Indian Head River
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The Indian Head River is located on the Hanover, Massachusetts, Pembroke, Massachusetts, border and covers about 8 acres. It was probably a fishing and travel spot for Wompatuck Indians.
The park it runs through is called Luddams Ford Park named after a guide, James Luddam, who carried Governor Winthrop across the river to get to Weymouth, Massachusetts. In November 1873 Eugene H. Clapp bought the Old Forge Property from George Curtis where he built the Clapp Rubber Factory on the river. Today the factory is no longer there but the mercury pollution from the factory still clings to the rocks and fish making it unsafe to drink the water and eat the fish. Also along the river on the Pembroke side is what looks like a mud pit but is actually rubber that you can bounce on for fun.
Today lies a man made dam and fish ladder. The river is annually stocked with trout. It also has a small beaver population. For two weeks during the summer the herring run up stream to spawn. There is a warning not to feed the water fowl, if herring are caught they must be released and no motor boats are allowed. Once a year the Hanover Police hold a free fishing derby for anybody that has a fishing license and a fishing rod.
There is a plaque that is embedded in the wall on a bridge that crosses the river. The plaque says:
"The Bay Path at Luddam's Ford across the Indian Head River the boundary line between _____ Hanover 1632 Gov. Winthrop crossed here on the back of James Luddam, his Guide. Site of Saw Mill 1693 Bardin Iron Works 1704 Curtis Anchor Works 1791
Pembroke Anchor for the Warship Constitution made here in 1797. A Grist Mill 1832 Carding Mill 1839 Clapp Rubber Co. 1873"
