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The Middlesex Canal was the first major public works project of the new Republic. Commenced in 1793 and completed 10 years later, it ran 27 miles from Lowell (then still part of Chelmsford) to Charlestown and linked the Merrimack River to the Charles, opening up New Hampshire to the Boston economy. It was dug by hand, with nothing more than shovels and wheelbarrows. The Superintendent even had to invent a dump wagon to help move the earth being excavated.
The Canal operated for almost 50 years till the Boston and Lowell Railway put it out of business – a barge pulled by a single horse at no more than 4 mph took an entire day to make the trip, and there was no traffic allowed after dark, plus it shut down and was drained for the Winter to avoid freezing. The Canal even carried the materials used to build the B&L!
Demand for land has left few traces of the Canal in Lowell or Charlestown, but there are still sections in Woburn, Wilmington and Billerica, some still even containing water. The mansion of its first Superintendent, Naomi Baldwin, still stands in Woburn and is now an excellent Sichuan restaurant, Sichuan Garden, well known for the cocktails available in its Baldwin Bar!
The Middlesex Canal Association was formed in 1962 to preserve what remained of the Canal and has even been given a few sections of it! The Association has a Museum in N. Billerica at the Canal’s high point where it crossed the Concord River, from which it drew its water. The Association organizes two hikes on different sections of the Canal and two bike rides that trace the entire length of the Canal each year and we will join them on their Fall hike. Afterwards, those who chose to can visit the Sichuan Garden.
Cost: $10 per person, which will be donated to the Middlesex Canal Association. Please pre-register here no later than Saturday, October 14. Your confirmation will provide information on the meeting point. There is a limit of 20 people so that we don’t overwhelm their regular attendance.
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