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Walking Massachusetts

Route 53

August 27, 1997

7 hours

This walk began in Weymouth Landing, a point I first reach in the very early stages of my walking history. I am not actually certain, but I believe this was on a walk that started at Quincy Center and proceeded south to Whitman, where I turned west, ending in Brockton. Since that time, I have walked other portions of Route 53; and the plan of this walk, as reflected in its title, was to link those sections together, and, if possible, reach its end in Kingston. The second goal was not attained, as the long, curved diversion to the east that I made to avoid repetition on a stretch of 53 consumed too much time. As a result, a further walk (Completion of Route 53) was made on June 20, 2000.

To reach my starting point, I took the MBTA 225 bus from Quincy Center. The intent was to follow this to the first gap in my traversal of Route 53, south of Weymouth Landing. However, I did not start as early as desired; and, when I saw that it was already 8:00 AM, with the bus nearing the Landing, I decided I would begin earlier. I was eager to be walking, and it had been so long since I had been in this neighborhood that any repetition would not be so bothersome.

Accordingly, at 8:05, I got out at the stop just opposite Quirk Chevrolet/Quirk Oldsmobile. (On a later “regional” walk, made on November 17, 2001, I passed this point and saw that an office of Eastern Bank was here. I don’t recall whether that was the case then.). Here Commercial Street, running from the west, meets the southern end of Quincy Avenue, with Commercial then curving south.

Somehow mistaken about the geography of this area, previously rather well known to me, I falsely believed that I was in Weymouth on Washington Street. I had somehow forgotten that part of Weymouth Landing is actually in Braintree, my former hometown. (Had I looked across the street and to the north, I would have seen a sign for Braintree municipal parking that would have dispelled my geographical error.)

Crossing Commercial Street, I felt that this indeed all-commercial area still looked very much as it did decades ago. On family drives and shopping excursions (then very much different given the non-existence of malls), we often went through here, though I cannot recollect actually stopping for any reason. Indeed, on a few relatively long bicycle trips as a youth, this was about as far from home as I might get. (What passed for a very like bike ride then would only rate as a short walk for me now!)

Under the delusion that I was further south than I was, I supposed that Watson Park, shown on my map, must be behind the stores I was seeing on my right.  (There is a Watson Park in Braintree, too, just north of here, adjacent to the Watson Park Braintree branch library. I am not sure I ever knew that before making the 2001 walk cited.) Among these establishments were Marion’s Shoes and, further on, Lamb Insurance.

On the other side of the street I saw El Serape, a Mexican restaurant. On my side was the Fat Man’s Café, a bar. Just before Brookside Road was another drinking establishment, The Landing Pub. Without knowing it, I was now in Weymouth (on Washington Street), having somehow stepped over Smelt Brook. (On a subsequent walk, I have noted that there is a sign at the border, denoting Weymouth as a fair housing community. Perhaps I was too busy taking notes on stores to see it on this occasion.)

Named after the town of that name in England, Weymouth was settled as Wessagusset in 1622 and incorporated with its present name in 1635.  Manufacturing, and particularly the shoe industry, was formerly important here but now it is more service industry and residential in character.  Since 1980, the population has been relatively stable, numbering around 55,000. Abigail Adams is the most famous native of Weymouth.

On the left was Ye Old Brick Grille, which at least appeared to be as much of a pub as the two others. On my side I saw the South Shore Music Company, with the Iguana Music Studio. Further on that side came the Weymouth Liquor Mart, immediately followed by Nick’s Restaurant, a breakfast and lunch place.

Across the street, I noticed Peking Kitchens, a small establishment that did not look at all inviting. On the right, I went by the Weymouth Savings Bank. I now crossed Front Street. (An old view of this area on the Internet identifies it is as Washington Square.)

I passed on my side the Brava Building, with Brava Real Estate, Inc. On the other side was the Sacred Heart Church (bingo Wednesdays at 6:45 PM). Repairs (as noted on its web site history section) were being made to the front steps of this fairly large and architecturally undistinguished brick edifice. (I noted on the 2001 walk cited that this parish was established in 1871.)

I was going uphill now. To my right I went by Hilltop Appliance, Inc. Further on that side came South Shore Podiatry, followed by a Dunkin Donuts. Just after that was Post Office Plaza, with a Tax Man and other business.

I saw across the street the Bra-Wey Florist, with the Daniel H. Clancy Funeral Home directly after. Now I went by the Post Office building. (On that subsequent walk, I saw its cornerstone, dated 1940 and noting that it was built by the Federal Works Administration.) Above the front door was engraved “Weymouth,” then a space, suggesting to me that this once had been the Weymouth Landing post office.

However that may be, Weymouth has four zip codes and this area is indeed “Weymouth” to the Postal Service, zip code (which does not appear on this building) 02188. East Weymouth is 01289, South Weymouth is 02190 and North Weymouth is 02191. The Weymouth Fore River lies between Weymouth and Braintree, and the Weymouth Back River between Weymouth and Hingham.

Just past the postal building was an auto service for which no name was visible. Following this, I saw a path from the sidewalk to a park, wondering what that could be. In fact, it was Watson Park; I never did catch on to my initial geographical error and, not consulting my map, still thought I was further south than I was.

Some homes were now apparent. At 127 Washington (my side) was a white two and half story house, with black shutters, that was for sale. Further along came Alltown Propane Company. (Best Impressions Printing, I learned on the later walk, is in the same building.) Then, at 139, was Customer Computer Solutions – the very source of my PC!

To the left I saw Richmond Street, running uphill with homes on both sides. Then on that side I noticed Weymouth Travel. On my side, was the Flower Box, in a gray colonial building with a purple door. Just past this was a small white church, now home to the Fire Escape Ministries, featuring a coffee house Saturdays nights from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. (On a walk on May 4, 2002 that event was described as gospel singing.)

On the other side, I observed three homes, followed by Weymouth Landing Cleaners and Tailors. I passed a small home on my right at 179. Further on that side was the Lincoln Square Service station, denoting the name of this area (a sub-locality of Weymouth Landing, judging by the maps). Past this I saw cars from Blue Cab of Braintree (evidently not observing the sign, seen on the November 20o1 walk, indicating that Town Taxi of Weymouth is also here, presumably reflecting a business merger).

I noticed across the street Morrells Country Kitchen. This small restaurant, featuring ribs, was already open. Just past it was Dick’s Barber Shop. On my side I encountered the South Shore Cooperative Bank.

It felt pleasant in the cool and overcast weather, though I anticipated less favorable walking conditions as the sun was (correctly) forecast to come out later. Across the street, on the corner before Broad Street, I saw a closed fire station; instructions to call 911 were posted on it. (On my May 2002 walk I learned that this was Fire Station Eight, dating to 1929.)

On my right I passed a mini-mall with a Dairy Mart and the Lincoln Square Laundromat.  On the left, facing on Broad, was large apartment building, together with a mall bearing its name, Union Tower. Six businesses were in this location, addressed 110 Broad Street.

Now on my side I saw rock and trees behind a wire fence.  To the left was Bicycle Link, followed by a strip mall, and then Abbey Carpet and Tile. On my right I passed a rather cute looking old yellow house, containing William Carl Marshall floral designs; on a detached garage on the other side a old sign read “Antiques” and a newer one “Woodworking”. (On the walk just cited, there was “for sale” sign at this home.)

My course continued uphill. To the left I observed the Ladevana Salon. I came to an intersection with Common Street on the right and Vine Street on the left; both of these were residential in character.

Passing Fanueil Insurance Agency on the right, I saw houses across the street. On my side I noted a home at 257 and, following at 267, Leslie’s Hair Styling for Men.

Reaching a relative crest, I found on my right a gray home with red trim, past which was a brown shingle two-family. Further on that side came the Family Vision Center, in a stone building also containing La Beaute Hair Designers.

