great shadows of the iron railings which lead to the church’s front door.

John Curtis Free Library

As I wrote the original Town Hall of Hanover was built in 1827 directly behind the First Congregational Church before burning down in 1862. The new Town Hall is right across Hanover Street from the church, completed in 1863. Shortly after it was opened the Town Hall had a pair of rooms set aside for a high school and library. I found myself really enjoying the small building on top of the Town Hall. I don’t know what to call it, but its roof was supported by a group of columns. It is a really nice touch.

Hanover Town Hall

Back across Hanover Street is the Hanover Center Cemetery which was established in 1727 the same year that Hanover was founded. It is here that many of the town’s original settlers are buried and it gives you an up close view of those who started Hanover. The portion of the cemetery right behind the Congregational Church is the oldest and it is sometimes referred to as ‘God’s Acre.’ A really neat headstone to view is that of Joseph Washington. He was a born a slave in North Carolina and brought to Hanover. The inscription on the stone reads ‘Born in North Carolina a SLAVE, died in Massachusetts FREE.’ That will give you chills when you see it up close.

The history of Hanover stretches a vast array of time periods and subjects. From its association with King George I all the way up to its hand in the beginning of the Tedeschi food shops, Hanover has seen a lot in its nearly 300 year history. The Hanover Center Historic District will give you a lot of great sites to see but it is not all there is. Take your time and enjoy Hanover, of course you can always pay a visit to the huge Hanover Mall as well! Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Hanover Center Historic District: From Rt. 3 take Exit 12, turn right at Rt. 139. Follow nearly 1 mile, take slight left at Water St. Continue onto Schoosett St., slight right onto Rt. 139, follow 1 mile, slight left to stay on Rt. 139. Continue 1.2 miles, you will be in front of Stetson House, historic district is all around.

References: Hanover, Ma.gov

Tedeschi Food Shops - History

In My Footsteps: Trip 101: Rockland, Massachusetts

2011-02-08T20:31:00.001-05:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 101: Rockland, Mass.

December 16, 2010

It was originally settled as a part of neighboring Abington. With its historic Union Street filled with amazing homes, Rockland has definitely made its own path since separating from Abington in 1874. Original European settler James Walshie settled Rockland in 1673. It was used as a camp by Wampanoag sachem, or chief, Metacom, during King Philip’s War in 1675-76 during his raids on the town of Scituate.

Rockland Memorial Library

Ironically although it shares the name with the town, Rockland Trust neither began in, nor has its corporate headquarters in Rockland. I went and began photographing the Rockland Trust on Union Street thinking it was the original branch of the bank established in 1907. I was fortunate enough to get to speak with a man from that branch and he informed me that the first branch of Rockland Trust was actually in Scituate. The corporate headquarters are located in neighboring Hanover. The branch I visited was opened in 1917 and actually was the corporate headquarters until 2008, so it was still historic but not exactly what I had thought.

The five soldiers in front of Rockland's Town Hall.

Union Street is the main drag of Rockland and is the location of many of the historic buildings in the small town of just over 17,000. Taking a walk along Union Street was great, despite the sidewalk being worked on. The Rockland Memorial Library, on the corner of Union Street and Belmont Street, is a member of the Old Colony Library Network which accommodates much of the South Shore. The building was erected in 1874 and has the same classic style as some of the buildings I enjoyed in Easton and Fairhaven that were created by Henry H. Richardson and Henry H. Rogers respectively.

Up on the right from the library, on the corner of Union St. and North Avenue is a beautiful church, the Holy Family Church. Established in 1882 it was the first church built after Rockland became a separate town. It is made of brick which gives it a unique appearance. There are several ‘block’ buildings as well in Rockland on Union Street. Those are the buildings I have referenced several times before bearing a name on the concrete façade near the top. I have been trying to find out who determined the names which adorn these blocks and can only assume they are the folks who fronted the money to have them built. The Bigelow and Phoenix block buildings are a few such examples in Rockland.

