USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > The story of Newton, Massachusetts : its natural beauty, attractive homes and historical associations > Part 3
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Newton can look back with satisfaction upon its three hundred years of orderly growth and achieve- ment, and can look forward to a future inspired by the ideals of a worthy past.
Slow from the plough the woods withdrew, Slowly each year the corn-lands grew; Nor fire, nor frost, nor foe could kill The Saxon energy of will.
And never in the hamlet's bound Was lack of sturdy manhood found, And never failed the kindred good Of brave and helpful womanhood.
That hamlet now a city is, Its log-built huts are palaces ; The wood-path of the settler's cow Is Traffic's crowded highway now.
Wise was the choice which led our sires To kindle here their household fires, And share the large content of all Whose lines in pleasant places fall.
WHITTIER.
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Dam Across the Charles River at Newton Upper Falls, 1688.
The first mill on the Newton side of the Charles River was at this point. The heavily wooded area around it naturally called for a sawmill as the first requisite. A succession of other mills and industries followed only to be given up one by one, and today the water power of the dam serves only a group of silk mills whose delicate processes are in striking contrast to those of the sawmill of 1688.
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A HOME IN NEWTON Suburban Living At Its Best
T HE historical sketch treats of Newton in gen- eral, particularly of its interesting past. The following summary calls attention to the de- sirable features of the immediate present. It is hoped that this will serve better to acquaint our residents with the special advantages of Newton, as well as to interest others who may be considering a home within our borders. Newton people, as a whole, have their interests centered in their homes and the finer things of life.
Attractive Approach Only eight miles from the State House, Newton is easily and pleasur- ably reached. Whether one goes by automobile, trolley, or train, the route is through the beautiful Back Bay section, along sightly avenues, with a continuous unfolding of attractive suburban homes culminating in those of Newton.
Natural Advantages Nature has done much to fit Newton for residential purposes. Its area is greatly diversified. Alternating hills and dales, traversed by winding roads, give a variety of building-sites suited to every taste. There are elevated locations with picturesque ledges and com- manding views, hillside lots with forest backgrounds, lakeside and semi-park locations still available. The prevailing soil is rich and fertile, with a gravelly sub- soil. This is admirable for building purposes, and for garden and lawn developments, which are here carried to such perfection. Newton is free from dampness or malaria; indeed, its healthfulness is proverbial.
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Type of Homes Practically all Newton residences are private homes with attractive grounds. This is true of the newly developed areas, as well as of the fine, old-time estates, with their grounds beautified by well-massed shrub- bery and vines, and enhanced by the presence of well- preserved native trees. The large apartment house is almost unknown here. Newton is a community of homes, and its improved building laws tend to keep it so.
Zoning The City's building development has been greatly helped by fixed zoning areas and reasonable building restrictions. Newton is divided into six zones or districts, with 93 per cent of the building area restricted to private residences. Setbacks, or prescribed distances from the street and from adjoining houses, allow adequate spacing for proper air and light.
Planning Board New streets, as originally planned, might not be in right relation to the future of a neighborhood. To correct such a condition and to prevent any detrimental developments, a Planning Board passes upon all pro- posed street lay-outs and co-operates with applicants in getting the best results.
Fire Protection Within recent years, new modern apparatus has been installed, new and enlarged water mains put in, and a system perfected which secures for Newton the coveted insurance underwriters' rating of Grade A - a rate as low as that of any city in the State.
Water
Newton water comes from a ground water source and is free from vege- table organisms or surface impurities. From the
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pumping station, it goes directly into the mains. The surplus is stored in covered reservoirs and there is no exposure to the sun or dust before it enters the houses. Connection is also made with the Metropoli- tan Water System for any emergency need.
Public Service Newton's City Departments also do much for its residents in the way of liberal public service. The City trucks call for ashes, garbage, and rubbish, and after every snowfall the city plows go over the sidewalks and streets, all without direct charge.
Living Conditions Life in Newton can be restful or active as one is inclined. It is one of those favored locations where a person can both work and rest, where the pleasures of com- panionship or retirement are equally accessible.
Newton's nearness to Boston - twenty minutes or less by express train or motor - makes that city quickly reached for business, or entertainment. Living costs are reasonable. The local stores rank with the best in Metropolitan Boston for furnishing all household supplies with dependable quality, service, and price.
