After fifty-seven years
In previous issues (Vol. XX, Nos. i and 2) the Regis-Ter has told, in some detail, of the construction by Charlestown (ere its annexation to Boston), of its waterworks within the bounds of Medford and Somerville. It is now twenty years since the abandonment of Mystic lake as a water supply, but the tall, graceful chimney of the pumping station, though disused, had remained a noticeable object. A few years ago the older boilers and pumping engines were scrapped and the roof of the coal bunker removed, revealing to the few visitors its great size. The top of the chimney, through lack of care consequent upon disuse, had become disintegrated and dangerous. Its removal was decided on, and work begun to that end. By removal of bricks on a portion of the easterly side, a fissure was made across it near its base, [p. 61] and the whole mass fell over into the vacant coal bunker at about 2.30 P. M. on Wednesday, September I (1920). Its fall attracted no widespread attention, as by its falling into the walled excavation the noise of its impact was largely smothered, or little diffused.It was built upon a granite base fifteen feet square. A pedestal of twenty feet was paneled with two Roman arches in each side, and capped with brown stone. Each side of the tapering shaft was reinforced with two diagonal buttresses, and the top was elaborately designed and ornamented with quatrefoils of brown stone. It rose to a height of one hundred and five feet and was first in use on November 4, 1864.
On September 15 (1920), while removing the debris at the base of the shaft, the workmen came upon a copper box at about fifteen inches from either face at the easterly corner. There was no stone, or indication of its presence. It was simply embedded in the regular brickwork and was 4×4times;9 inches in size, and contained four Boston (morning) papers (of October 1, 1863), three Charlestown papers (weekly) one New York daily, Harper's Weekly, and a New York comic weekly, The Phunny Phellow. Noticeable in the two latter are the cartoons relating to the French occupation of Mexico, and the ‘rebel rams’ built in England, the time being that of the Civil War. The Charlestown directory and city reports of the previous year, with the report on the introduction of water, including a complete map of the system, and an envelope containing a silver half-dollar of 1807, a copper half-cent of 1807, a copper cent, and another (copper) coin so flattened as to defy identification, and two bronze (Indian) cents of 1863, made up the contents, which we were afforded the privilege of examining.
We found no reference to the waterworks in the Boston dailies, and have discovered (as yet) no intimation of any ceremonies attendant upon the depositing of the box, which was probably on October 1 or 2 of 1863.
The Charlestown Enterprise and Bunker Hill Aurora [p. 62] of next previous date were accompanied by the Enterprise of Saturday, October 4, 1862, containing an interesting column regarding the exercises of ‘breaking ground’ on the preceding Saturday1‘for the reservoir on Walnut hill.’ By the courtesy of Superintendent Kiliam we are enabled to present the Historical Society with a type-written copy of the same.
The pumping station, which since 1900 has been used only for storage and recently in the war work of the Radio company, is to be utilized as a workshop and garage by the Metropolitan Commission.
Formerly it was a place of interest to visitors. Mr. Bernard Born, who came from New York to set up the first pumping engines, remained in charge during its entire use as such, and saw it thrice enlarged. His aquarium was always a source of interest to the youngsters, and his alligators also, until grown somewhat they were removed to other quarters. With its closing, the bridge across the river to Jerome street, not being a public one, was removed, leaving no passage between Canal and Usher bridges at Boston and Harvard avenues.
To the casual observer, this building and chimney appeared to be in Medford, but was, however, in Somerville, formerly Charlestown. This was because some owners of river lots in the old Charlestown cow-pasture were not transferred to Medford in the change of 1754. After one hundred and sixty-six years of the crooked boundary line, it should be adjusted and dwellers therein orientated.
