In 2022, the Town of Andover commissioned the History Center to write the history chapter of the town's Master Plan for the Shawsheen River. This is part one of the chapter.
Thank you for sharing this information on the development of the Shawsheen River area and the building of industrial parks, adaptation to needs, and product designs. Read about Andover and the revolution in When Thirteen Became One by Jack Head on Amazon.
Hi Daniel, there's a staff member here I'd like to loop into this, but she's already off for the Thanksgiving holiday. I can pick this back up again early next week and connect you with her then. Best, Elaine
I am talking about where Beacon runs under 495 towards lawrence past Noel but on the right side of Beacon just before you enter Lawrence. Not near Chandler.
I live over on Beacon Street next to a small brook that passes under Beacon street. We have about 6 acres of conservation land behind my home and there are many large groundworks alongside of the brook and i was always curious if they were related to the Indigenous population that were here. Do you know of anyone who could look at these to see if that's true? What were they used for? Tx
Hi Daniel, I asked our staff your question. One person, who lives out by you, asked if you're talking about where Beacon forks off and goes under 495? If yes, then across the 495 bridge us a brook that runs under Chandler Road. That has groundwork walls because is was the old rail line in use long before 495 was built. She thought that if you were referencing the other side of Beacon, it could still be the old train line. There are stories about Indigenous earthworks in Andover, but none that have been substantiated, as far as I know. Thanks so much for asking, Elaine
Ran into this article today, first time. Interesting as my Grandparents and parents lived in a home in rural Ballardvale with approximate 60 acres. Shawsheen river bordered some of this land. We found many artifacts including arrow heads growing up in the woods. It was a wonderful place to grow up , wooded areas with paths, the river, berry patches, streams and abandoned , we assumed summer homes .
Thank you for your work in compiling this history.
Thank you for your message, Mary! I've heard a few stories about people finding arrowheads along the river. It must have been a lovely place to visit as a child.
thank you, Elaine! That is the neck of the woods where I grew up and my parents still live. I know a little about Taft/Gray Farm but have always been curious about Tucker Road and the Ward reservation land. If you have resources there, I could come in when I next visit. It doesn't have to be published/shared.
Hi Deborah, ACHC does have a lot of information on the Taft/Gray farm available in our library. I don't know of any research compiled on Tucker Road, but a place to start is the Historic Preservation website, https://preservation.mhl.org/. No direct hits came up when I searched for Tucker Road, but a number of Gray Road sites came up that contain information on the Tucker family. Let me know if you have any success with that route. You can come in to use the ACHC library any Thursday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm. On Saturdays, we have dedicated staff members here to assist researchers. Best, Elaine
I'm curious about the "Asleber's Pond" and "Beaver Dam Pond" on the map. Do you have any chapters about Tucker Road (adjacent to Taft farm) and the area around the Ward reservation? I believe that's where these ponds are centered.
Great article!! Love it. One edit- the Roger’s bit said the Cochichawick River was the Shawsheen/ which is not right. That river is in North Andover as were all the settlers in 1646. They had land along the Shawsheen in 1646 but were prohibited from building homes until the 1670’s - due to fear of Indian attacks. So the court record refers to North Andover.
Always fascinated to read how Andover developed. Great series, Elaine
Thank you for sharing this information on the development of the Shawsheen River area and the building of industrial parks, adaptation to needs, and product designs. Read about Andover and the revolution in When Thirteen Became One by Jack Head on Amazon.
Perfect, thank you. Happy Thanksgiving
if you like i can send photos, i also found some stones with initials carved into them that look very old
Hi Daniel, there's a staff member here I'd like to loop into this, but she's already off for the Thanksgiving holiday. I can pick this back up again early next week and connect you with her then. Best, Elaine
hi Elaine,
I am talking about where Beacon runs under 495 towards lawrence past Noel but on the right side of Beacon just before you enter Lawrence. Not near Chandler.
Thanks
Daniel
Hmmmm, I'm not familiar with that. I'll ask a few more people here and I'll get back to you if anything turns up.
Hi Elaine,
I live over on Beacon Street next to a small brook that passes under Beacon street. We have about 6 acres of conservation land behind my home and there are many large groundworks alongside of the brook and i was always curious if they were related to the Indigenous population that were here. Do you know of anyone who could look at these to see if that's true? What were they used for? Tx
Daniel
Hi Daniel, I asked our staff your question. One person, who lives out by you, asked if you're talking about where Beacon forks off and goes under 495? If yes, then across the 495 bridge us a brook that runs under Chandler Road. That has groundwork walls because is was the old rail line in use long before 495 was built. She thought that if you were referencing the other side of Beacon, it could still be the old train line. There are stories about Indigenous earthworks in Andover, but none that have been substantiated, as far as I know. Thanks so much for asking, Elaine
Ran into this article today, first time. Interesting as my Grandparents and parents lived in a home in rural Ballardvale with approximate 60 acres. Shawsheen river bordered some of this land. We found many artifacts including arrow heads growing up in the woods. It was a wonderful place to grow up , wooded areas with paths, the river, berry patches, streams and abandoned , we assumed summer homes .
Thank you for your work in compiling this history.
Thank you for your message, Mary! I've heard a few stories about people finding arrowheads along the river. It must have been a lovely place to visit as a child.
thank you, Elaine! That is the neck of the woods where I grew up and my parents still live. I know a little about Taft/Gray Farm but have always been curious about Tucker Road and the Ward reservation land. If you have resources there, I could come in when I next visit. It doesn't have to be published/shared.
Hi Deborah, ACHC does have a lot of information on the Taft/Gray farm available in our library. I don't know of any research compiled on Tucker Road, but a place to start is the Historic Preservation website, https://preservation.mhl.org/. No direct hits came up when I searched for Tucker Road, but a number of Gray Road sites came up that contain information on the Tucker family. Let me know if you have any success with that route. You can come in to use the ACHC library any Thursday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm. On Saturdays, we have dedicated staff members here to assist researchers. Best, Elaine
Interesting history and explains how roads Lovejoy, Ballardvale, and Phillips were named.
I'm curious about the "Asleber's Pond" and "Beaver Dam Pond" on the map. Do you have any chapters about Tucker Road (adjacent to Taft farm) and the area around the Ward reservation? I believe that's where these ponds are centered.
Hi Deborah,
That wasn't part of the scope of work for this project, but it certainly is something we can add to our research projects list!
Best,
Elaine
Great article!! Love it. One edit- the Roger’s bit said the Cochichawick River was the Shawsheen/ which is not right. That river is in North Andover as were all the settlers in 1646. They had land along the Shawsheen in 1646 but were prohibited from building homes until the 1670’s - due to fear of Indian attacks. So the court record refers to North Andover.
Thank you, Joann, I wasn't aware of that.
This is a very informative post. I also like the term "deep history". "Pre-history" does not make sense when one thinks about it.
A careful summary of the pre-1646 period around Andover, with links to additional resources. Well done!