Newton Lower Falls
Newton Lower Falls is a village rich in history. As early as 1704, a dam could be found generating power for a nearby ironworks. By 1816, six paper mills received their power from this dam and three others from a dam lower on the Charles River. The mills attracted settlers to Newton Lower Falls and by 1823, the population had reached 405 with 33 dwellings. With stagecoach service three times weekly to Boston, the village flourished. During the late 19th century, however, the local industry could no longer compete with the larger paper making centers and residential development all but ceased. The village remained rather unchanged until the years following WWII.
Route 128 construction during the 1950s and urban renewal programs of the 1970s all but destroyed the paper industry's remaining buildings, leaving only remnants of the once prosperous mill village.
The first paper mill was built by John Ware at 2276 Washington Street in 1790. Lemuel Crehore became part owner of the mill in 1825 and acquired full ownership twenty years later. It was owned by the family until 1919 but continued to produce paper until 1938. The mill was built of local granite and still stands today. Renovations for modern use have been completed carefully in order to protect the architectural integrity of the building. The old mill building appears on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a Newton Landmark Preservation Site in 2000 by the Newton Historical Commission. The dam used to generate power for the mill, known since the 1860s as Cordingly Dam, still stands.
While visitors to Newton Lower Falls will not find an abundance of local shops and restaurants, the neighboring villages house many. While in Newton Lower Falls, visitors can take a walking tour of the historical sites and stop by the old Crehore Mill building.