Lower Union Street Historic District

Further down Union Street as it closes in on Market Street there is a really nice stretch of historic homes. There are always historic homes in every town from the 17^th through 19^th century but the ones which make up the Lower Union Street Historic District were each unique in their own way. The first home I saw actually caused me to do a double-take; I had to go back. Built in 1846 it was amazing, yellow with red shutters and what looked like small awnings over the windows. The colors of the house were only topped by the small fenced in front yard. The picket fence was a mix of red, blue, pink, and yellow with some one of a kind lawn ornaments including a dresser and a tricycle covered with flowers.

After that incredible display I parked at the end of Union Street and took a walk to see more of these homes up close. There was a home from 1874 which was blue with red trim and had two large Christmas wreaths near the edges of the front. The colors and layouts of these homes made each look like a dollhouse of sorts. I found myself snapping photo after photo of this great stretch of Rockland’s Union Street.

Lower Union Street Historic District

One spot that stood out to me was actually the Rockland Town Hall. It was not so much the building itself but the display in front of it. There in front of the sign stood five wooden soldiers each about three-feet tall. They were from each branch of the military and gave the area a special feel as each of them cast a never ending salute to the cars passing by.

Once a camp for Wampanoag sachem Metacom, Rockland has a rich history which is still quite evident as you walk the streets today. From the ‘block’ buildings that I have seen to the longtime headquarters of Rockland Trust there is no shortage of sites to see. Don’t forget to stop and salute the wooden soldiers in front of the Town Hall and check out the impressive stretch of unique historic homes of the Lower Union Street Historic District as it creeps toward Market Street. That walk will really tie together everything you see in Rockland. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Rockland Town Hall: From Rt. 3 take Exit 13, turn right at Rt. 53, left at Rt. 123. Follow it 4 miles, turn right at Union St. Town Hall is .2 miles down on right. Lower Union St. Historic District begins .2 miles further down, just past Vernon St.

References: Rockland, Ma.gov

Rockland Memorial Library.org

In My Footsteps: Trip 100: Norwell, Massachusetts

2011-02-03T10:48:00.001-05:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 100: Norwell, Massachusetts

December 16, 2010

For all of my travels up and down the coasts of Massachusetts, the South Shore and North Shore, there are still places that are completely unfamiliar to me. Some of them are very close by to where I live. One such spot is Norwell; it lies in between the places I have visited along the South Shore and some of the places further inland that I have seen like Easton and Brockton. I was very interested in finding out what this area was about and I was not disappointed.

Norris Reservation

Ironically even though it is not along the shore the town of Norwell was originally settled as a part of Scituate and was known as South Scituate up until 1888. It was then that the name was changed to Norwell after dry goods merchant Henry Norwell who provided funding to maintain the town’s roads. Norwell was originally settled for agriculture and relied heavily on shipbuilding through the 19^th century. Now the small town of under 10,000 people is a very affluent community.

Stetson-Ford House c.1674

There are plenty of historic homes and buildings inside the borders of Norwell which I always enjoy but it was the conservation lands which stood out for me. Chief among those was Norris Reservation on Dover Street. I knew this spot was going to be special from the moment I spotted the small pond on the left hand side about a thousand feet from the parking lot. The pond was iced over but it was still draining frigid water underneath a wooden footbridge and down a small creek. With a bright sun in the sky it made for some amazing colors on the rushing water below and some impressive photos of the ice that had collected around the bases of a few trees and rocks partially submerged in the water.

I don’t recommend what I did next to everyone but I did manage to scale down the small gully to the water’s edge to get some more incredible views of this unexpected surprise at Norris Reservation. Afterwords I also found a fir tree decorated for the Christmas season complete with colored ball ornaments and some silver streamers. It definitely got me in the spirit. There are also other smaller parks in Norwell including Gaffield Park which is only a short drive from Norris Reservation on River Street. It was established in 1896, has a nice playground area and some interesting names of point of interest such as Hemlock Hollow and Lookout Point.

The North River

There were a few spots that combined the natural with the historical and I was glad to get to experience them. One particular spot was as nice as it was hard to get to. Stetson Meadows and the Stetson-Ford House are located in a very remote area of Norwell, although the road to get to it is actually bordered by Rt. 3. Stetson Meadows is a conservation area with a lot of trails and a marsh on the eastern side. The Stetson-Ford House located near the dirt parking area of the property was built in 1674 by Thomas Stetson. His father, Cornet Robert Stetson, was the first colonial resident of Norwell. From the parking area down to the marsh’s edge is a short walk and it was quite enjoyable thanks to the sun and some tall pine trees which border a field running along the dirt path.