Passing an intersection without a street sign (it was Hunt Street), but designated as James J. Corrodan Square, I went by on the right another Weymouth Savings Bank office, in a one-story brick building. On the other side was a Kentucky Fried Chicken, with a drive-through.

Kensington Road was further on the left. On my side was encountered the Court Yard Apartments, a three-story gray brick edifice.

 I saw on the right a cemetery. On the left was Fox Plaza, with a Blockbuster Video.  Looking at the cemetery again, I saw a sign “Restricted Grounds” and another one telling me that it was the Village Cemetery. This fairly old graveyard  (“All Faiths Welcome”) was well maintained.

I saw more commercial properties ahead. On the right, at 245, I passed a two-story home with a porch; this was opposite King Avenue. Further on that side was Tuxedo Time. Across the street, just past a house, I noticed a large out of business gas station.

I went by South Shore Foreign Auto on the right. Just past this came Meineke Discount Mufflers. On the other side was General Auto Supply and, further on, Caswell’s Seafood, a small, diner-like establishment. (On the 2002 walk, I noticed that Caswell’s also offers hot dogs, steak-and-cheese subs and salads.)

Bernie and Phyl’s Discount Furniture was passed on the right. On the other side I noticed Monahan’s Marine; this offered boat docking. The sun was beginning to appear now.

On my right I went by a Burger King, beginning to feel quite bored with continuing views of nondescript commercial properties. Further along I observed Del Greco’s Jewelry, in a building also containing the office of a dentist, Richard McKenna. Across, I viewed Laura’s Gift and Garden Center, followed by Shade City, a dealer in the home furnishing of that name, not sunglasses.

An Einstein Brothers Bagel shop on my side aroused some interest, as I had always meant to try out this chain (I since have; they are all right). But it was too early: I have a policy of no refreshment stops until at least two hours from the start of a walk.  Also on that side was a Friendly’s.

I observed on the left Master Glass, with Eastern Environmental Systems right after. Now I could detect the junction of Route 53 and Route 18 ahead. Across the street was the Shanalin Pub. On my side I passed a building with a Tedeschi Food Shop and Hunter’s Trading Post, Inc.

Further on my side came Java Junction. Behind it was the 435 Washington Building, with a hair salon and other businesses. On the same side I observed Five Star Pizza and More. On the near corner of Federal Street, I passed Kerr One Hour Finishing (who seemed to have left “photo” out of their name).

Across, at 440, was a brick office building housing, among others, Ferry Chiropractic. Also on that side was a restaurant called Chet’s. On my side I noticed Then and Now Automotive; attached to this was a two-story building that appeared to contain apartments. Further along came a Midas shop.

I went by the Russo Tux Shop on my right. Further along was the Capeway Building, a three-story structure with Michael’s Wine and Spirits Company on the first floor; the top two stories appeared to be residential. Also on the right was a Getty station.

Now I reached the junction; this was my intended starting point. Years ago, I had continued due south with Route 18 (Main Street), continuing to Route 123 before turning east to Brockton. I crossed the street to go southeast with Route 53 (Washington Street). On the other side was something called Alternative Route, also identified as “The Sports Resort”.  Strangely, there seemed to be no sign for Route 53.

Beginning unwalked territory, I saw on the right (eastern) side of Washington a dealer in Pontiacs and trucks, Richy Smith. Also on that side was Compu-Tone, offering auto tune-ups “while U wait” and a BankBoston (now Fleet).

I went under two power lines (these arise at the power plant at the mouth of the Weymouth Fore River in North Weymouth).  The paths of these bearers of electricity have become ecological niches in built up areas, and to my left one could almost call the view “scenic”. Trees followed the course of the wires on both sides. Following this was some wetlands on the left side of the road. (Here in May 2002 I noticed the entrance to Avalon Ledges, an “apartment community” uphill back from the road, an example of building since 1997.)

On the right I saw a mini-mall with Highroad Adventure Sports and Petco Pet Supplies. Further along that side was an Auto Palace. On the left side I passed Union Brewhouse, offering pizza till midnight. Its claim of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” was insufficient to inspire a beer visit on my part.

I continued to go uphill. At, I think, 560 on the left was a small house. Also on that side were the Spanish Trace Apartments, a four-story building. (In 2002, I saw that there was another twin building behind the one near the street.) On the other side I observed Washington Place, a mall with Honey Baked Ham and other establishments.

Passing a B. J.’s Wholesale Club on my left, I saw a sign for four businesses down a road; these were a Caldor, a Staples, Leslie’s Pool Supplies, and a (24-hour) CVS. (This in fact was the Caldor Plaza.) It was beginning to feel humid, and I supposed that (as came to pass) it was going to become quite unpleasant.

To the right I saw Ginger House, featuring “Innovative Chinese Cuisine,” in a large building meant to be Oriental-looking.  On my side was Washington Street Motors; they were having an “Expansion Sale”. Further on the left I saw Preferred Motors (a used car dealter).

On the other side, I passed Boston Motel. This was for sale, on a 3.3 acre business-zoned lot. A sign offered “Efficiency Apartments”.  With it was Lambiase’s Restaurant and Ye Olde Boston Tap.

I went by West Lake Drive on the left. Exchanging greetings with a woman, I then saw on that side a small trailer park, at Cynthia Circle. This was called Nob Hill Estates. This rather highfalutin name suggests pretensions that were also instanced by their self-designation as a “Retirement Age Manufactured Home Community”. A sign warned that the police would be called if unauthorized visitors were found.

Seeing a sign for Nob Hill Street on the other side, I supposed I had collected a new place name. USGS does not list such a designation (it has one in Holliston and one in Natick), but two instances of signage will suffice for me to add one to my database.

On my left I could see the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery; its grounds looked quite attractive. (The marking of this on the USGS map seems to me misleading; the Arrow atlas shows it better.) On the other side, seeing another trailer, I thought there was another trailer park; but a sign suggested that it was rather the location of Lambert’s Flower Garden. (Actually, I was right; I saw on May 2002 that there are indeed trailers here, but I could not detect a name; perhaps they are also part of Nob Hill.)

Further on the right was Mackean Rugs – Tile – Linoleum; then came Commonwealth Plumbing, in a one-story brick building. Then there were small homes on both sides of the street, with the cemetery behind on the left.

At 720, on the left, I observed Sagamore Plumbing. The cemetery entrance, marked by stone columns, was beyond this. There was also a stone building here. An inscription giving the founding date was quite worn out but perhaps read “1888”.

On the right was a sign designating the location of Thomas B. Sheehan Memorial [Square].  On the left I went by “Commercial Corporation Plumbing and Heating”  . Washington Street was still upward here, with a relatively gentle slope.

I saw a gray building at 752, looking residential in character, but offering commercial space for rent. On the other side, at Winter Street, was a memorial sign for John F. Peckham [Square], honoring a veteran killed in the Korean War in 1950.

I reached another crest, seeing the road go down and come back and turn left ahead. On the left I noticed a building housing Spataro Plumbing and Heating (surely I was in the heart of the Weymouth plumbing district!) and the Computer Clinic. Further on that side was a Papa Gino’s.

To the right I viewed a vacant corner lot.  A sign informed me that this was site of the first Weymouth Town House, located in the geographic center of this municipality, converted in 1852 into a schoolhouse. (In addition, I learned in 2002, seeing another marker, this spot marks the a battle in King Philip’s War in April 1676, the settlers defeating the closest advance of the natives against Boston, in what proved the last such attack on Weymouth.)

I now crossed Middle Street. (Almost two years later, on July 24, 1999, doing the walk South from East Weymouth, I crossed this intersection following Middle Street, apparently not remembering this prior occasion. On a regional walk on May 4, 2002, a huge Super Stop and Shop was in construction on this corner.)  Somewhere after this the Arrow atlas shows Washington Street crossing the Mill River; the Universal atlas has what looks like a pond, with the river flowing into it, at this point. If so, I did not notice it; and the USGS map seems to show it ending in a filtration plant just south of here. Be that as it may, I have collected it on another walk.

