204 



MIDDLESEX FELLS. 



old Greek wood-gods, displaced and belated, not yet quite convinced 

 that Pan was dead, and planning together to save the last remnants of 

 the forests they loved." 



The principal attraction of Middlesex Fells is Spot Pond, 

 a beautiful sheet of water with several pretty islands and 

 many rocky and wooded points. The name of the pond, in- 

 teresting on account of its historic origin, is explained by the 

 following quotation from Governor Winthrop's Diary : — 



" February 7, 1G31 (0. 8.). The governour, Mr. Nowell, Mr. Eliot 

 and others, went over Mistick River at Medford, and going N. and by 

 E. among the rocks about two or three miles, they came to a very great 

 pond, having in the midst an island of about one acre, and very thick 

 with trees of pine and beech ; and the pond had divers small rocks 

 standing up here and there in it, which they thereupon called Spot 

 Pond. They went all about it upon the ice." ' 



The elevation of this pond above the sea is about 150 feet, 

 the greatest depth 32 feet, the area 296 acres, and the area 

 of the water-shed about 1,100 acres. The water, which is 

 exceptionally pure, is the source of water-supply for the city 

 of Maiden and the towns of Medford and Melrose. The small 

 brick and stone buildings on the south and east shores belong 

 to the water-works. 



Boats can be hired to row to the islands, and paths may be 

 found leading to the most attractive spots along the shores. 

 There are several good places to rest or lunch. On the south 

 side of the pond, near Forest Street, is a pine grove, a part of 

 which was formerly used as a picnic-ground ; the view is very 

 pretty. On the shore, a short distance farther east, is a pic- 

 turesque rock jutting into the water. This spot can be reached 

 by following the shore from Forest Street, or by ta.king a 

 narrow sylvan road which leaves Forest Street at a point 

 farther south. Between the Medford water-works and Wyo- 

 ming Street is a high point with pines and hemlocks, com- 

 manding one of the finest views on the pond. This place can 

 be found by following foot-paths from Wyoming Street and 



1 Winthrop's New England, vol. i. p. 

 Mr. Wright. 



C. See also Mt. Andrew Fark, by 



