210 



MIDDLESEX FELLS. 



past five years (an increase of nearly 31 per cent), and do 

 not secure additional supplies, then in some dry season Spot 

 Pond will merit its name, not on account of the spots of rocks 

 upon its surface, but on account of the spots of water among 

 the rocks. Near the centre of this area south of Spot Pond 

 is a large bowlder which can be reached by several foot-paths, 

 the one from the northwest being the best, especially in wet 

 weather. 



That region which lies between Forest Street and Highland 

 Avenue is not specially interesting. A view can bo obtained 

 from the rocky peak close by the Maiden line and near the 

 lane which is called Murray Street, and another from the pile 

 of rocks which crowns the rugged cliffs just north of the pro- 

 posed Valley Street. This latter tract is now being opened 

 to settlement, a new street having been already built to the 

 top of the hill, and plans being now in preparation for laying 

 out house-lots. Those who enjoy a ride on a truly rural road 

 should try Pulton Street. It was built in 1641 by Oharles- 

 town, to gain access to her land north of Medford. 1 At that 

 time Charlestown completely surrounded Medford. Lest any 

 one should bo misled by old maps, it is well to add that a 

 portion of Medford was annexed to Maiden in 1877. 2 From 

 Salem Street to the Stoneham line the width of this strip, 

 east to west, is 990.64 feet. 



The section which is bounded on the west by Highland 

 Avenue, Fulton and Wyoming Streets, on the north by the 

 Ravine Road, on the east by Washington Street, and on the 

 south by the settled portion of Maiden, is the most rugged 

 part of the Fells. Its rocky peaks are its leading features, 

 and it therefore well deserves to be called " Fells." Many 

 of its cliffs are remarkably fine, and some command good 

 views. It contains several fine groves of pines and hemlocks, 

 and in the wet season many small ponds. A labyrinth of 

 wood-roads and foot-paths must be disentangled before one 

 can plan and carry out a visit to all its attractions. 



The finest cliffs in the vicinity of Boston arc on the cast 

 side of this section, near the Fells Station on the Boston and 



1 History of Medford, by Charles Brooks, 1855, p. 61. 



2 Acts of 1877, chap. 139, and Acts of 1878, chap. 19. 



