On November 9, over 30 residents of Newton Lower Falls gathered by the Hamilton Community Center for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the installation of two information signs that celebrate the history of Newton’s westernmost village.
The Lower Falls Improvement Association (LFIA) and Historic Newton began collaborating in 2022 to create and install the signs – one on the east side of the Hamilton Community Center and the other at the intersection of Grove and Hagar Streets.
Lisa Dady, Director of Historic Newton spoke about the challenges of capturing the rich history of Lower Falls in just two signs. The area was inhabited for generations by Indigenous people who fished and traveled along the river they called Quinobequin (now called the Charles River). Rapid development by colonists transformed it in the early 1800s, as the river was used to power a variety of mills. Papermaking, which began in Lower Falls in 1790, became one of Newton’s largest industries.
The village prospered, and soon important institutions developed, including the city’s first post office and fire brigade, as well as St. Mary’s Church. Founded in 1812, it is the city’s oldest church still standing. Throughout the 19th century, prominent residents continued to shape local, state, and national history. (For more information about Lower Falls history, visit the LFIA website’s history page.)
LFIA Civics Chair Cyrisse Jaffee spoke about how the partnership between herself and Tori Zissman – two former educators residing in Lower Falls who describe themselves as “history nerds” – wanted to preserve and protect the village’s history. At the same time, they hoped that these two signs would inspire the community, especially young people, to gain a connection to the past as they help shape the future.
The Lower Falls neighborhood has long been known for its community spirit and a tradition of neighbors helping neighbors. Sources of connection include its very active email listserv, where people exchange resources, recommendations, and advice; the annual Falls Ball – a neighborhood party that began in the 1970s; and the Share the Love Potluck, in which people share food from their various cultures. Several in the crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting noted that had grown up in Lower Falls many decades ago and had attended Hamilton School.
The sign by the Hamilton Community Center focuses on the Hamilton School and these former residents:
- Sarah Fuller, who founded the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, gave Helen Keller her first speech lesson, and was a friend of Alexander Graham Bell.
- Elizabeth Eaton Bolt, a female mill owner who established profit-sharing for her employees;
- Alexander Hamilton Rice, who served as Mayor of Boston, as a Representative in Congress, and as Governor of Massachusetts;
- Daniel B. Hagar, who taught with Susan B. Anthony, was head of Salem State University, and helped establish the National Education Association
The sign by the intersection of Hagar and Grove Streets focuses on how the natural environment shaped its history, first as a home to Indigenous peoples, and then to colonists who introduced papermaking and other industries. The first paper mill was built in 1790, and by 1820 Lower Falls was producing book paper, newsprint, and bank notes. From that base, the population grew and the village thrived.