On the left I noticed a Sunoco. On the other side came a shopping plaza, with a Stop and Shop and a small drive-thru Dunkin Donuts (the second of these I had seen that day). Then I saw another plaza to my left; this had a Shaw’s, a Walgreen’s Pharmacy, and a BankBoston (now Fleet) ATM.

On the right, I passed a Nynex (now Verizon) crew, exchanging greetings with a detail police offer. On my side of the street was seen the Royal Shops, a kind of mall in which there were Royal Discount Books, an Egghead store (these no longer exist, except on the Internet), a Boston Market, and other businesses. (On the walk just cited, I observed a “space for lease” sign here, discovering that Royal Shops is another part of the F. X. Messina Enterprises empire, well known to me from my Braintree days.)

I went by Waltham Chemical (presently Waltham Services) to my right, learning that they have been doing pest and termite control since 1893.  On that side also was, at 839, the Ahlstedt home, a gray two-story building with a green porch. Next, at 841, was the Pattison residence, a two-story light green house. Further along here a sign advertised 40,000 square feet for sale, in two lots.

I reached a hilltop; down ahead of me was a view of the road with trees on both sides. On the left side of the street I passed a mini-mall with Aquaknot Pools and other businesses. On the other side I saw Realistic Renovations, offering “decks for less”. Then I noticed Larry’s Glass. (Here, in 2002, was a sign designating this as Thorps Hill, a summit not recognized by GNIS.)

On the left, I saw building housing Wu Auto Repair and South Shore Auto Service. I noted Stillman Street on that side. Past it was a professional office building. On the right I noticed Lane Avenue. (This intersection, I learned in 2002, is Firefighter Willard M. Frank Corner.)

At 895 was Weymouth Apartment Rentals.  On my side I saw A-1 Rental, dealing in tools, in a brown building. This was immediately followed, at 900, by Coin-Op, a laundromat. (I saw also a sign for “Massage Therapy” on the later walk just mentioned.) Also here was Shear Magic by Jodi, a hair salon in a brick building set back from the street.

I continued downhill, seeing a few homes mixed in with the mostly commercial properties that line Route 53, a reflection of its being (before the Route 3 expressway was built) the main road to Cape Cod, as attested by some presumably older business names. On the left I noted Barleyhopper’s Restaurant and Pub, with a large parking lot to the right adjacent to Whitmans Pond. This establishment was advertised as being for sale. I could now view the pond, which the road crosses here.

After two homes on my right, I observed a pumping station (shown on the USGS map). A sign indicated that the Weymouth water supply from this source was being chlorinated. Other notices read “Please Do Not Feed the Waterfowl” and “No Fishing”. Still another noted “Pond Cleanup Day August 23”.

Past the pond on the left was a rambling yellow two and half story house, 948 Washington Street, with a barn and other features. To the right, bordering on the water, was That’s Italian Too. (I have seen other establishments of that name and, presumably, ownership.)

I saw houses now along my side of the highway. On my right I went by Hajjar’s Lebanese-American Restaurant, supplying breakfast, lunch and dinner, but apparently only breakfast on the weekends. (On that 2002 walk, I observed the name as Hajjar’s Bar and Grille; it advertised Keno and the presence of an ATM, as well as “Wednesday Nite Pizza 1.00”.) To the left, at 988, were the Capeway Condominiums

Now there were some houses on the right. On that side I observed Bay State Chiropractic. On the left was Ciarlone Brothers, Inc., dealers in kitchens and baths, at Island View Road. (USGS shows a small, undesignated island in the pond here.) Across from this was Lakeview Road.

I proceed uphill now, curving to the right. There were mixed residential and commercial properties, with houses then becoming more numerous. On the left I saw Benson Trees, a landscaping firm. Further on that side was Just for You, servicing hair and nails.

Reaching another relative crest at 1044 Washington, I saw the road with streetlights along it ahead. I thought I could detect Lovell’s Corner, my turning point, which proved to be only half correct. On the opposite side, at 1047, I passed Metropolitan  Elevator.

On the left I noted Westminster Road. Past this on the other side was a Taylor Rental Center. On my side, at 1066, was Middle Earth South, advertising tarot readings and “gewgaws”.

A truck marked Atlantic Ice truck came out of a driveway on my side and went north, and I observed Atlantic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. To its right was The Water Store, providing “fill you own” service. I was tempted by a soda machine there, but decided I should make a comfort stop before consuming any fluids. A Getty station visible ahead on the right might meet that need, I thought.

I saw Coastal Art Glass, at 1082, to my left. At 1090 was an older yellow one and a half story home, with gray trim, and a barn turned garage. Further on that side came That Bloomin Place, offering plants, flowers and garden supplies; this was in a rather large building, number 1110. They were offering a special: buy two shrubs, get one free.

On the right, at 1129, was a commercial building, with dental offices. On my side I observed St. Albert the Great (“No Mass on Tuesday”), a modern, unattractive-looking, church. Behind this was a hill covered with trees. (This is shown on the USGS map without a name; behind it is a small swamp.)

I passed Hibernia Savings Bank on the left, and saw across a building containing the Getty I had seen and A&A Auto Radiator. There proved to be no rest rooms. As I crossed Mutton Lane, a sign indicated that I was indeed at Lovell’s Corner. (USGS, which does not like apostrophes, calls this Lovell Corners.)

As I was now learning, the Corner or Corners has evidently become a locality name extending rather beyond the eponymous intersection. I still had a short way to go before I was to turn east. Across Mutton, on my side, I saw Schrauty’s Restaurant, with a sign “Opening Soon – Renovating”. (Mutton leads the other way to Pleasant Street, the intersection being George F. Brady Square, the sign for which is in a street island maintained, at least in 2002, by the Weymouth Lions Club.)

On the right I saw a Marylou’s; this chain, fairly extensive on the South Shore, offers Winslow’s coffee in numerous flavor varieties and is a not bad place to stop for refreshment. Also on that side were Factory Collision and Carroll Painting Inc. On my side I observed European Hair Design.

I went by an old white home on the right; a sign offered 22,000 acres of land for sale, zoned as commercial  - more indication of the change from residential that has evidently being going on for decades in the stretch of Weymouth. On the left, at 1174, was a two-story green multi-family house. Now I could the streetlights at Pleasant Street ahead.

I saw a cape style house at 1184 on my side the road. Past this was the Weymouth Dog Shop and Pet Supply. The sun was out now, and I was sweating.

Preparing for my turn to the east, I cross Washington at BPOE Lodge 2332. Across the street I saw Turning Heads Hair Salon; it appeared to be a home-operated business. Further on that side was a two-family home and later a small plaza containing five businesses.

At Pleasant Street (whether this is the actual “corner” of Lovell or whether Mutton Lane is I don’t know; some maps put the name right between) on the right was, at 1215, a nice looking older white home, with gray shutters; it appeared to be a two-family, perhaps by conversion. I now went right on Pleasant, beginning the planned eastward loop.

Ahead of me was repeat territory. I had, on a walk so long ago that I cannot remember it (though I have vague feeling that it might have been the one on which I collected Rockland and Norwell), I had gone north on 53 until this point. Following a somewhat provisional plan, I went east on that occasion here to get the East Weymouth bus at Jackson Square.

Across, on the corner, was a small mall. This had a Dairy Mart, but I was still averse to getting something to drink just yet for the reason indicated previously.  I crossed to the left hand (southern) side of Pleasant, seeing trees ahead. On my side, at 805, I passed the Thompson Company, Inc., in what seemed to be a factory building (though this business appears to be a distributor). Then the land on both sides of the street was undeveloped.

A sign read “Road Construction Ahead, 1/2 Mile”. Now to the left I saw what I first thought was an apartment building but proved to be Pleasant Street Office Park. This rather large building (at 775 Pleasant) seemed to have been constructed on filled in land.  Next I encountered a wooded hill on my left, with the other side still undeveloped land.

