WPA Stonework
(Courtesy: Dana Smith)
Description
“In the 1930’s the Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook a series of improvements including the construction of the loop road around the summit [of Waitt’s Mount].” A 1937 WPA Bulletin reported:
In 1934 Waitt’s Mount in Maiden looked like a quarry-workers’ nightmare. It was a huge, bald and jagged granite ledge whose slope was covered with twisted, stunted trees and tangled underbrush; probably the most useless piece of land in this section of the state. Today the Mount is a beautifully terraced park which commands a 15-mile panorama of metropolitan Boston. The park, built by the WPA, has landscaped slopes, shade trees, rustic bridges, rock gardens, bird baths, stone walks, fireplaces, picnic benches, a complete drainage system and a 20 foot roadway which winds from the base to the top of the hill. There, the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey has a station for communication with coastal defenses and other governmental signal stations. When the project first started many observers said it was a foolish gesture; that nothing could ever be done with the waste land. To sum it up — Sponsor’s Agent George Blakeslee says: “They said it couldn’t be done but we’ve done it.”
Between 2012 and 2014, the park underwent renovations while protecting some preexisting elements, such as WPA-build stone walls. The renovations were focused closer to the Mount’s summit area, whereas, the actual park boundaries extend out a bit further. In these extended areas of the park, one can find many more existing remnants/structures that were part of the original 1930s WPA project.
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One of the two stone fireplace structures at Waitt’s Mount Park, photographed not long after the WPA Project’s 1937 completion. Located on the western side of the park.
Western Stone Fireplace, circa 1937
One of the two stone fireplace structures at Waitt’s Mount Park, photographed not long after the WPA Project’s 1937 completion. Located on the western side of the park.
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Located on the western side of the park, this structure is one of two stone fireplaces that still exist on site.
Western Stone Fireplace in 2017
Located on the western side of the park, this structure is one of two stone fireplaces that still exist on site.
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Old stone walkway, somewhat in disrepair, but not entirely unused today. This reaches out to the park’s southern end with great views of Boston and surrounding areas, which you can just make out in the distance.
Stone Walk
Old stone walkway, somewhat in disrepair, but not entirely unused today. This reaches out to the park’s southern end with great views of Boston and surrounding areas, which you can just make out in the distance.
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Original, WPA-built wall running along the park’s southern perimeter.
Perimeter Wall
Original, WPA-built wall running along the park’s southern perimeter.
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Section of ‘The Loop’ along the western side of the park. Today this is a resurfaced walkway around the summit of Waitt’s Mount, but was originally built as part of the WPA project. Prior to the park’s 2012 redevelopment, it had supported automobiles.
Loop Walkway
Section of ‘The Loop’ along the western side of the park. Today this is a resurfaced walkway around the summit of Waitt’s Mount, but was originally built as part of the WPA project. Prior to the park’s 2012 redevelopment, it had supported automobiles.
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Section of ‘The Loop’ along the southern end of the park. Today this is a resurfaced walkway around the summit of Waitt’s Mount, but was originally built as part of the WPA project. Prior to the park’s 2012 redevelopment, it had supported automobiles.
Loop Foundation
Section of ‘The Loop’ along the southern end of the park. Today this is a resurfaced walkway around the summit of Waitt’s Mount, but was originally built as part of the WPA project. Prior to the park’s 2012 redevelopment, it had supported automobiles.
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Original stone stairs heading down to what was once a picnic area at the southern end of the park. To the stairs’ right is a section of ‘The Loop’, also part of the WPA project. In 2012, this was updated to become a resurfaced walkway around the summit of Waitt’s Mount, but it had originally supported automobiles.
Stone Stairs and The Loop
Original stone stairs heading down to what was once a picnic area at the southern end of the park. To the stairs’ right is a section of ‘The Loop’, also part of the WPA project. In 2012, this was updated to become a resurfaced walkway around the summit of Waitt’s Mount, but it had originally supported automobiles.
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Overgrown and seldom used today, this seems to have been a picnic area developed by the WPA. Just to the right of the original fireplace, are the old stone stairs leading back to ‘The Loop’ walkway. All these structures date back to the WPA project.
Southern Fireplace and Stairs
Overgrown and seldom used today, this seems to have been a picnic area developed by the WPA. Just to the right of the original fireplace, are the old stone stairs leading back to ‘The Loop’ walkway. All these structures date back to the WPA project.
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The remnants of one (of two) stone fireplaces built as part of the WPA project. Located in the southern end of the park.
Southern Stone Fireplace
The remnants of one (of two) stone fireplaces built as part of the WPA project. Located in the southern end of the park.
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(Courtesy: Dana Smith)
WPA Stonework Detail
(Courtesy: Dana Smith)
Source notes
https://www.shadleyassociates.com/article?article=17
Works Progress Bulletin, Massachusetts: Oct. 1, 1937 (pg. 2)
https://archive.org/details/worksprogressbul3637unitSite visit, 2017.
Project originally submitted by Evan Kalish & Dana Smith on October 14, 2014.
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Hello,
My name is Jeffrey Stanton and I grew up for many a year atop the mount! As a young lad,I roamed all about throughout the year in a all weather condition’s. It does this old mans heart good to see the area has finally been given the respect it has deserved for so many years! Many,Many happy memories attached to the Mount as we youngsters used to call it. My grand parents lived in Malden for over 80+ years up at Wallace St, for over 60+years. As a youngster,for a time,I would wander all about the Hill,Tremont,lenoard,Marion,Whipple streets and the surrounding wooded areas from early morning till sunset or when the street lights came on at dusk in the Fall and Winter months. I am looking forward to a visit to the site very soon to enjoy the improvements and remissness about the past boyhood memories.