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75-651: The lakes lie at an elevation of 1 meter above sea level, within the towns of Winchester , Arlington , and Medford, Massachusetts . Upper Mystic Lake is fed by the Aberjona River , and drains south, over the Mystic Dam , into Lower Mystic Lake, which in turn empties into the Mystic River and then Boston Harbor . Lower Mystic Lake is a meromictic lake , which means that the lake has a deep layer of water that rarely, if ever, mixes with its top waters. As

150-623: A $ 250,000 Green Communities Grant which helped to offset the cost of installing 1668 cobra-head LED street lights. It is estimated that the LED streetlight conversion may potentially reduce the town's electricity costs by $ 50,000 each year. Across the Main Street bypass from the high school sits the Jenks Community Center, which offers programs for seniors and other age groups. Wedge Pond, home to Borggaard Beach and Splash Park,

225-772: A connection from the Merrimack River to Boston Harbor in 1793. This became the Middlesex (County) Canal system. The Middlesex Canal Corporation was chartered on June 22, 1793, with a signature by Governor John Hancock , who purchased shares with other political figures including John Adams , John Quincy Adams , James Sullivan , and Christopher Gore . The incorporators were James Sullivan ; Oliver Prescott ; James Winthrop ; Loammi Baldwin ; Benjamin Hall; Jonathan Porter; Andrew Hall; Ebenezer Hall; Samuel Tufts Jr.; Willis Hall; Samuel Swan Jr.; and Ebenezer Hall Jr. Sullivan

300-409: A consequence, the sediments at the bottom of Lower Mystic Lake accumulate in annual layers (or varves ) that have been nearly undisturbed for a thousand years. Such varves in meromictic lakes preserve a historical record somewhat like tree rings do. In the case of Lower Mystic Lake, the varves have been used by Mark Besonen and his collaborators to study the historical incidence of hurricanes. Although

375-725: A decline in business at the Pawtucket Canal , a transit canal opened in the 1790s which bypassed the Pawtucket Falls just downstream from the Middlesex Canal's northern end. Its owners converted the Pawtucket Canal for use as a power provider, leading to the growth of the mill businesses on its banks beginning in the 1820s. The Middlesex Canal was used for the transport of raw materials, finished goods, and personnel to and from Lowell. The canal's use of

450-463: A family was $ 200,000+. Males had a median income of $ 100,000+ versus $ 70,847 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 68,479. The median home value was $ 838,420, compared to a U.S. average of $ 180,000. About 1.3% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under the age of 18 and 2.3% ages 65 or older. The crime rate in Winchester is below

525-501: A few of "the proprietors of the Middlesex Canal" which were the corporations' principal stockholders and the board came together with other third parties or acted in a few cases as a combined whole to fund the development of other stretches of the canal up the Merrimack above Chelmsford. By the completion of construction between Medford and Chelmsford, several extensions envisioned all along were also nearing completion. The whole system

600-580: A few places. In 1967 the canal was designated a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark (one of the first such designations made) by the American Society of Civil Engineers . The surviving elements of the canal are the subject of a 1972 listing on the National Register of Historic Places , while the entire route, including parts that have been overbuilt, is the subject of a second listing in 2009. The Middlesex Canal Association maintains

675-529: A skeptical public to fund a dam in the highlands to the east of town. The structure blocked the creek which flowed from the Middlesex Fells and produced the first of three reservoirs which continue to provide clear water today. In the early 20th century, growth continued apace as Winchester evolved from its agri-industrial roots into the bedroom community it is today. A rich mix of immigrants—the Irish in

750-716: A stop for Amtrak's Downeaster train, going through New Hampshire, and terminating in Brunswick, Maine. While this train runs through Winchester, it does not stop at either of the town's two train stations. There are bus lines going through Winchester to nearby communities such as Medford, Arlington, and Cambridge. Bus route No. 134 runs between North Woburn and Wellington Station on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 's (MBTA) Orange Line in Medford. Bus route No. 350 runs from