I made a quick trip upward to my left, seeking suitable cover for a comfort stop. To the left, I observed office buildings; directly ahead were piles of materials, construction equipment, with work in progress. It seemed that I could see a street, too; this presumably would have been Woodcock Road. Eventually I found a small secluded area near a little pond (not on any of my maps); attaining my purpose, I headed back to Pleasant Street, following a non-repetitive route that took me over a pile of tree stumps and wood and then some kind of road. I observed some piles and equipment and a small garage, but (fortunately, I thought no people seemed to be around.

Back on the street, again on the sidewalk on the left side, I continued east, now more than ready for a drink, but doubtful about when there would be a place to get one. I passed the southern end of Mutton Lane on the other side. Following the leftward curve of Pleasant, I went by an older house 739 with a pool behind it. Now I observed older residences both left and right.

At 713, was home of the Wood family. This had a chimney with a cross on it and contained Priscilla’s Beauty Shop. I came to Moore Road on the left. Across from this was Matheson Street, down which I could see an industrial park (not shown on my maps).

I saw at 693 a two and a half story white house with black shutters that struck me as being not bad looking. Further on that side came a KinderCare Learning Center, in a new building set back from the road.

It was quite sunny now, and I was very thirsty. I viewed houses on the right side of Pleasant, which curved left after the dead-end Weaver Road on the right. The left side continued to be undeveloped land.

Then on the left I noticed a villa-like stone building, behind a rock outcrop along the road. The nicely landscaped land proved to be grounds of the Woodbridge apartment complex. Seeing a sign for “Seoane Landscape Design Inc.”, I mentally congratulated them on their good work.

I passed a white home with a large barn in back of it at 647. I followed a right curve, now seeing Route 3 ahead. On the left came some houses; across, I saw a brick building that I first supposed to be a factory building but then determined it to be the Weymouth MRI Diagnostic Center. This was on the near corner of Libbey Industrial Parkway, on which more brick commercial properties were visible.

I was not aware of it at this time but the South from East Weymouth walk took me along that road, on which I got to see this large industrial park, too new for USGS and not marked on the 2001 Arrow Atlas, seeing new and planned construction then. From this intersection, that walk contained a repeat of this one until Pine Street.

There were now houses on both sides of Pleasant. On the left I saw, at 611, the way to what I took to be Weymouth Granite (operating since 1811), but “Weymouth granite” is actually a product and the firm here is Bates Brothers Seam Face Granite Company. There appeared to be other businesses at the same address.

I crossed to the right to take a look at the Olde Burial Ground, located up a hillside. This had the graves of the Pratt family, early settlers of Weymouth; some flags appeared to commemorate Civil War veterans.

The USGS map shows a Pratt School off Pleasant Street, apparently roughly opposite Weaver Road.  This is not on other maps, nor did I detect any sign of it. Perhaps Woodbridge was built on itss site?

Continuing now on the right (north) side of the street., I went by a sign “Slow Road Paving” and encountered undeveloped land. Now I crossed power lines, noting an access road on my side. I then went under two bridges carrying Route 3. I passed Pine Street on my left, forgetting that I was supposed to turn south here.

I only realized this mistake when writing up my notes. It turned out to be fortunate, because if I had done so I would not have found any place for a drink for much too long a period. I made up for this mistake by taking Pine on the future walk mentioned.

I followed a left curve. On the right I saw Tall Oaks Drive, noting a sign for “Arbor Hill” and some other names that I supposed might be real estate developments. Also on that side, at Rosemary Lane, was a sign “Caution – Raised Structures in Road”. I never found out what this ominous message meant. I did, however, notice new tar shoulders at Tall Oaks and Rosemary.

Arbor Hills is the name of a condo complex, I learned when Tall Oaks Drive made the press as on New Year’s Day, 2002 a water main broke, flooding homes and creating a sinkhole, shown in a picture in the Boston Herald with a trapped Weymouth Fire Department Ladder 5.  To get the truck out of the sinkhole required workers with jackhammers. 

Ahead I saw the curving course of Pleasant and, checking my map, what I rightly supposed must be Elm Street. Since I was going to turn left (evidently that the planned course went down Elm), I now crossed to that side at 537, an attractive older gray home, having one and half stories and a porch. Flowers were planted, and there was a detached garage.

Across at 524 was an older two-story white house, with a detached ex-barn. It had three chimney tops. On the left, at 509, I noticed a white residence with black shutters and a porch. On the right I passed MacDougall Court.

Seeing some commercial properties ahead at the next intersection, I fondly hoped I would be able to get something to drink. Passing Burkhall Street on the right, I now noticed, at what was indeed Elm Street, a Budweiser sign, confirming my hope. The established proved to be the Pleasant Street General Store. Entering, I saw videos, beer, lottery tickets and other items. I purchased a coffee milk and went back outside to drink it.

I took with me a flyer from the store, as a souvenir and to enable me to give a plug here for this establishment, which certainly seemed to be doing a good business and for whose existence my thirst had made me so grateful.  Even though the information possibly is somewhat dated, I am accordingly pleased to inform Internet readers that this market (located at 451 Pleasant) offers “a full service deli” (including subs, pizza, salads, calzones, breakfast, and deli platters). You can phone or fax your order in ahead of time at 781-335-2026. They will even make items not listed on their menu; and, if you buy five sandwiches or subs, you get a sixth (their choice, however) free. Open seven days, they take credit cards but not checks.

Coming out, I observed that this corner was Fred Wells Pullen Square. Across were the Pleasantwood Apartments, at 445 Pleasant. Looking for a place to sit, I went down Elm Street (seeing on the right side an old brown one a half story home, numbered 11). Finding a barrel, I squatted down beside it.

I have noticed that physical qualities, especially quick changes in body temperature, frequently produce the strongest memories. I can still almost feet the sensations of the cold milk entering my stomach and the feeling of refreshment, along with the cool breeze (which, however, did not do that much to make up for the hot sun), as I drank my milk. A man drove up in a Weymouth Fire Department car, glanced at me and went in to store, coming back, with coffee before I got up. There was a pay phone here, and I called to see if there were any messages left by Cathy, who was out of town; but there weren’t.

I now continued south on Elm, a residential street lined with trees. I went over a small stream, which my map informed me was the Old Swamp River. (This arises in Hingham, north of the Pine Hills and flows into Whitmans Pond.) I then discerned a cemetery on the other side of the street.

To my left, at the corner of Pine Street, at 70, was a house with a pool behind it. This intersection proved to be the end of Elm, and I continued straight with Pine, observing houses on the left and cemetery (learning from my map that it was Mount Hope) on the right. As I passed a ranch home at 198 Pine, I observed the end of the cemetery, with an entrance, on the opposite side.

Just past 216, I came to a hilltop, as Pine met Oak Street on the left. Continuing on Pine I went further upwards, seeing nice looking homes on both sides. At 242 came a sharp left curve. I passed Longmeadow Road, a cul-de-sac, on the right. Continuing past houses left and right, I saw an intersection ahead. I had now been walking two hours.

Arriving at Ralph Talbot Street, I found on the right the South Weymouth Church of the Nazarene, a fairly large brick building of the “no-architecture” variety. (What constitutes the boundary of South Weymouth is perhaps an open question, but perhaps one could say that nowadays it includes the area south of Route 3.)  As I continued with Pine, I had a dim feeling that I walked Ralph Talbot before, but no actual memory. (If so, my course immediately following could have been a repeat, but I don’t think so.)

I went by Cherry Lane, a dead end street, on my left. On the side I observed at 356 an old white two and a half story home. On the right, at 371, a white one and a half story house, with gray shutters and a small detached garage was for sale. On my side I saw a gray home, marked as circa 1802, with an attached two-door garage. Numbered 390, this was on the corner of Hickory Lane, which contained homes that I supposed were of 1960s vintage.

