Baker Dam - Boston-Milton, MA
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 42° 16.246 W 071° 04.117
19T E 329406 N 4681911
The Baker Dam, the last obstruction across the Neponset River before it merges with the Neponset Estuary, has a long history of powering mills and a chocolate factory.
Waymark Code: WM5W4Q
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 02/18/2009
Views: 6
The present structure known as the Baker Dam in the Lower Mills neighborhood that is part of both Boston and Milton, is also the site where the river was used to power one of the first grist mills, paper mills, and chocolate mills in the country.
In 1633/4, Israel Stoughton obtained permission to build a grist mill on the Neponset River in Dorchester (then on both sides of the river). The town records first mention the mill, then a weir dam (a partial blockage of the river to divert some water to the mill). Over the years, the river became fully dammed and more mills were established. In 1675, a gun powder mill was established on the other side of the grist mill. In the 1700s, John Hannon established a chocolate mill in the fulling mill then operating. Later, the Baker family took over the mill. The Walter Baker Chocolate Company became a world-recognized brand by the late 1800s. The company is now gone. In 1955 floods partially or fully breached the dam, and it was rebuilt to the structure seen, today. It was rebuilt as part of effort to control the river to prevent flooding of the village.
Today, the dam is maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Another state agency, the Mass. Riverways Program of Massachusetts Fish and Game has proposed removing this and a dam upstream to open the river for fish like herring and smelt that spawn in fresh water.
There are actually two parts to the dam. The upper dam is the concrete structure between two building upstream of Adams Street. There is a walking path that parallels the trolley line (be careful - it's active!) where you can see the dam. The upper dam has about a 6 ft fall. The lower dam, visible on the downstream side of the Adams Street bridge, is a series of small walls about 2 ft high, presently.
So, stay tuned and visit this wonderful location before the dam is gone!
Waterway where the dam is located: Neponset River
Main use of the Water Dam: Flood Control
Material used in the structure: Concrete
Height of Dam: 6 ft
Date built: 01/01/1964
Fishing Allowed: Not Listed
Motor Sports Allowed: Not Listed
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