825-488: A summer program. Winchester has two "Zone 1" stops on the MBTA Commuter Rail Lowell Line : Wedgemere and Winchester Center . The stops are within easy walking distance of one another. The Lowell Line runs from Lowell to Boston's North Station , where one can connect with the "T" , Boston's subway system. Nearby Anderson Regional Transportation Center off I-93 (Commerce Way exit) holds

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900-431: A value of $ 500 in 1804 and were worth $ 300 in 1816. Before the corporation was dissolved, the proprietors proposed to convert the canal into an aqueduct to bring drinking water to Boston, but this effort was unsuccessful. After the canal ceased operation its infrastructure quickly fell into disrepair. In 1852 the company ordered dilapidated bridges over the canal torn down and the canal underneath filled in. Permission

975-554: Is a popular swimming spot which is continually monitored to ensure safe water quality levels. And every year, as for over a century, thousands of fans attend the annual Thanksgiving Day football contest between Winchester High School and its long-time traditional rival, Woburn . Several private entities provide recreational opportunities for local townsfolk. Founded in 1900 as a canoe club, the Winchester Boat Club serves locals wishing to sail casually or competitively on

1050-667: Is a small private school founded in 2010 in Melrose which moved to Winchester in 2013. It offers K–8 education in small multi-age classrooms. Established in 2004, the Winchester School of Chinese Culture is a non-profit organization whose mission is to teach the language and traditional culture of China through classroom instructions, the arts, and cultural events. The school offers a K–8 weekend program at Lynch elementary school, after-school programs at Winchester Unitarian Church and Winchester First Congregational Church, and

1125-436: Is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km ) is water. The total area is 3.97% water. The town is roughly bisected by a central valley which is the remnant of the original course of the Merrimack River . After glacial debris effectively rerouted the Merrimack north to its current location, all that remained of its original course through present day Winchester is the Aberjona River and the several ponds it feeds en route to

1200-667: Is part of the Massachusetts Senate's 2nd Middlesex district . In recent years, Winchester has become an increasing stronghold for the Democratic Party , especially for presidential elections. Below the presidential level, some moderate Republicans have been able to carry Winchester: Town services include full-time police and fire departments, the Winchester Board of Health, the Town Clerk,

1275-658: The Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge ; they are classified as wetlands . The canal featured a number of innovations and was referred to as an example for later engineering projects. The use of hydraulic cement to mortar the locks is the first known use of the material in North America. The route was surveyed using a Wye level (an early version of a dumpy level ), again the first recorded use in America. At North Billerica, where

1350-519: The Middlesex Canal , linking the Merrimack River to Boston, was completed through then Waterfield. It flourished from 1803 to 1836, until the Boston and Lowell Railroad completed a line which neatly bisected the town and provided it with two stations. Able to deliver passengers as well as goods, the railroad soon bankrupted the canal and spurred more people to move to the area. The first church

1425-642: The Mystic Lakes on Winchester's southern border. On its eastern third, the valley rises steeply into the wooded hills of the Middlesex Fells Reservation , in which lie the North, Middle, and South Reservoirs. The western edge of the valley yields to Arlington and Lexington heights, and the boundaries with those two towns. To the north, the town's longest border is shared with Woburn. Winchester has several major bodies of water, including

1500-553: The Mystic Lakes , Wedge Pond, Winter Pond, and the Aberjona River , as well as several minor bodies of water such as Sucker Brook and Sachem Swamp. Winchester borders the towns of Woburn , Stoneham , Medford , Arlington , and Lexington . As of the census of 2010, there were 21,382 people, 7,647 households, and 5,785 families residing in the town. The population density was 3,394.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,310.7/km ). There were 7,988 housing units at an average density of 1,267.9 per square mile (489.5/km ). The racial makeup of