Feeling a brief cool breeze, I continued on Pine Street. Reaching a crest at 411, I curve right and then left. I exchanged hellos with a man mowing beside the road, presumably the owner of 422, a small rather attractive ranch home, with a barn and a garage.

On the left, I noted an old stone wall at 430, a white Cape home with gray shutters. Continuing on the sidewalk on the left side of Pine, I went slowly downhill. I passed a gray one story home, numbered 450, with white trim and a detached garage, that was for sale.

Ellis Circle appeared on the right. Ahead of me now was a downhill view of Pine; in the background I could see trees and a water tower on a hill, as I went by 466, an attractive older gray house. I saw two other older gray homes on the right.

I passed Merrymount Road on my left; then the other end of Ellis (shown is disconnected form by MapQuest) was seen. Reaching another crest, I went down and sharply to the left. At 482 I saw a pretty older yellow home with green shutters and a detached 2-door garage; across the street was a home with an attached barn turned garage.

The view ahead continued to be tree-lined and was now upward. On the right Ketcham Lane was passed. The homes on both sides of Pine became newer-looking.

To the left I went by Old Pine Street, which was blocked by a concrete barrier (making it a dead end road off Leahaven Road). A sign read “Mandatory Water Ban”.  I continued uphill, passing a street whose sign was down, seeing on the map that it was Tilden Road.

I was surprised to see woods appear; on the left these were behind an old stone wall. Seeing an old home on my right numbered 80, I realized that I must have crossed the border into Hingham. Checking the map, I discovered I was now on Abington Street.

Settled around 1633 and incorporated in 1635, Hingham is a small (population around 5500) town, mainly conservative and Republican, bearing many traces of its colonial past. It was named after Hingham, England, from which some of its first residents came.  Its most recent claim to fame has been its opposition (fortunately, from the walker’s point of view, unsuccessful) to prevent the expansion of the MBTA commuter rail along the Old Colony line. 

The USGS map notes Pine Hills on the eastern (left) of Abington Street beginning here. As GNIS indicates (though listing Pine Hills as a “summit”), it is perhaps better described as a topographic locality with parts in Weymouth and in Hingham. The hills I encountered along Pine Street in Weymouth were thus also part of this locality.

On the right I noticed that the woods for sale by a modern day Abigail Adams, an agent of Century 21. I also saw orange flags, harbingers of development, to my left. Now on that side I saw homes, with woods continuing on the other side.

The road curved left and ahead I saw it, looking narrower, rolling uphill and lined with trees. After 59 Abington, there were woods on both side and then the right became wetlands. It was very attractive, and I thought this section might prove to be the scenic highlight of the walk. (Judged purely by scenery it perhaps was – a reflection of course on the built up nature of eastern Massachusetts, but it turned out a more interesting view beat this one out for this “award”.)

To the right a “Thickly Settled” sign dispelled any illusions of continuing natural vistas. I saw houses in the woods now on that side. On the other side I passed a brick home and then saw some woods (with a trail observable) marked “No Trespassing”

I noticed a gray one story house to the right; there were houses behind it. An octagonal sing in the driveway read “Whoa”. Further along that side I observed the gravel and dirt entrance to Barcellos and Kane; a nursery and other buildings were visible. (I had forgotten meeting one of their employees on a previous walk, South From Wellesley Hills.)

At 31 on the left was a home with the first story brick and the second made of shingles. A similar but larger and better looking home was at 27; this had a basement garage. Next there were woodlands again on both sides of Abington.

The sun had come out again and was bearing down on me through the treetops. I observed a green cape at 19. Next came houses on the left and woods on the right. I passed Dennis Road on my left; this dirt dead end road had one house on it.

A one and half story home was for sale at 15. On this side was Hickey Road, with a few homes. The right side was still wooded. I continued upward, curving to the right. To the left, at 5, I saw an older, nice looking brown cape.

I reached a hilltop. On my left side I observed a small rock and trees, among which were pink flags. At 3 was a large new colonial.  I could see the intersection ahead, with the road curving to the right. The near left hand corner lot was filled with tree trunks and woodpiles.  I now (as a sign on the right told me) crossed in Rockland.

Rockland was described in a 1998 Boston Globe real estate profile as “a growing town of work-class people”.  Indeed, the Rockland Chamber of Commerce (perhaps dubiously) describes it as the “fastest growing town on the South Shore”. The article quoted real estate agents as saying that Rockland is a “family town, where excellent school program serve the needs of working parents (Elizabeth Wagner, Howard Back Realty Company) and “appealing because it’s a centralized town with a good sample of old and new houses” (Thomas Hastings, Hastings Company).

Incorporated in 1874, Rockland is twenty miles from Boston.  It has an area of 10.1 square miles and a population about 16,500.  Another Massachusetts town where the shoe industry was once predominant, it recently has been attracting small and large business as well as real estate subdividers. Like Weymouth and Abington, Rockland will be greatly impacted by plans for redeveloping the site of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station, nearly half of that land being in this town.

To my left I noticed a sign for the Overhead Door Company of Boston (in business since 1921) and a two-story commercial building marked at 290 Weymouth Street. That address should have made me realize that I had departed from my game plan. However, in checking the map, I somehow came to the false conclusion that I was on the VFW Drive, from which I was to take Pleasant Street. On the right saw a fence with a “United States Property” sign. (This indication of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station was another unrecognized hint that I was off course.)

Based on my incorrect understanding of my location, I went right onto Sharp Street. I was on an asphalt sidewalk on the left hand side of the road, on both sides of which were woods. I followed a left curve and then saw a sign indicating the Weymouth and Hingham border. This made me look at my map again, and I grasped my error. Accordingly, I turned back to the intersection.

The sun was quite hot now. Looking around, I realized that Overhead Door was down a driveway and not, as I had supposed, in the building at 290 Weymouth (in which I saw signs for Office Pro and other enterprises). Now headed south on Weymouth, I noted to the left Quality Auto Corporation.

Weymouth Street curved right; on the left hand side there were many businesses. On the right I noticed Goodrich Engineering, specialists in industrial ovens and metal fabrication. I glanced at the map again to reassure myself that I would get back to where I had planned to be.

A sign informed me that Rockland is a “Crime Watch Community”.  On the right was a sign for Benedict Construction Company, general contractors. This appeared to be a home-operated business.

I was very thirsty again. I passed Airport Park Drive, the entrance to Air Station Industrial Park, on the right.  (The USGS map shows various large buildings in this area, along with some unimproved roads off Weymouth that perhaps don’t exist now.) On the corner here was Rockland-Weymouth Heating.

Now on my right I saw a sign for Bartlett’s Bakery. The advertised “hot coffee” had no appeal for me, nor did I have an appetite. In addition, I was behind time and therefore no longer “permitted” to make a food stop. But I had to get a drink and I had no idea when the next opportunity would occur. So I went in and ordered not only an iced coffee but also a raspberry square as well. The place offered a large pastry selection, as well as food in the form of salads and sandwiches.

I sat down and consumed my “lunch” at one of two tables outside, enjoying the cool breeze even thought it kept threatening to blow away my napkins. The pastry was quite good, the coffee only so-so. At the other table were two women and a man. The latter, seeing my Providence T-shirt, told me that he was from Pawtucket and wanted to know if I was a fellow Rhode Islander. I explained that I was not, having purchased the shirt (and one for Cathy) on a walk I had made. When I told him about my endeavors, telling him about this day’s course, he was quite impressed to hear that I expected to get all the way to Kingston. (But I wound up quite short of the end of Route 53 and did not get to that town. Later, while waiting for the bus back, I would remember this conversation and feel guilty about having “boasted” too much.)

