The Trustees: Weir Hill

On the same day I visited Addison Gallery of American Art and Stevens Estate at Osgood Hill, I took a walk at Weir Hill run by the Trustees of Reservations in North Andover, MA. The 194-acre park is connected to Osgood Hill and part of the former Stevens family estate, along with an Essex National Heritage Site. With free parking an admission, plus clear signage on the four miles of trail, this is a great walk for those in the area, along with a place to learn about often overlooked local history.

Looking down from the top of a tree-covered hill. A light blue sign with the Trustees t logo and the words Public Welcome Weir Hill, plus a smaller sign reading Essex National Heritage Site A large sign with a topographical map, fun facts about the area, and information about both the Trustees and Weir Hill

As mentioned in my post on Stevens Estate, Moses Stevens was heir to a local textile mill founded by his father, Nathaniel Stevens, in 1814. Moses bought the properties that became Weir Hill during the late 19th century. The unusual name is pronounced “wire” and comes from Middle English, meaning a dam for catching fish or raising the water to power a mill. The property is surrounded by small Stevens Pond and Lake Cochichewick, which currently acts as a reservoir. In 1897, Moses turned the area into North Andover Country Club at Weir Hill, which was originally a tennis club. The clubhouse was moved across the lake around 1907, and the club added a 7-hole golf course by 1909. Today, the golf course has nine holes, while the tennis courts have expanded to include paddle tennis and pickleball.

A sign post with three signs. One for Scrub Oak Trail with a red arrow pointing up, one for Stevens Trail with two yellow arrows pointing left and right, and a map of Weir Hill Next to the pond, a small stone boat storage shed with a padlocked wooden door and a plaque dedicating the shed. A stone tunnel overgrown with weeds and defaced by graffiti

The Essex Railroad once traveled over the Stevens Pond causeway. For those who enjoy railroad history, the Essex Railroad opened in 1847 and connected Salem to Lawrence, but was bought by the Boston & Maine Railroad in 1884. Additionally, the 1851 Danvers & Georgetown Railroad was slated to connect to Essex Railroad, but that never came to pass. Instead, that section of rail became Topsfield Linear Common. As for the lake, boating is allowed for town residents with the proper permit. Boats can be stored in “The Hatch”, a shed dedicated to John J. Gaffny Jr., Vincent B. Landers Sr., and John J. Willis Sr. These three men donated their water rights to Lake Cochichewick to the town of North Andover in 1971. Pollution has historically affected the 560 acre lake initially because of the local mills and now due to fertilizer runoff and people not picking up after their dogs. The town conducts studies to keep its water safe, with the last report released in 2020. While this reservation does not have any famous landmarks or historic buildings, Weir Hill and the nearby lake are a reminder that history is ongoing, and what happened in the past continues to affect the present.

A round stone tunnel overgrown with weeds and defaced by graffiti A sign post with four signs, including Weir Hill Trail with a blue arrow pointed up, Cochichewick Trail with a yellow arrow pointed right, Alewife Trail with an arrow pointed left, and a map of Weir Hill. A small lake rimmed by trees reflecting the bright blue sky and clouds.
Location: Weir Hill, 65 Stevens St, North Andover, MA 01845, USA