1575-417: The "Sachems", a term that refers to people who have been appointed to represent a (native) nation in a meeting of a confederacy council. However, the mascot was removed in the year 2020 due to its offensive and stereotypical nature. Their sports teams are now known as the "Red and Black", referring to the school's colors. For the 2018–2019 school year, Winchester public schools and Winchester Recreation developed

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1650-612: The 1600s, the Squaw Sachem of Mistick , who deeded much of the land in Greater Boston to settlers, resided near the Mystics Lakes. Her Naumkeag band likely established fishing weirs at the outlet of the lake and the downstream Mystic river, and had grown corn on the lake's eastern shores. An indigenous burial site from the 1600s, possibly of sachems Nanepashemet or Montowompate , was discovered in 1862 just east of

1725-715: The Burlington Mall to Alewife station in Cambridge on the MBTA's Red Line . A commuter express bus runs from Cummings Park in Woburn to Boston during rush hours. Anderson Regional Transportation Center also has the Logan Express shuttle bus service to Boston's Logan Airport every 30 minutes, and a paid shuttle service to Manchester New Hampshire Airport (reservations required in advance) In December 2010 Winchester

1800-469: The Concord River had significant long-term environmental consequences. The raising of the dam height at North Billerica was believed to cause flooding of seasonal hay meadows upstream and prompted numerous lawsuits against the canal proprietors. These were all ultimately unsuccessful, due in part to the uncertainty of the science, and also in part to the political power of the proprietors. As the canal

1875-605: The Greater Boston metropolitan area. It is also one of the wealthiest municipalities in Massachusetts. The population was 22,970 at the 2020 United States Census . Native Americans inhabited the area that would become Winchester for thousands of years prior to European colonization of the Americas . At the time of contact, the area was inhabited by the Naumkeag people , from whom the land that would become Winchester

1950-537: The Methodist church, Winchester Recreation Department, and Creative Corner all offer preschool classes. St. Mary's School is a parochial school of St. Mary's Parish. The school opened in 1914 and has over 200 students in grades Pre-K through 5. The school building also serves as the Sunday school for the parish during Sunday services. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Acera School

2025-756: The Mystic Lakes are popular for swimming, sailing, and fishing, the Upper Mystic Lake suffers from contamination by arsenic and other heavy metals from the Aberjona River . The eastern shore of the lakes is part of the Mystic River Reservation managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation . The lakes were previously part of the drinking water supply for Charlestown and later Boston (see Massachusetts Water Resources Authority ). In

2100-580: The Mystic Lakes. In the summer, it is a popular meeting place for local families and their children. The Winchester Country Club—located in the Myopia Hill neighborhood—offers an 18-hole course open to member and named after the Myopia Club based there in the late 19th century. In the 1840s, the Whigs sought to split a new jurisdiction away from heavily Democratic Woburn and found enough supporters in

2175-587: The Mystic lakes and was memorialized as Sagamore Park. From 1803 to 1851, the Middlesex Canal , a progenitor to the Erie Canal , operated on the eastern shore of the Mystic Lakes, connecting Lowell to Charlestown . Winchester, Massachusetts Winchester is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts , United States, located 8.2 miles (13.2 km) north of downtown Boston as part of

2250-495: The Navigation company was successful: Weston was authorized to travel to Massachusetts. In July and August 1794, Weston, accompanied by Baldwin and several of the latter's sons surveyed and identified two possible routes for the proposed canal. The proprietors then secured contracts to acquire the land for the canal, some of which was donated by its owners; in sixteen cases the proprietors used eminent domain proceedings to take

2325-766: The Post Office, Water and Sewer Department, and the Public Works Department. Winchester does not offer curbside trash collection. Residents must get an annual permit and use the "Transfer Station" to dispose off their trash and for recycling. Winchester also has a Chamber of Commerce located on the platform of the Winchester Center station of the MBTA Commuter Rail. Winchester is the sister city of St. Germain-en-Laye , France. Middlesex Canal The Middlesex Canal