Finishing up, I noticed just past Bartlett’s, and evidently sharing the same number, 222 Weymouth, the machine shop of Banks and White. On the road again, I passed by this to my right, now on that side of the street. Across were various large buildings with commercial tenants such as Bay Copy. (These are presumably too new for the 1984 USGS map.)

At 160 on the right a sign read “Level 1”. (From a very odd web page, I find this to be a power irrigation device used during ureteroscopy.) Here were Smith Industries and Sims Medical Systems. On the other side I noticed Reservoir Park Street (which is also not on USGS, though Arrow and Universal show it). Somewhat nervously looking again at my map, I replotted my course.

The area continued to be industrial. To the left I saw a story building with Commonwealth Plumbing and other firms. On the right I went by, at 100, a large office or factory building, housing various businesses and containing space for lease. A sign here read “Dangerous Curve Ahead”.

Next on the left I saw two houses, one (a red cape) for sale. On the right, at 84, was a metal building with four businesses in it. Then on the left I saw woods. On my side was a brown Cape home with white trim, the site of the mason and contracting business of Fred Little.

I could now see VFW Drive ahead. I remembered being here on previous walks. (I have ended and begun walks from the Plymouth and Brockton bus at the Park and Ride near Route 3 in Rockland.) Approaching the intersection, I started to turn right on Forest Street, then realized that this was an error.

Passing a street island that I recognized as having seen before (I noticed two flower pots courtesy of Read Sand and Gravel). I cut through a little gated-off street to go west on VFW Drive. Somehow, however, by a process that is quite hard to figure out now looking at the map, I had gone went the wrong way, not going straight across from Forest to VFW, but rather south on Hingham Street.

On July 27, 2002 I made a regional walk from Abington to Hingham (ending at Star’s Restaurant), mainly for the purpose of taking a picture for this narrative.  I passed by this somewhat mysterious intersection, realizing finally that my wrong turn had taken me onto VFW Cutoff, instead of VFW Drive. The street that I took from the Cutoff is Stoddard Street, mysteriously unrecorded on by Arrow or Universal and not found by map search engines; it begins just past 678 Hingham Street. So even if I had seen a sign for it, I would only have become more confused.

I passed an attractive looking cape house, with an addition on it, on my right. A man in a car stopped to ask if I needed help. I explained that I was simply checking the time, not my location. This was not untrue, as, even though I was in fact off course, I didn’t realize it yet.

I was in fact starting to wonder if I would indeed get as far south as I had planned. The only transportation available in those parts was the local Plymouth and Brockton bus, no longer running, which left Plymouth at, as I recollect, 3:00 PM. It was thus necessary to be back on Route 53 at that time and I was already becoming – justifiably – concerned about whether I would do that.

There were houses on both sides of the street – which, some instinct once again inducing me to consult my map – I now realized was Hingham Street, not VFW Drive. How could that be, I wondered? But (influenced by the time factor) I decided I would have to continue on it, even though this course (I thought) was a repeating a previous walk.

Still seeing houses left and right, I curved right and then left. (The USGS map shows swamps behind the homes on both sides of the street here. In the one to the east the Ben Mann Brook flows south, eventually reaching Cushing Brook.)  At 559 on the left (now my side) was an older gray cape, with red trim and a barn turned garage. It was now 11:15 AM and I was at the three-hour mark. I noticed a dead bird, perhaps a blue jay.

I passed some two-family homes. At 467 was the Elijah Howe house, built in 1837. This good looking two-story residence had a porch and there was barn behind it.

A couple stopped in a car and asked about “AAA,” but I could not help them. (Years later I would learning that there was an AAA Travel Center on the other end of Hingham Street.) I noticed a homemade sign “Speed Limit 35 Children Playing” at 431, a two-story white home with an attached garage. (The sign, facing both ways, was still there in 2002.) At 425 was a red cape dated “circa 1750”.

I passed a dead skunk, the corpse actually in pieces. I observed at 407 a gray two-story home with pink shutters; its lawn was nicely landscaped. Across, at 406 was an older white cape. Also on the right was an electric substation in the woods.

On the left was passed Cullinan Farm, now a development of ugly cluster homes on Hobart Lane, at which was a sign “Private Property No Trespassing”. Next came a short stretch of woods, followed by homes, on that side, while the land on the right was undeveloped.

At 400 was a commercial building, identified as Briggs Associates, which was for sale. I noticed that there were no cars in its parking lot. (I found a reference to Briggs on the Internet in an obituary notice and apparently in an OSHA case, but I could trace the business. In 2002, I saw “NCPS” on this building, which stands in presumably abbreviated or superseded form for National Check Protection and Data Verification Services.) On my side I passed some more wooded land; a dirt road led to what looked it might be either a construction site or a sand lot.

Next to the right in this rather mixed commercial, residential and undeveloped section (clearly once farmland) was seen DM Products. (One would never guess from its dull building what a spectacular web site DM has, their business including graphic design and e-commerce development. However, I find the street address given on their site – 308 – less likely than the one I observed in 2002 – namely, 368.) There were still woods on the left.

Just past DM was the dully named Dry Ice Corporation. Next on that side I saw two-story brick (red speckled with white) duplex “ranch” residences on either side of Cobb Drive, down which were more of the same and whose sidewalks were under construction. This development was known as Parkview Village. (It is managed, I noted in 2002, by the C. Carter Realty Trust.)

I followed a left curve of Hingham. On the right I saw two older homes. Then on the left, at 253, was a cape home marked by the Rockland Historical Commission as dating to 1839.  Right after this was a house at which a washing machine was for sale at “$45 or best offer”.

Further on the left, at 221, was an older home with a barn in back. Opposite, numbered 220, was a white two-story house with black shutters that also had a barn behind it. Now I passed an old stone wall, along a former farm field, on my left. At 193 was a newer two-family two-story cape.

I felt real doubt as to my getting all the way Kingston. At 163 I observed an attractive yellow house; work was being done on the lawn in front. Further on that side, at 139, was Stella’s Beauty Salon, operated in a tiny addition to a small residence.

Now came a brief stretch of woods on the right, and I noticed a sign “Hartstuff Park Fox Run Conservation Area”.  (I observed at the park entrance in 2002 a sign “Under the Jurisdiction of the Rockland Youth Commission”; two male youths were on that day taking lawn mowers into the area.) There was a road that, I supposed, might lead to a way through to the Pleasant Street. This is not necessarily an idea that the appearance of the park on the map would suggest, but, always being eager to avoid repeating other walks, I decided to try it.

Passing a sign to my right containing various prohibitions made in the name of the Rockland School Committee and a baseball field to my left, I soon saw the park itself ahead. There were picnic facilities, and a family was getting out of a car.  There was a trail leading further on, but in the wrong direction. Accordingly I walked around the edge of the ballpark, curving around on the road. Veering off into to the woods to my right for a comport stop, I went through what was marked as a “Wildflower Area” and found the road again.

This ended at a gate on a street. Checking the map, I figured out that this must be Hartstuff Street and turned left onto it.  Immediately to the right, was a dirt driveway, designated by the property owner as “M. A. D. Dancers Drive”. Down this was a rather pretty looking cape home, with an addition housing the Marie Little Austin School of the Dance, “Home of the M. A. D. Dancers”. I found it a little “maddening” not to be able to deduce what those initials stood for.

Looking ahead, I saw what had to be Webster Street and noticed two kids rollerblading. So my diversion had not taken me as far I had thought. Checking the map, I now realized that I had not done Hingham Street after all. On a long ago and basically forgotten walk (I think it might have been the one on which I collected Hanson), I had missed the intended turn onto Hingham in the rain and wound up taking Pleasant Street south. (However, I would return to Hingham Street, again on account of navigational error, in a 1999 walk South from East Weymouth.)

I followed the residential course  (with a mix of newer and older homes) of Hartstuff Street to Webster. To the left I could see its intersection with East Water Street (Route 123). On the corner lot to my left was a gray two-story home dating to circa 1832.

