Lake Boon

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Lake Boon
Location	Stow and Hudson, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42°24′11″N, 71°30′05″WCoordinates: 42°24′11″N, 71°30′05″W
Primary inflows	Assabet River
Catchment area	1,690 acres (680 ha)
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	1.5 mi (2.4 km)
Surface area	163 acres (66 ha)
Average depth	10.7 ft (3.3 m)
Max. depth	23 ft (7.0 m)
Settlements	Stow, Hudson

Lake Boon is a lake in eastern Massachusetts covering about 163 acres^[1] in the towns of Stow, Hudson, Massachusetts. It has been an important part of the Stow and Hudson communities since the towns originated. It was originally named Boon Pond, after Matthew Boon, an explorer from Charlestown, Massachusetts who came to the area in 1660.^[2] He was the first of two settlers in Stow and was killed by Indians near the Lake on about February 14, 1676.^[3] In 1883 a monument was erected in memory of him.^[3]

1 History
2 References

[edit] History

[edit] Expansion

The Lake consists of four basins. The first basin made up the original part of the Lake. It is the largest basin of the four and stretches from the Narrows to the dam on Barton Road in Stow.^[3] It is the only part of the lake that is completely in Stow.^[3] A dam was built in this basin to separate where the lake met the Assabet River and to supply power to a mill in the town of Maynard. It was also created in order to expand the “pond”, now known as the first basin. The expansion went into the Ramshorn Meadow and the Ramshorn Swamp. The meadow area is now known as the Second Basin, while the swamp area is known as the Third and Fourth Basins. The expansion helped locals to recognize this body of water no longer as a pond, but as a lake.^[2]

The Lake has grown significantly over the years. It is now 163 acres (0.66 km²) in size, and one and a half miles long. The depth of the First Basin is 23 ft (7.0 m), the deepest part of the lake. The Second Basin is only 10 ft (3.0 m) deep, the Third Basin is a mere 7 ft (2.1 m) deep, and the Fourth Basin is an incredible 4 ft (1.2 m) deep.^[2]

[edit] Golden age

Lake Boon became a hot summer spot towards the end of the 1800’s. It was easily accessible because of two railroad lines that ran by it. These railroad lines came out of Boston, which made the Lake a great summer spot for city dwellers. At this time Lake Boon, had a hotel, many clubs, two post offices, churches, and local stores.^[2]

In order to get from the railroad stops to the lake's hot spots, a ferry service was put into action. The steamship “Cleo” created a ferry line around 1900 that went from two points: Whitman’s Crossing near the Sudbury Rd bridge in Stow, and the Ordway Station in Hudson. In 1910 a gas powered ferry called the Princess replaced the Cleo.^[2]

The installment of automobiles into the economy made it easier for people to travel longer distances. Therefore this small vacation spot became obsolete, and made way for permanent residents to live here instead of only visiting here. With the lack of visitors and increase in residents, the hotel was shut down.

[edit] Present

These days Lake Boon serves as a very important part of the Stow and Hudson communities. In the summer it provides a place for camps, and swim lessons. The town beach, located in Stow on the First Basin, recently installed new picnic tables and grills to attract families to come and the spend the day. During the summer, the town beach is open to the public.