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2400-601: The U.S. average. The most common crime is property crime, with 62 burglaries reported in 2010. Violent crimes are rare, with only five murders and five rapes reported in 10 years. Winchester was ranked number 86 on the Bloomberg list of America's 100 Richest Places with an average household income of $ 204,878 in 2016. Winchester has five elementary schools (Ambrose, Lincoln, Lynch, Muraco, and Vinson-Owen) and one middle school , McCall Middle School. Considered one of Boston's elite public high schools, Winchester High School

2475-583: The WRAP-AROUND program. A program designed to provide supervision for students who are dropped at school a bit early or who need to stay at school later on some days and was created to assist families with the school start time change for next fall. Wrap-around care is offered at all five elementary schools for students in grades K–5, both before and after school. The teams practice and host home games at Knowlton Field. The Winchester Sports Foundation raises money through donations to maintain sports programs in

2550-492: The area was referred to as Black Horse Village, after the busy tavern and hostelry in its center.The movement toward incorporation of what, by this time, was called South Woburn was likely precipitated by the rise of the Whig Party in Massachusetts ( History of Winchester, Massachusetts by H. S. Chapman and Bruce W. Stone, 1936, 1975). The town's early growth paralleled improvements in transportation. Prior to incorporation,

2625-429: The burgeoning village to organize a movement toward incorporation. Representatives of the planned new town selected the name Winchester in recognition of Colonel William P. Winchester of nearby Watertown, who pledged $ 3,000 toward the construction of the first town hall. Upon the signature of then Governor Briggs, the town of Winchester was officially incorporated on April 30, 1850. Colonel Winchester did not live to visit

2700-671: The canal bed were covered by roads in the 20th century, including parts of the Mystic Valley Parkway in Medford and Winchester , and parts of Boston Avenue in Somerville and Medford. Boston Avenue crosses the Mystic River where the canal did. Parts of the canal in eastern Somerville were filled in by leveling Ploughed Hill in the late 19th century. Ploughed Hill was the site of notorious anti-Catholic riots in 1832 and had subsequently been abandoned. The opening of

2775-743: The canal descended six miles to the Merrimack River in East Chelmsford (now western Lowell ) and 22 miles to the Charles River in Charlestown. In late September 1794 ground was broken in North Billerica. Work on the canal was performed by a number of contractors. In some instances, local workers were contracted to dig sections, while in other areas contract labor was brought in from Massachusetts and New Hampshire for

2850-541: The canal diminished the commercial viability of the port of Newburyport, Massachusetts , the outlet of the Merrimack River , since all trade from the Merrimack Valley in New Hampshire now went via the canal to Boston, rather than through the sometimes difficult to navigate river. The canal also played a prominent role in the eventual growth of Lowell as a major industrial center. Its opening brought on

2925-400: The canal met the Concord River at the millpond, a floating towpath was devised to handle the needs of crossing traffic patterns. Though significant portions of the Middlesex Canal are still visible, urban and suburban sprawl is quickly overcoming many of the remains. The Middlesex Canal Association, founded in 1962, has erected markers along portions of the canal's path. Prominent portions of

3000-655: The canal that are still visible include water-filled portions in Wilmington, Billerica, and near the Baldwin House in Woburn . Dry walkable sections can be found in Winchester, most notably a section at the Mystic Lakes where an aqueduct was situated, and Wilmington, where aqueduct remnants are also visible in the town park off Route 38. Most of the canal south of Winchester has been overbuilt by roads and residential construction, although traces may still be discerned in

3075-446: The canal was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers . Remnants of the canal still survive and were the subject of a 1972 listing on the National Register of Historic Places , while the entire route, including parts that have been overbuilt, is the subject of a second listing in 2009. By 1790, England had thirty years and all of continental Europe's many canals to draw on for

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3150-485: The completed canal had reached Merrimack, New Hampshire , from the Charles (the downstream terminus) and was carrying two-thirds of the down freight and one-third of the up freight to Western New Hampshire and Eastern Vermont. The other direction, the canal ran from 'Middlesex Village' or East Chelmsford, Massachusetts (The Town of Chelmsford was later divided and East Chelmsford was renamed Lowell, Massachusetts , now