I did however mention that it was a long drive out to Stetson Meadows but that should not deter any potential visitors to this conservation area. It is about a mile out to the house and conservation area, much of that along a rough dirt road along the highway. It is worth the bumpy ride; just take your time getting there.

Jacobs Farmhouse c.1726

After leaving Stetson Meadows I stopped at an overpass on Bridge Street to view the North River. The spot I chose has a small parking area and is located just before the border with neighboring Marshfield. The North River played a very important role in the economy of Norwell back when it was still known as South Scituate. This spot on Bridge Street is where most of the boats enter the water and there are scenic foliage tours offered in the fall.

The final spot I visited is the location of Norwell’s Historical Society. The Jacobs Farmhouse, on the corner of Main Street and Jacobs Lane was built in 1726 and descendants of the Jacobs family lived in the home until 1939 when it was given to the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiques. The house is across the street from the fifty-nine acre Jacobs Pond. The pond is man-made, created in 1730 when Third Herring Brook was dammed where Main Street is now.

It was deserted on this day so I was able to walk around the grounds freely and snap some great photos. There is an acre and a half field beside the farmhouse which is run by the non-profit Norwell Farms. There was some farm equipment in a building across the street from the farmhouse including a really neat tractor. Even though there was nobody around I did not dare get too close to the equipment. I am sure if you arrive at the Jacobs Farmhouse while folks from the historical society are around they will show you the equipment close up.

Not quite the South Shore, not that far inland, Norwell has a charm all its own. The historic homes and places are topped only by the amazing conservation areas like Norris Reservation. It was a virtual unknown area to me before but now it has become a spot I will fondly remember. I believe that any visitor will enjoy their time in Norwell. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Norris Reservation: From Rt. 3 take Exit 12, turn left at Church St., take 1^st left onto Old Oak St. Continue onto Union St., follow for 3.3 miles, continue onto Bridge St. Turn left at Rt. 123, follow half a mile, take a slight left at Dover St. Parking area is on left.

Jacobs Farmhouse: From Rt. 3 take Exit 13, turn right at Rt. 53, turn right at Rt. 123, follow half a mile. Farmhouse is on left on corner of Jacobs Lane.

References: Norwell Ma.com

The Trustees.org - Norris Reservation

Norwell Farms.org

In My Footsteps: Trip 99: New Bedford, Massachusetts

2011-01-28T21:18:00.001-05:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 99: New Bedford, Massachusetts

December 2, 2010

An historic seaport matched in importance only Gloucester that’s what New Bedford is. Nicknamed ‘The Whaling City’ it was one of the largest whaling ports in the world during the 19^th century. That history is still a big part of what makes New Bedford a popular destination for travelers. However the whaling history is only the tip of the iceberg as I was pleased to learn. In addition to the New Bedford Whaling Museum there are forts, historic homes, and some extraordinary cobblestone streets.

Fort Rodman, Clarke's Point Light on top.

The first place I visited when I arrived in New Bedford was a pair of old forts strategically placed on Clarke’s Point, the southernmost point of the city which sticks out into Buzzards Bay. Fort Taber is a living breathing artifact. It is two buildings, an earthen fort and granite fort side by side along the breezy shores. The earthen fort was built during the Civil War in 1861. It was built first as Governor John Andrew and Mayor Issac Taber could not wait for state or federal aid to help build the granite fort at the dawning of the Civil War.

The much larger, granite structure next to the earthen fort was started shortly thereafter; the United States War Department stopped construction in 1871. It was locally finished in 1898 and named Fort Rodman after Civil War Lt. Col. Logan Rodman of New Bedford. The Clark’s Point Lighthouse, which once stood alongside the granite structure, was placed on the second tier of the fort and is easily visible today. The many windows of Fort Rodman have been sealed shut using brick. However there have been holes chipped into these bricks making it possible to see inside and even for me to get my camera inside to snap photos of the courtyard.

