The History of Bedford by A.E. Brown chronicles the story of the area around Fawn Lake, known as Bedford Springs.
Brown writes that the three springs “attracted the attention of the aborigines long before 1643-44, when ‘Shaweshin was granted to Cambridge.” In 1835 the site was part of a farm owned by Augustus Pierce, who noticed that cattle preferred the spring water, and cows who regularly drank it gave better milk.
An analysis of the water in each of the three springs was done by Dr. Jackson, of Boston, revealing that one spring contained minerals of iron; the second, sulfur; and the third, saline. These results prompted investors to purchase the farm and erect the Bedford Springs health resort, complete with hotel, bath house, stables and bowling alley. Unfortunately, this early resort was not a commercial success until it was purchased, in 1856, by Dr. William Hayden.
The accompanying photos show the original resort building, prior to Dr. Hayden’s more successful Sweetwater Hotel and resort.
These photos are brought to you courtesy of the Bedford Historical Society. The Society was founded in 1893 and exists today to preserve Bedford’s history. Learn more about the Society at its web page, www.bedfordmahistory.org or on its Facebook page. Visit the Historical Society in its archives in the Bedford Police Station. Contact the Society by email at [email protected] or call 781-275-7276 for hours or directions.
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Always glad to see Bedford’s history shared with everyone. I respectfully disagree with the ID of the first two photos–that wasn’t the Springs Hotel, it was a house on the grounds. The third photo is indeed the Springs Hotel, which was later demolished and replaced with the more imposing Sweetwater Hotel.