City Council Committee on Water records relating to Spot Pond

Series — Box: SB - 009, Folder: 13-14

Identifier: 0140.026

Staff Only

Scope and Contents note

This collection consists of the records of the Water Committtee during its consideration in 1845 of Spot Pond as a source of pure water for the City of Boston. In addition to motions and minutes, it contains correspondence about measuring the water at Spot Pond, citizen resolutions in favor of the introduction of pure water, and petitions in support of the Spot Pond Aqueduct Project.

Dates

1845

Creator

Boston (Mass.). City Council. Committee on Water (Organization)

Biographical/Historical note

When the citizens of Boston began to consider the necessity of introducing a pure water supply to the City in the early 1800's, several different projects were brought forward. Spot Pond was naturally the subject of examination, because it was one of the largest fresh water bodies nearby.

Besides undertaking various engineering investigations about how to design the system, they had to consider whether the service would be sponsored by a private business. Ultimately it was determined that the water ought to come from Long Pond in Natick, and the City constructed the Cochituate Water System. Water flowed into the Frog Pond on Boston Common for the dedication ceremony in 1848.