Garden at Rotch-Jones-Duff Museum

Despite being two different buildings with two different names, the area is usually mistakenly simply called Fort Taber. The granite fort is kept under lock and key but the earthen fort can be entered, though beware as vandals have sprayed graffiti inside and littered as well. It is not as large as Fort Revere in Hull but walking through the darkened tunnels of this fort is creepy yet exhilarating. You can almost feel what it was like when the fort was active 150 years ago.

Butler Flats Light

Not to be missed is a spark plug lighthouse known as Butler Flats Light. It is quite a ways out if you walk the long pier which stretches out from Clarke’s Point. It is a lot closer to shore as you’re leaving the forts. There are a few spots to stop along East Rodney French Boulevard where you can get a much better view of the lighthouse at the mouth of the Acushnet River. Built in 1898 Butler Flats Light was the replacement for Clarke’s Point Light. That lighthouse stood along the shore from 1799 until 1869. Once Fort Rodman had taken shape a new wooden structure was built on top of it where the lantern was relocated. The stone lighthouse tower stood until 1906.

One really nice historic home in New Bedford is the Rotch-Jones-Duff House. It was built in 1834 for a whaling merchant named William Rotch Jr. The house has three names, one for each of the families that lived at the house at different times. The Rotch family obviously when it was first built in 1834, the Jones family starting in 1851, and the Duff family starting in 1935.

New Bedford Whaling Museum

The house has a more golden yellow color which looked impressive with the sun softly shining on it. However the best part of this twenty-eight room mansion actually is outside where the amazing garden resides. The garden encompasses a full city block and even in the late autumn it was a sight to behold. It is said that the current garden is more in line with the time that the Jones family lived here. There is a knee-high hedge maze which wraps around patches of beautiful flowers, some of which were still colorful even at this late stage of the season. I would put this location on my list when planning a visit to New Bedford in the warmer months.

One area that needs no time frame to be enjoyed is a virtual time warp back to the 19^th century. In the historic district of New Bedford, near the waterfront, there is a block of streets which are still lined with cobblestones. Just walking these streets is a magical experience but when that is coupled with the fact that nearly every building you pass is significant it makes it a nearly perfect place to explore.

The Whaleman's Chapel from Moby Dick

Of course most people know of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, established in 1903, it is probably the most visited spot in the entirety of New Bedford. Inside there are more than 200,000 artifacts from the past few centuries which give a complete history of the whaling industry in New Bedford and the entire ‘Old Dartmouth’ area. This museum is a must see for all visitors.

The home of another rich whaling and banking industry pioneer Andrew Robeson is famous for having its 500 ton frame moved some 400 feet in 1978. The federal-style(brick) home built in 1821 was in line to be torn down in the name of progress but it was saved by the Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE(WHALE). It was painstakingly moved inch by inch from Second Street and turned ninety degrees before it came to rest at its current locale on Williams St. That story is enough to warrant a visit when passing through New Bedford.

The cobblestone historic district has so much to see that it would be impossible to list it all. I can only tell you to park and walk, you will be sure to find some amazing places. Of course the Whaling Museum needs to be seen and don’t forget the historic forts out at Clarke’s Point. New Bedford is one of the most historic seaports in the country and I can’t recommend a visit enough. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Fort Taber/Rodman: From I-195 West take Exit 15 into New Bedford. Follow John F Kennedy Memorial Highway until you need to bear right onto Rodney French Blvd. The Fort Taber/Rodman site is on the right at the end of the road.

Rotch-Jones-Duff Museum: From I-195 take Exit 15, continue onto JFK Memorial Highway for 1.7 miles, turn right at Union St., turn left at 7^th St., follow it .2 miles to house on right.

New Bedford Whaling Museum: From I-195 take Exit 15, continue onto JFK Memorial Highway for 1.5 miles, turn right at Elm St. Take the 2^nd left onto 1^st St., museum is on left.

References: Rotch-Jones-Duff Museum.org

Fort Taber.org

New Bedford Whaling Museum

In My Footsteps: Trip 98: Acushnet, Massachusetts

2011-01-25T13:39:00.003-05:00

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 98: Acushnet, Massachusetts

December 2, 2010

Formerly a part of New Bedford and then Fairhaven the town of Acushnet may be small in size but it has a rather large link to the world of sports. The name Acushnet comes from the Wampanoag word ‘Cushnea’ which means ‘peaceful resting place near water’ which is no coincidence since the town lies along the Acushnet River.