Key Location Newton is the one location in Greater Boston which is the most central to all other parts of the district. Auto- mobile Route No. 128, from the south to the north and east, is laid through Newton, and another great through way is the Worcester Turnpike, a six-track roadway passing through the south side of Newton. It has been said by a former State Department of Public Works official, that Newton is so situated that it is possible to reach by automobile from Newton, over excellent highways and through
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uncongested area, more cities than from any other point in New England.
Commonwealth Avenue Boston's finest residential thorough- fare, is carried on through Newton where it becomes a double driveway 120 feet wide, with a grassed center, lined with trees, extending for five miles through the city. Another 1 attractive auto route from Boston is over the Charles River Parkway following the river through Cam- bridge and Watertown, while another favorite route is by Beacon Street through Brookline, entering Newton at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir.
New Homes Newton building development has been largely in the hands of its citi- zens who had a pride in its proper growth, and has thus been assured a more dependable type of building. This fact is known to the purchaser and invites his confidence. The progressive City Departments co- operate in the matter of building. A wise liberality in the matter of streets, sidewalks, water, and sewer facilities, and fair tax valuations, is naturally drawing the higher class of permanent residents.
Special Locations Available
Many favored locations still await newcomers - some of them suitable for large estates where retirement and privacy are desired. Other areas are available for community development where groups of congenial families can find ideal surroundings.
Oak Hill, Newton Countryside, and Stony Brae Estates, are examples of such developments now in the making.
Transportation The Boston and Albany Railroad serves the north side of the city by its Main Line, and the south side by the Circuit Line,
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with frequent and rapid trains to and from Boston. Express trains to and from New York City and the South and West stop at Newtonville. The Boston Elevated touches the city at Newton and at Chestnut Hill, and buses connect different parts of the city with neighboring communities.
The railroad tracks through the Newtons are de- pressed, with sloping banks grassed over or planted with shrubs, as on the best English lines, with an absence of grade crossings.
Masonic Temple The Masonic Temple, centrally lo- cated in Newtonville, was the second largest in the State at the time of its erection. Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs meet weekly in convenient Club Houses, and the Elks, and the Newton Catholic Club have club houses of their own.
There are also various social, literary, musical, and other cultural organizations throughout the city. The Every Saturday Club of Newtonville is a notable example of an active literary club now in its sixty- fifth year; The Neighbors, of Newton Centre, is in its fifty-eighth year; while the Eight O'clock Club of Newton is just entering on its fifty-first year. The Villagers Club of Newton Centre has also passed its fiftieth anniversary.
Schools
The Newton schools have a national reputation, attracting the best teach-
ing talent. Grade, Elementary, and Junior High Schools are conveniently located in right relation to the territory they serve. Designed by leading archi- tects, the school buildings embody the best architec- tural and practical features. The three Main High School buildings are centrally located in Newtonville.
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The High School courses are arranged for fitting students for college, but provide proper facilities for those graduates who go directly into business or industry.
Today Newton stands first among all the cities of its size, in the number of students prepared for Col- lege Entrance Board Examinations, the highest col- lege admission standard in the country. Another record is that of the boys and girls of the class of 1935 who won $12,320 in scholarships during the year.
In the program for physical education, good health is safeguarded by corrective and remedial exercises, and training for sports is under staff supervision. The Dickinson Stadium is a model of its kind.
Seven colleges are within commuting distance of Newton. There are a number of Private Schools here, and five Parochial Schools. Among the Private Schools are several of national reputation : The Lasell Junior College for Girls, The Fessenden School for Boys, and the Country Day School for Boys. The Andover Newton Theological School and Boston College are both located in Newton, the latter com- prising an architectural group of unusual distinction.
Library
The Newton Free Library with over 170,000 volumes, has a branch with Reading Room and daily delivery in each of the village centers. Newton Centre, Waban, Auburndale, and West Newton have modern Branch Library buildings, the gift of the respective villages. New- tonville, also, is planning to build one on a centrally located lot it has recently acquired.
Churches
churches :
The following religious denominations are represented by one or more Congregational, Episcopal, Baptist,
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Newton Hospital from the Air, Washington Street, Newton Lower Falls.
Newton Hospital. The Washington
Street Front and Main Entrance.
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Methodist, Catholic, Unitarian, Swedenborgian, and Christian Science.
