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 Willowdale Mill Reservation Posted by:  bctrail
N 42° 39.497 W 070° 53.436
19T E 345046 N 4724601
A 25 acre property in Hamilton, Massachusetts, the site of a factory making woolen goods from ca 1830 to 1884, and powered by the Ipswich River. Only the dam, sluiceway, and a cellar hole remain.
Waymark Code: WM6T4W
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 07/16/2009
Views: 2
This is one of many properties owned by the
Essex County Greenbelt. There is a good property description on this web site, and you can get a trail map there also. This 25 acre property is bounded on the east by Winthrop Street, on the north by the Ipswich River, on the west by Bradley Palmer State Park (BPSP), and on the south by BPSP and private property.
This property abuts the northeast corner of BPSP. The trails are closely integrated with those in the Park, including the use of Park system intersection marker numbers in the Reservation. The
Discover Hamilton Trail also goes through here.
The mill was destroyed 125 years ago, and the cellar hole leaves a lot for the imagination to fill in. The sluiceway is barely touched by time, and contains some stagnant pools in the wet season. The dam remains, although it is not part of the property. There is even a functional fish ladder around the dam. The mill is cross-posted here.
The hours are not stated, but I suspect they are sunrise to sunset. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Estimated size of the public land (in regional measurement standard: hectares, acres, kms, etc.): 25 acres
Is there a trail system?: Yes
If there is a trail system, please describe length, terrain, etc.:
It is a well established and maintained trail system, merging seamlessly with BPSP. Total trails length is about two miles. They are flat or with moderate grades.
What points of interest are there?:
The mill site, sluiceway, dam, beautiful forest trails, and about 1/3 mile frontage along the Ipswich River.
What activities are available?:
Hiking, birding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, canoeing, horse back riding.
Hours of accessibility?: Dawn to dusk.
List of known hazards (cliffs, snakes, poison plants, etc.):
Poison ivy.
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Is a permit/fee required?: No
If a permit/fee is required please describe in detail how to get one, how much, etc.:
None
Please supply the website of the land if available: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Visitors are encouraged to supply a picture of either themselves or their GPS at the trailhead and/or signage of the public access lands - describe your experience there and what you saw - tell us why other folks should come visit!
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