Acushnet Town Hall

The link to the world of sports that Acushnet has comes from the Acushnet Process Company, now known as the Acushnet Company. Founded in 1910 the Acushnet Company owns the Titleist brand name which is very well known to any fan of the sport of golf. The Acushnet Company was founded by Philip E. Young and began creating their own rubber-based products after initially supplying rubber to other companies.

I began my time in Acushnet by visiting the center of town which as I have stated many times is where my GPS tends to bring me. I parked next to the Town Hall and took a walk. Posted on nearly every telephone pole were signs celebrating Acushnet’s Sesquicentennial. That means 150 years, I had never heard of that particular term before visiting Acushnet. The Town Hall had a unique style to it with a stone face looking more like an old castle than an official building.

History outside Long Plain Museum

Being that this trip came during the Christmas season there were decorations and lights everywhere that captured my favorite time of the year. I really loved the set up in front of the local fire department. There were nutcrackers, snowmen, white bears, and of course Santa on the front lawn. I arrived as the winter sun was getting low and the yellow orange hue to the collection really made it a sight to behold.

After leaving the center of Acushnet I took a drive out to the Long Plain Museum further out on Main Street. This museum is also the home of the town’s historical society. The Long Plain Museum was built in 1875 and was originally the Long Plain Schoolhouse until 1972. Many of the historical photos and exhibits inside depict school life in the late 19^th and early 20^th century.

Long Plain Museum

What I particularly liked about this museum was the fact that there were several pieces of significance outside lined up along the fence. There is a horse watering trough from 1840 that formerly resided outside of the Whelden School on Middle Street. Next to that is the front step of the one room ‘Bog School.’ This tiny schoolhouse was taken over from Fairhaven in 1860 and remained in operation until 1905 when it was closed and the students transferred to the Long Plain School. To the right is a date stone from the Whelden Mill, one of the earliest cotton mills in the northeast. It was built in 1814 by Captain Joseph Whelden near where Deep Brook meets the Acushnet River. Finally there is the keystone of the Deep Brook Bridge built in 1845. The old bridge crossed Middle Road over Deep Brook before being replaced in 1974 by the current bridge. The old schoolhouse had a haunting presence in the fading daylight making it an image I will take from my time in Acushnet.

The final place I was able to visit before winter took the sunlight away was the Long Plain Friends Meeting House and Museum a short drive away on Main Street. The meeting house was built by the Quakers in 1759, the term ‘friends’ used in many of the titles of these religious halls was just another way of saying Quaker. It is the oldest such meeting house in southeastern Massachusetts but is no longer actively used.

Long Plain Friends Meeting House

Set back from the road it was a memorable walk to get to where the solo white building stood in the open field. As is the case with every other Quaker meeting house I have seen in my travels there is a small cemetery of loyal followers not far from the meeting house. I stayed on the grounds of the meeting house until there was only milky dusk remaining it was as if I was in the soul of little Acushnet at that time. That is what I will take from my trip, being able to ‘feel’ what the town was about.

Acushnet is a small town with a big connection to the world of sports with its association with the Titleist company. It also has hands on history with the Long Plain Museum. It absolutely lived up to its Wamapnoag name of being a peaceful resting place near water and I believe that any visitor will enjoy their time in Acushnet. Have fun and happy traveling!

For more In My Footsteps items follow my Twitter Feed, view more photos at the In My Footsteps fan page on Facebook, or visit my homepage at ChristopherSetterlund.com. Thanks for reading!

Directions: Long Plain Museum: From I-195 take Exit 20, take Rt. 105 through Rochester. Turn right at Cushman Rd., left at Robinson Rd., these are still Rt. 105. Follow Robinson Rd. to Main St., turn right, Museum is almost immediately on left. Quaker Meeting House is .7 miles further up on left.

References: Long Plain Museum.org

Acushnet, Ma. - Official Town Site

Acushnet Comapny.com