On our way elsewhere, we passed by an intriguing spot just off Route 44, 8 Nemasket Street, in Middleboro, and discovered a very cool historic site along the Nemasket River. As soon as we pulled into the good-sized parking area I knew I had heard of this before–Peter Oliver’s Mill Park has a fish ladder that is essential for migrating herring in the spring. My friend Brenda (Natures Fairy on Youtube) has shared videos of the migrating herring, but I had no idea it had all the historic features we found.
Thie site had an amazing number of industries that used the power of the river, including a iron foundry, grist mill, saw mill, Blacksmith shop and cider mill, among other enterprises. A short history of the area and its industries can be found here. Additional information about the area can be found here.
While we were here in late summer, the fish ladder remains, and will play its part in the coming spring when the herring once again return upstream to spawn above the ladder and dam in this small park area.
Small bridges have been built across the multiple channels of the river that were created at various times for the multitude of industries that used the river. We were stunned at the stonework throughout the park, bridge abutments, dam structures, and huge relatively flat stones placed as natural bridges over the river.
I used my hiking poles, and found a few spots where I chose not to go, but for the most part the park provided Easy Walking for visitors. Do watch out for poison ivy along the paths, especially the steps that take you closer to the water’s edge.
We visited a day after a pretty big rain storm and the river was running well, offering the sweet sound of flowing water all along the herring run. We saw no herring, (they have all gone by now!) but promised ourselves we will return in the spring to see this migration of fish that has helped make this an important part of the environment for centuries. Happy trails!
Marjorie
Marjorie Turner Hollman is a personal historian who loves the outdoors, and is the author of Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, More Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, and editor of Easy Walks and Paddles in the Ten Mile River Watershed. The newest book is Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are.
She has been a freelance writer for numerous local, regional, and national publications for the past 20+ years, has helped numerous families to save their stories, and has recorded multiple veterans oral histories, now housed at the Library of Congress.