3225-494: The construction work. A variety of engineering challenges were overcome, leading to innovations in construction materials and equipment. A form of hydraulic cement (made in part from volcanic materials imported at great expense from Sint Eustatius in the West Indies) was used to make the stone locks watertight. Because of its cost and the cost of working in stone, a number of the locks were made of wood instead. An innovation

3300-500: The correct direction. The canal was one of the main thoroughfares in eastern New England until a few decades after the advent of the railroad . The Boston and Lowell Railroad (now a part of the MBTA Commuter Rail system) was built using the plans from the original surveys for the canal. Portions of the line follow the canal route closely, and the canal was used to transport construction materials and also an engine for

3375-504: The cost of bringing goods such as lumber, ashes, grain, and fur to the coast could be quite high if water transport was unavailable. Most American rivers were made unnavigable by rapids and waterfalls. Up and down the Atlantic coast, companies were formed to build canals as cheaper ways to move goods between the interior of the country and the coast. Well aware that to stay independent the nation needed to grow strong and develop industries,

3450-580: The experience. In the years after the American Revolutionary War , the young United States began a period of economic expansion away from the coast. American men of influence had always kept an eye on news from Europe, especially from Great Britain, so when in the years from 1790–1794 the British Parliament passed eighty-one canal and navigation acts, American leaders were paying attention. Because of extremely poor roads,

3525-556: The fourth most populous city in Massachusetts, primarily because of the Lowell textile industry spawned by the transportation infrastructure and water power along the Middlesex Canal and the Nashua and Merrimack Rivers), through several sparser settled Middlesex County outlier suburbs such as Billerica , and Tewksbury , then closer-in suburban towns with the lower course running towards Boston generally along water courses nearly paralleling

3600-527: The land. The basic plan was for the canal's principal water source to be the Concord River at its highest point in North Billerica , with additional water to be drawn as needed from Horn Pond in Woburn. The site where the canal met the Concord River had been the site of a grist mill since the 17th century, which the proprietors purchased along with all of its water rights. From this point,

3675-480: The news from Europe rekindled a number of previously dropped canal or navigations projects and began discussions leading in the next decades to many others. The year 1790 is credited as the start of the American Canal Age . In Massachusetts, several ideas were proposed for bringing goods to the principal port, Boston , and connecting to the interior. For about three years there were plans to connect

3750-596: The northern and eastern neighborhoods, a smattering of African-Americans who flocked to the New Hope Baptist Church in the highlands, and finally Italians who came to work in the westside farms and live in the "Plains" to the east—complemented Winchester's Yankee forebears. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.3 km ), of which 6.0 square miles (15.6 km )

3825-484: The railroad. The canal was no longer economically viable after the introduction of railroad competition, and the company collected its last tolls in 1851. The Middlesex Turnpike , incorporated in 1805, also contributed to its downfall. Investors who held their shares in the company lost money: shareholders invested a total of $ 740 per share but only reaped $ 559.50 in dividends. Those who sold their shares at an appropriate time made money: shares valued at $ 25 in 1794 reached

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3900-491: The reverse trip upriver took on average five days. A round trip between Boston and Concord, New Hampshire, usually took 7–10 days. These speed limits were set and maintained by the board of proprietors to prevent wakes from damaging the canal sides. Roberts noted they were unlikely to be enforced, and generation of a shore damaging wake would require sails or animals to drive a canal boat in excess of 7 miles per hour (11 km/h), which would require dangerously stiff breezes in

3975-538: The routes of MA 38 from Wilmington , thence in Woburn along the Aberjona River from Horn Pond through Winchester (or Waterfield ) into the Mystic Lakes and down the Mystic River between Arlington and Somerville on the west bank and Medford along the east (left) bank, until the river and canal ran into the Boston Harbor tidewater in the Charlestown basin. At first, it terminated in Medford , but