Hospital The Newton Hospital has the ad- vantage of buildings, equipment, and service of the most modern type. Its main building, five stories high and 260 feet long, is considered in the matter of location and appointments equal to anything in New England. It is the outcome of the vision and generosity of its founders, supplemented by the wider community interest, as the hospital's growing needs were realized. The response to such needs is characteristic of the civic spirit of Newton citizens. The appeal for funds to provide for the new hospital building and its equipment, resulted in contributions of a million and a half dollars.
A well equipped Health Department Board of Health safeguards the city against any men- aces to health. It gives particular attention to the health of school children and main- tains effective food and milk inspection.
Like the Hospital, the Young Men's Young Men's Christian Association Christian Association owes its build- ing and athletic field to the generosity of the community. Besides a gym- nasium and swimming pool, the sightly upper floor of the building is fitted with attractive dormitories, which, in combination with the large Lounge or Living Room on the first floor, give a more homelike atmos- phere than is usual in such institutions.
Boy Scouts Norumbega Council, Inc., Boy Scouts of America, which now comprises the City of Newton and the Town of Wellesley, was reorganized in 1927, having been in existence since 1918. Today it includes Cubbing, for boys 9, 10, and 11 years of age; Scouting, ages 12 to 18; Senior Boy
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Program, 15 to 18; and Rovering, 18 to 80. There are 941 boys and 360 men enrolled in Newton alone.
Girl Scouts The Newton Local Council of Girl Scouts, Inc., received its first charter from the National organization in 1917. It brings a program of group activities to girls from 7 to 18 years of age. It emphasizes homemaking, citizenship, and camping under trained volunteer leadership. There are now almost 1,400 women and girls engaged in Girl Scouting in Newton.
All Newton Music School For twenty-five years this school has been a force in developing and educating the community towards a better understanding of music. Through its guid- ance sound musical education at moderate cost has been brought within the reach of all.
Financial Newton's financial position is strong, due to living within its income and the businesslike management of its affairs, com- parable to that of a large business corporation. Its budget is always balanced, and its credit is second to none. Its bond issues run with stated annual reduc- tions, and bear as low a rate of interest as those of any city in the State, if not the lowest.
Taxes In 1935 Newton's tax rate was the lowest of any city in the State, and $9.55 less than the average of the 39 Massachusetts cities. The Assessing Department, which comes in closest touch with the taxpayer, is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth, but in the applica- tion of the law it endeavors to use common sense. The steady aim of the Assessors is the uniform and equitable treatment of the property owner.
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Newton has unusual banking facili- Banks ties. A Trust Company with seven branches conveniently located in the principal business centers of the city, also a National Bank, three Savings Banks, and five Co-operative Banks, offer every form of financial service.
Parks and Playgrounds Newton's abundance of natural beauty is shared by its many parks and playgrounds. They have been located where recreational needs or scenery were most appealing. Two lakes have been largely incor- porated in the Park system. While almost the entire river frontage is controlled by the Metropolitan Park Commission, the Commission's large holdings of 233 acres have been kept free from boulevards and speed- ways, with the intention of preserving for the future the natural beauties of the riverside. Forty-two parks provide open spaces and recreation grounds, with provisions for future growth.
Boating, bathing, and skating are available wher- ever safe conditions permit. Newton's recreational playgrounds are supervised and made especially in- viting to children. There are twenty-seven of these playgrounds in Newton; those connected with the schools having athletic fields with ball grounds, tennis courts, hockey fields, etc. At Crystal Lake swimming in summer and skating in winter are at their best. During 1934, Newton had fifty-six skating days, and thirty-seven tobogganing days.
Golf
There are five golf clubs with attrac-
tive club houses, which are centers of much social life as well as outdoor activities expressed in matches, tournaments, and championships. The expert or the novice will find courses here where the
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scenery is as good as the golf; where the expert can try for the championship, or the novice can linger to replace the turf. Frequent National Matches are played here.
Clubs Home life and neighborly intercourse are at their best in Newton, as well as pleasant club facilities. Besides the club houses on the golf links, there are neighborhood or women's club houses in practically every village as the follow- ing list indicates :
Chestnut Hill - Longwood Cricket Club House.
Newton Centre - Woman's Club House, said to be
the finest woman's club house in the State.
Newton Highlands - Woman's Club House. Auburndale - Neighborhood Club House. Waban - Neighborhood Club House.
West Newton - Neighborhood Club House.
Newtonville - Woman's Club House.
Newton - Hunnewell Club House.
Nine Village Improvement Associations keep their respective communities informed regarding matters that concern not only local needs, but the general welfare of the City. In this they helpfully co-operate with the City authorities.