I turned right (west) onto Webster, observing older homes on both sides. At 337, an older two-story white house with black shutters, I crossed from right to left.

To the left I passed Beal Street; the houses on it seemed to date to the early part of the twentieth century. (From the fact that Beal Cemetery is to the east of here between Webster and Beal I infer that this street commemorates an old family.) Ahead of me to the right I could discern a Chrysler-Plymouth dealer.

Evidently passing over Cushing Brook without noticing it, I came to Sunnybank Avenue. A sign told me that was I in Liberty Square. The auto firm on the other side of the road, I could see, was named Lannin Brothers, Inc.

On the left, at Liberty Street, was the Wright Building, a large three-story former factory, advertising space for offices, warehousing and light manufacturing. Among the tenants in the building was Paula’s Fitness Center. Looking down Liberty, I noticed Liberty Tavern, such establishments being of course a common accompaniment of mills.

To my left, at 195, I passed an older gray two-story colonial home with white trim that was for sale. Across the street was another Marylou’s; I went in and purchased a chocolate milk. Opening this with some difficulty inside, next to a suggestion box, I left the store and drank it in front. Thanks to the quick service and hot weather, this meant only a one-minute adjustment in my walking time. The pause gave me the opportunity to observe the correct name of the Wright building, which I had somehow mistaken as “Wharf” (surely an unlikely name in landlocked Rockland).

Crossing back to the left side of Webster, I noticed at 181 a pretty two-story white residence, with black shutters and a porch. Opposite, at 182, was a two-story two-family home with a barn. At 167 was a boarded up storefront in what now was a purely residential building.

I reached Everett Street and now realized that my plan had been to go south on Liberty Street. (So for the second time a mistake in direction error had allowed me a needed chance for a drink). Accordingly, I turned left onto Everett, a residential road, seeing East Water Street ahead of me.

At Stanton Street (which was unmarked) I went right. At its end I went south (left) onto Howard Street, seeing to the right a large factory building available for sale or lease. (This indirect course was based on an incorrect belief that East Water Street was Route 123, which would make it a repeat.) Howard, too, was residential.

I went by Church Street to the right. On the large corner lot was what looked like an old school, made of brown wood that had been rather recently painted. There being a playground in the back of it, I thought maybe it still was a school, but there was no sign indicating such status. (The Universal map, which does tend to be more out of date, shows the Lincoln School here, but Arrow does not indicate it.)

Now I crossed East Water Street, continuing south, noticing to the right still another factory building. At Custer Street, on my left, an ice cream truck was turning north onto Howard.  Just past 157 Howard, I encountered a railroad track, but this seemed to be abandoned, the tracks lying on the street but not visible otherwise that.  I passed Vernon Street on my left, at which intersection was a railroad crossing sign.

The tracks are shown on the USGS map (identified as “Bay Colony”) and on Universal (“Conrail”), but are not on Arrow’s map. Ronald Dale Karr’s The Rail Lines of Southern New England shows them to be on the former Hanover Branch of the Old Colony Railroad. This eight-mile operation ran from North Abington to Hanover, with five stops in between, including one (“Emerson”) in Rockland.  An enterprise of Hanover businessmen, this line began in 1867 and was sold to the Old Colony in 1887.  Passenger service ended in 1948. Karr notes that it “was operated for freight by the Bay Colony until around 1989, but it is no longer in service”. Unfortunately, his map does not locate the Emerson station nor is the name in GNIS. Presumably Emerson rates as an extinct place name, and I assume I “collected” it. (I saw a track still embedded in Liberty Street, just north of Market Street, on the 2002 walk cited, but the rails appeared to have been removed elsewhere.)

Howard displayed rather older homes. At 100 was a cute looking red one with a porch. At the corner of Crescent Street, number 88, was a three-family, at which children were playing in back, in the driveway and on an upstairs porch. I took a right onto Crescent.

I was still seeing older residences. There was a cool breeze now but I still felt hot in the sun.  To my left I saw either a street or a driveway. My map showed two side streets here, but I could discern their names. (This must have been either James Street or Charles Street.)

At Union Street, I turned left (south). I had been walking four hours now. Across, at 72 Union was an 1874 gray home, with white trim and a porch. To my left, at 71 was a quaint yellow two and half story home with red shutters, white trim and a porch, dating to 1846. Ahead I could see a shopping mall that I remembered from previous travels.

On my left at 65 was a pink two-story with white trim a porch, marked circa 1903.  At 61 was a white 1848 cape with black shutters. On the other side, at 58, I saw a very pretty two-story white home with black shutters; it had a kind of two-story porch.

To the left at 51 I noted a yellow cape, with a garage; it offered an apartment for rent. Further, at 31, was a very attractive yellow home that I would describe as Victorian in style. Right past it (I did not see a number), identified as circa 1874 by the Rockland Historical Commission, was a story house, also Victorian I would say, in a blue-gray shade.

I came to Market Street.  As I noticed while checking the map, this is both Route 123 and Route 139. Having done the former (as far west as Attleboro and to its eastern terminus in Scituate, on a walk beginning in Brockton and on to Scituate Harbor), I was now about to make a small repeat.

At the corner, I encountered the Tiffany Rest Home is what once must have been a farmhouse. On the right side was a Mobil station. Across was, as I now read the sign, the Rockland Plaza.

I went left (east) on Market Street. To the right I noticed  TKO Shea’s Sports Café (which, judging its location as shown by Yahoo, appears to have moved). The breeze was not much help in the hot sun.

I passed on the left, at 202, an old two-story somewhat faded brown shingle home. At 214 was a residential-looking (it if were a home, it would have been described as a ranch) medical office building.

Ending my small repetition of Route 123 (and pre-repeat of Route 139, at this point now anticipated in perhaps 2004), I went south on Concord Street, fighting traffic and cross a small street island containing flowers. To my left, at the corner, was a very large especially attractive Victorian style residence that was for sale. This had beautiful topiary shrubbery and sunflowers and was on a large grass lot, with a stone wall. (On taking the picture of it in 2002, I saw that its address is 233 Market Street. Now a multi-family home, it had additions not visible in the photo.)

To my right I observed a small building in which was located The Douglas Print (“50 Years in Randolph”), commercial printers. (Seen again almost exactly five year later, this business was apparently still going strong, with Superpages listings under die cutting, printing and stamping gold leaf.) Concord was, however, primarily residential in character.

Coming to the unmarked corner of Norman Street, at which was a home numbered 114, I saw that is was 12:30. There was a left curve ahead.

Now on the left, at 168, I went by the Twin Elms Farm, one of those establishments of that name now devoted to what might be called non-cultivation lines of business. This one offered Herefords, stone, mulch and loam; a summer clearance sale was in progress.  A man in car turning into the farm driveway here, asked “Help you? Have an appointment?”

Alas, the farm is now gone. In August 2002, I found it being replaced by the Harmon golf course (“accepting member applications”) and apparently some residential construction. The north end of the course ends just before 150 Concord.

On my left I passed a home built into the field and then passed a section of the field with horses in the background.  Then there homes on both sides of Concord, of which I had tree-lined view ahead of me.

At Heritage Road (a dead end street), on the right, were seen newer homes. At 308 Concord I saw home with a nice lawn.  This was followed by a brief section of woods. After four houses on each side of the street came wooded land left and right, then houses again.

To my right, at 407, I notice a home with a large flower patch. As before there was hot sun only some assuaged by a cool breeze. I could see a right curve up ahead.

Rockland Auto Parts, in an old residential building, was passed on the right. There were automobiles beside it, then a fence set back from the road, apparently concealing still more cars (a supposition verified on my subsequent walk here in 2002). On the left I passed Shaw Road.

I could now see a large building at the end of Concord Street ahead. To the right was observed Robinwood, a development of clumped contemporary colonial-type homes, on Brookline Way. On the left was Linwood Terrace.