4050-537: The town and to give financial support, make sports programs accessible to all classes, meet costs of program expenses and preserve and promote the level of WHS sports programs. Founded in the 1942, the Children's Own School is among the earlier surviving Montessori schools in the United States. The building it occupies, a former farmhouse, is considered locally historic. The school's founder, Ms. Dorothy Gove,

4125-445: The town that had honored his family name. He succumbed to typhoid fever within months of its incorporation. Winchester's town government of Selectmen and Town Meeting members has remained essentially unchanged for most of its existence, until the renaming of the Board of Selectmen to the Select Board in 2018. A 1970s survey listed Winchester as "one of the top fifteen suburbs" in the nation ( Ladies Home Journal , August 1975). The town

4200-555: The town was 87.1% White , 9.3% Asian , 1.0% African American , 0.1% Native American , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.4% from other races , and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population. There were 7,647 households, of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who

4275-421: The upper reaches of the Connecticut River , above the falls at Enfield Connecticut, to Boston through a canal to the Charles. Connecticut was believed to rise at similar elevations to the Merrimack River 's, which could be reached by a string of streams, ponds, lakes, and manmade canals—if the canals were built. In the first two years, rough surveys sought the best route up to the Connecticut Valley; but no route

4350-410: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.26. In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18 and 16.2% over the age of 65. The median age was 42.7 years. The population was 52.3% female and 47.7% male. According to a 2008 estimate, the median income for a household in the town was $ 125,952, and the median income for

4425-420: Was a 27-mile (44-kilometer) barge canal connecting the Merrimack River with the port of Boston . When operational it was 30 feet (9.1 m) wide, and 3 feet (0.9 m) deep, with 20 locks, each 80 feet (24 m) long and between 10 and 11 feet (3.0 and 3.4 m) wide. It also had eight aqueducts. Built from 1793 to 1803, the canal was one of the first civil engineering projects of its type in the United States , and

4500-624: Was among 18 Massachusetts communities to earn the "Green Community" designation by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (bringing the total number of green communities in the state up to 53). In 2011 Winchester was selected as one of four communities to participate in the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) Solarize MASS pilot program. The program provided incentives to home owners to install rooftop solar electric systems. During that year, 35 residents contracted to have solar systems installed, resulting in 165 kW of solar installations. Most recently, in July 2014, Winchester received

4575-489: Was an acquaintance of Maria Montessori , giving her a firsthand opportunity to learn the Montessori concept of learning. Today the school operates as a private, non-religious, Montessori school for children of ages two to six, with classes of up to 20 children. Children's Own School is located at 86 Main Street in Winchester. Winchester has two parent-led cooperative nursery schools: Neighborhood Cooperative Nursery School and Winchester Cooperative Nursery School. In addition,

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4650-411: Was built in 1840, the Post Office followed in 1841, and soon after incorporation town schools were started. Industries small and large followed, including the Beggs and Cobb tannery and the Winn Watch Hand factory which would operate well into the 20th century. By the time of the Civil War , to which Winchester lent many citizens, the need for a municipal water supply became apparent. Engineers convinced

4725-456: Was complete in 1814, and with just a few exceptions, overall came to operate with prices and regulations as set by the proprietors of the (main) Middlesex Canal. The following extensions opened up the balance of the Merrimack River to the New Hampshire capital, Concord , which acted as a staging point for riverine traffic deep into the river system penetrating the White and Green Mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont respectively. By 1808

4800-442: Was founded in 1850, at the time was part of present-day Lincoln elementary. Winchester High was rebuilt in a different area in 1972, then renovated in 2017. Winchester public schools have achieved superior performances on the MCAS exams since their inception, and the district is consistently ranked by editorial reviews such as Boston Magazine as one of the best in Massachusetts. The Winchester High School sports teams were known as