Community Chest In another field Newton has for several years adopted the Community Chest system with good results. Hav- ing one solicitation a year to cover all welfare organiz- ations has greatly simplified this form of giving, and has been most acceptable to our people. Preliminary to the canvas, a full statement is issued, showing just where and why the money is needed.
The Charles River
This picturesque river, which for eleven miles nearly encircles the city, is ideal for canoeing, besides revealing
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a succession of beauty spots along its course. Almost all the river frontage is under the control of the Metropolitan Park Commission, and is thus safe- guarded against undesirable use or intrusion. This protection is important to those who have, or expect to have, homes near the river.
At the Upper Falls the Charles River takes on a more spectacular aspect, narrowing to the rocky ravine of Hemlock Gorge. This area is included in the Metropolitan Park Reservation, and is a favorite resort of picnickers and lovers of the picturesque.
Echo Bridge Just back of the Gorge the striking arch of the Echo Bridge is flung across the river. Although of mas- sive masonry, it is so proportioned, that it takes on a graceful shape, especially when seen from a little distance. A writer in 1890 claimed that up to that time there was but one larger stone arch in America. Under the arch is a remarkable echo, repeating the human voice in seventeen distinct echoes, an attraction which draws many visitors from distant as well as nearby points.
Chamber of Commerce The interests of our city have been wisely advanced by the Newton Chamber of Commerce, an organized co-operative agency to promote the civic, mercantile, industrial and development interests of all the Newtons.
As an Investment The value of a home as an investment depends largely on the proper main- tenance of its neighborhood and the accession of new homes of similar type, bringing a regular and progressive gain in the city's wealth. Under such conditions, a new home in Newton
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Hemlock Gorge, Newton Upper Falls.
Echo Bridge, Newton Upper Falls.
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becomes an investment, gaining in value from the im- provements going on around it.
New Buildings Notwithstanding the times, 1935 saw a substantial increase in new taxable buildings - mostly homes - in that period.
West Is Best
Location in relation to Boston is im-
portant. Whether from the stand- point of accessibility, natural advan- tages, or investment, the Newton or western side of suburban Boston is logically the most desirable. While many roads leading from Boston are through congested and unattractive routes, the spacious western avenues are naturally preferred by those who wish to escape traffic delays.
Newton is fortunate in its immediate environment adjoining as it does the attractive suburban com- munities of Brookline, Wellesley, and Weston.
The foregoing is an attempt to portray a commu- nity that has fulfilled its early promise, and, as The Garden City of the Commonwealth, typifies suburban living at its best.
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The STORY of NEWTON
has been prepared in the interests of the city as a whole, no attempt being made to emphasize any particular part.
To fulfill its purpose the book should have a large circulation, and this is guaranteed by having the price of its 7,000 copies consistently low, 25c a copy; if by mail add 5c for mailing expense.
It will be on sale at the Village Stores, and Libraries, but mail orders should be sent to the Newtonville Library Association, Inc., Newtonville, Mass., to whom all the proceeds go, to apply to the Branch Library Building Fund.
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The Engravings in the book were made and donated by THE OLD SOUTH PHOTO ENGRAVING CO. of Boston, represented by these Newton residents: Ray Huntsman, Charles C. Balcom, Wilfred G. Paine.
The Paper is from CARTER, RICE & CO., Boston. The Printing was done by THE GARDEN CITY PRESS, a Newton owned company, and the Pen and Ink Drawings were done by CHARLES N. SLADEN, a Newtonville artist.
The author appreciates the many helpful suggestions received during the progress of the book, and particularly the co-operation from members of the Newtonville Library Association, Inc.
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.... ...
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The Engravings in the book were made and donated by THE OLD SOUTH PHOTO ENGRAVING CO. of Boston, represented by these Newton residents: Ray Huntsman, Charles C. Balcom, Wilfred G. Paine.
The Paper is from CARTER, RICE & CO., Boston. The Printing was done by THE GARDEN CITY PRESS, a Newton owned company, and the Pen and Ink Drawings were done by CHARLES N. SLADEN, a Newtonville artist.
The author appreciates the many helpful suggestions received during the progress of the book, and particularly the co-operation from members of the Newtonville Library Association, Inc.
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A MAP TO SHOW MAIN HIGHWAYS, LOCATION OF VILLAGES, R. R. STATIONS, GOLF CLUBS, AND OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST.
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