1792 Newton Iron Works took over and rolled iron bars for 50 years. A millrace was put in place here in 1782 for a sawmill. This is also the site of a portage under Route 9 on the Ellis Street underpass, down to Turtle Island. Again, the dam was not marked and was harder to hear because it was right next to the overpass for Route 9. Next on the river was the Circular Dam or Horseshoe Dam. The dam is often called the Silk Mill Dam because of this long running use of the dam. In 1824 a cotton mill was added, which was later converted to a silk mill. In 1788 Simon Elliot bought part of the site and put in a snuff mill. His sons expanded by adding a fulling mill and a grist mill. The fall of water at Hemlock Gorge was an attractive power supply for industry.

The bridge was built in 1876, spanning 130 feet across the Charles River. In 1878, the mainstream of the Sudbury River was diverted via the Sudbury Aqueduct to the Chestnut Hill Reservoir to supply water for the City of Boston. Echo BridgeĮcho Bridge carries the Sudbury Aqueduct. It is famous for the wonderful echoes that can resonate back and forth between the arches. Just downstream of the Silk Mill Dam is Echo Bridge. It was fairly long walk of about 200 yards through Hemlock Gorge Reservation, leading down into Hemlock Gorge between Newton’s Upper Falls and the Echo Bridge. I quickly turned around and paddled upstream to good spot to take the kayak out of the river and start the portage. Then I noticed that the river seemed to disappear and there was an increasing roar. I noticed an old industrial building on the right bank and noted that it looked like an old mill building. I am glad I remembered this landmark because the dam was not marked. The Elliot Street Bridge is made of three stone arches and appears just before the Silk Mill Dam. During its peak, forty car trains of fill ran every 45 minutes. Built in 1850, this rail line was built to bring stone and gravel from Needham to fill Boston’s Back Bay. This bridge was for the Charles River branch of the Boston and Worcester Railroad. There is a modern railroad bridge abutting older stone abutments which mark the location of an older bridge. I knew I had a few portages ahead on the river. If you remember your history of the industrial revolution in the northeast, this means there are dams along the river. There are significant industrial buildings along the river. So they served as a visual reminder in front of me for the job I had just left behind. At one point I had represented clients who had bought, sold or leased space on most of the towers. The Needham radio and television towers are visible in the distance once you enter this section of the river. This park is where the Charles River Wheelmen start and finish their Saturday fitness rides.

There was a dock at the park which made the launch very easy.

Unlike the rather pristine Stop River Confluence area of the Charles River, the Hemlock Gorge section is more urban, passing houses, factories and highways.

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