4875-450: Was given for the company to liquidate and pay the proceeds to the stockholders, and its 1793 charter was revoked in 1860. The company's records were given over to the state for preservation. The canal corporation's land and dam in North Billerica, as well as the water rights on the Concord River, were sold to Charles and Thomas Talbot , who erected the Talbot Mills complex that now stands in the Billerica Mills Historic District . Parts of

4950-431: Was in decline in its later years, the state legislature finally ordered the dam height to be lowered, but then repealed the order before it was executed. Analysis done in the 20th century suggests that the dam, which still stands (although no longer at its greatest height), probably had a flooding effect on hay meadows as far as 25 miles up the watershed. Many of these meadows had to be abandoned, and some now form portions of

5025-524: Was later extended to Charlestown, Massachusetts , with a branch near Medford Center to the Mystic River. Over time, the canal was connected to by a series of other canal companies, and many of those were owned in part by the canal proprietors, which constructed spurs up through New Hampshire upstream along the Nashua and Merrimack Rivers , enabling freight to be transported as far inland as Concord, New Hampshire . Within two years of commencing operations, regular boat traffic operated by independent companies

5100-400: Was made in earth-moving equipment with the development of a precursor of the dump truck , where one side of the carrier was hinged to allow the rapid dumping of material at the desired location. Water was diverted into the canal in December 1800, and by 1803 the canal was filled to Charlestown. The first boat operated on part of the canal on April 22, 1802. A variety of enterprises by all or

5175-450: Was made the company's president; its vice president and eventually chief engineer was Loammi Baldwin, a native of Woburn , who had attended science lectures at Harvard College and was a friend of physicist Benjamin Thompson . The route of the canal was first surveyed in August 1793. Local lore is that it is on this expedition that Baldwin was introduced to a particular apple variety that now bears his name. The route survey, however,

5250-452: Was not restricted to freight and transit: people from the city would ride passenger boats on daylong tourism excursions to the countryside and take vacations in luxuriously fitted out canal boats, whole families spending a week or two lazing along the waterways in the heat of summer. Freight statistics compiled for twenty years cited in the Harvard Economic study by Roberts indicate the downriver trips from Concord to Boston took four days, and

5325-442: Was obviously best, and nobody championed a specific one. A few true believers, but lesser socialites, needed a champion and pestered the Secretary of War, Henry Knox to ignite the project. After the collapse of stocks in early 1793 put paid to a scheme to join the Charles River with Connecticut, championed by Henry Knox, a group of leading Massachusetts businessmen and politicians led by States Attorney General James Sullivan proposed

5400-401: Was purchased for the settlement of Charlestown in 1639. From the 17th century until the middle of the 19th century, parts of Arlington , Medford , Cambridge , and Woburn comprised what is now Winchester. In the early years of the settlement, the area was known informally as Waterfield, a reference to its many ponds and to the river which bisected the central village. In its second century,

5475-610: Was reaching upriver over 50 miles (80 km). Three main companies operated on the canal system. The water source for the canal was the Concord River at North Billerica . This was also the highest point of the canal and is the present location of the Middlesex Canal Association's museum. Freight boats required 18 hours from Boston up to Lowell, and 12 hours down, thus averaging 2.5 miles per hour; passenger boats were faster, at 12 and 8 hours, respectively (4 miles per hour). As seen on later American canals, use

5550-425: Was studied by engineers working on other major canal projects such as the Erie Canal . A number of innovations made the canal possible, including hydraulic cement , which was used to mortar its locks, and an ingenious floating towpath to span the Concord River . The canal operated until 1851, when more efficient means of transportation of bulk goods, largely railroads, meant it was no longer competitive. In 1967,

5625-588: Was sufficiently uncertain that a second survey was made in October. Due to discrepancies in their results, Baldwin was authorized by the proprietors to travel to Philadelphia in an effort to secure the services of William Weston , a British engineer working on several canal and turnpike projects in Pennsylvania under contract to the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Navigation Company . Baldwin's application to

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