To the right I observed a rather run-down building, with a parking lot. In the lot to the right were some boats. This, I saw, was The Decorating Center/Craigie Textiles Inc. (In 2002, boats and the building were still there, as well as Craigie sign, but it appeared, as Internet searches seem to indicate, that it is no longer in business.) I was now at Summer Street. Across was the building I had noticed earlier, containing Rod and Rink. I had seen a sign for this at the other end of Concord. (The Universal map identifies this as the South Shore Sports Center.)

Instead, in 2002 I saw a road leading to skating rink known as Rockland Arena. To the left was the entrance to the Rockland Wastewater Treatment Plant. I think I saw the latter in 1997 but failed to make a note of it. It apparently dates to at least 1993.

I went left (east) on Summer, heading for Hanover and for rejoining Route 53, which I supposed I would reach in two hours or so. Obviously, I was not going to be able to reach Kingston, but I thought I might reach some further progress on that highway in Pembroke.

I crossed to the right to be on a sidewalk. On that side was a series of cape-like two family homes, both sides of Summer being residential here. I went uphill, feeling oppressed by the heat.

Reaching a summit, I saw on the left, at 696, a rather old two-story gray shingle home, with red and white trim. Summer now made a right curve. On the right came the R. Stewart Esten Elementary School. Further on that side I came upon still another agricultural establishment, a rather large one, seeing a sign “Open Space Farm”, polled Herefords being offered.

On this side I passed an attractive white cape ay 760, which certainly did not look like a farmhouse. However, past this and a garage, came a home that did indeed rate as a farmhouse. I could see cows just visible in the shade of a tree in the middle of a field. Some were standing, some lying down. Altogether it made about as scenic view as one could expect in this densely built up region of Massachusetts, proving in fact to win my mental competition for the highlight of the walk.

My course went gradually downhill, curing to the right. The left side was undeveloped (presumably being overgrown farm land), while there smaller homes on the right. After 849 Summer both sides were vacant land. I was walking on a sand shoulder now, the sidewalk having given out; and I decided to cross to the left. The sun continued to be oppressive.

A gradual curve appeared ahead. I then crossed a small brook (shown without a name on the Arrow atlas; it ultimately drains to Forge Pond in Hanover).  Now a town line sign on the other side told me that I was entering Hanover.

On the left, at 900 and thus still in Rockland, on the other side, I observed the entrance to what was here identified as the Delport Open Space Farm. Two signs warned “No Trespassing” and two more “Beware of the Dog”.

The town of Hanover was founded in 1727 from the western part of Scituate and the eastern part of Abington. The reason for the formation of a new municipality was the then common one that it the inhabitants found the nearest church too far to reach.  Named in honor of the dynasty begin by George I, it was originally spelled, like the German city of that name, Hannover.

In their History of the Town of Hanover, published by the town in 1910, Jedediah Dwelley and John F. Simmons included descriptions of a variety of local industries, including such manufacturing goods as boxes and ploughs. Today, Hanover is predominantly residential. Perhaps its greatest claim to fame is the Hanover Mall, located in the northeastern corner of the town.

The locality here is West Hanover; Summer Street retained its name, with (as I would discover, though only after writing up my notes) new numbering. Both sides of the street continued undeveloped.  A sign counseled Hanover residents “Water Restrictions in Effect”.  Then on the left I saw the entrance to Fellowship Baptist Church, Randy Fearon pastor.

I went by a tiny patch of woods on the left. On the right I noticed a home, a blue cape with black shutter, at 118 and then another house in the woods. On my side, at 95, was another cape.

Across on the right was Sellon Place. (This may be a relatively new street, not being on my 1996 Universal Atlas). Both sides of Summer were residential now. Then on the left came Evergreen Lane, a dead-end street with homes.

I began a S-curve; an intersection was visible ahead. On my side, just past Evergreen, was a small former farm field – or, was it, as another glance suggested, actually cultivated? I am too much a city person to be able to tell.

Reaching the end of Summer, I now went south (right) on Circuit Street. My course plan was taking me further south, with the dual intentions of repeating as little of Route 53 as possible and of avoiding Route 139, which I will do later.  Across, I noted a baseball field.

I was now entering the locality of Fireworks, named after a no longer existing local industry. (A picture of the “plant of the National Fireworks Company, King Street,” appears in the town history cited above.) My course along Circuit was, I remembered a repeat of a walk made long before (on which, I think, I collected Hanover and Hanson).  Nothing I saw, however, provoked any memories of that occasion.

This was a residential area. I made a left curve. At 717, to my left, I saw large, very pretty two and a half story green home, with yellow trim, a stone foundation and a porch. I thought I could see my turn up ahead.

I crossed another stream, what I construe to have been Drinkwater River.  To left was a scenic view of  it running through the woods. For a brief stretch Circuit had vacant wooded land on both sides; then houses appeared left and right.

On my left I encountered a yellow colonial with white trim, dated circa 1800, once the home of Thomas Winslow, numbered 693.  On the right was undeveloped land that I suppose was once part of the Winslow farm.  Up ahead on that side I noticed a lot of cars.

I passed vacant land on the left now and came to power lines crossing Summer.  I then saw that the cars were parked at the Henry S. Newcomb Senior Center. This was in old building that still had a “Hanover Garage” sign on it. I had now completed five hours.

Reaching King Street, I went left (southeast) with Circuit, now in new territory, having gone straight onto King into Hanson years before. On the corner lot, at 615, was very old, nice looking yellow colonial with red trim.

I sometimes give directions to motorists and now did so twice in a row, first to a man who actually had a Universal atlas in his car and then for a woman who was looking for Broadway, a street later on my course.  At 593, to the left, I saw a ranch home with shrubs and a nice lawn with trees.

Further to the left I passed Mayflower Drive. Here was a school bus lot and a brick building housing the Joseph Ingle bus company and some other businesses.  Up ahead I could see Circuit going uphill and curving right, lined with trees and houses.

On my left at 593 was seen a white cape home with gray shutters, built by James Hatch in 1725. To the right was a view showing a water tower in the background. Along here were traces of former farm status.

Now, looking ahead, I detected a gradual upward course a left curve and a street on the right. That turned out to be School Street. Here there was a street island. One corner was marked at Kenneth Pratt Square, another as Thomas Robinson Square. I wondered why Hanover had decided to honor veterans with the same intersection, given that hours were available; years later, having seen other such examples, I would guess that maybe both persons lived in the same neighborhood.

[Showing the power of the Internet, my question was answered in June 2004 by Thomas Ingle, a Hanover firefighter whose great uncle was Kenneth Pratt. Confirming that both of these honored veterans lived in the neighborhood, he notes that the memorial for Pratt was originally at the intersection of Circuit Street and King Street, but when the street island there was removed the sign was transferred to its present location.

[Mr. Ingle is also the grandson of Joseph Ingle, founder of the bus company I had just passed! He reports that his grandfather "died during World War II on a ship off the North Carolina coast during a hurricane. His ship was caught in the storm and went down. He drowned. I am not sure if his body was ever recovered." The company, which I confess to never having heard of before or since, operates the Hanover school buses and is now run by the brother of Tom Ingle, who built the present office around 1960, previously using his home on King Street as headquarters.]

Following the curve of Circuit, I could see an intersection with my text turn ahead.  At 431 to my left was an attractive old home; I could not identify the style or even be sure of the color (perhaps tan). It had brown shutters and light brown trim; there was a detached two-door garage.

I reached Winter Street on the right and crossed to it, almost going down it until I realized that it was Myrtle Street that I was to take. Here, at 416, was the two-story, circa 1810 home of Captain Thomas Bates. Flowers and flags honored the designation of this intersection as Fred Yetson Square.

Now I came to Myrtle and went southeast with it, Circuit street making the last leg of the curve that presumably gives it its name by curving away northeast. In front of me was a long view of tree-lined residential properties. No doubt due to my allergies, I was sneezing and my head was aching.

I went by Indian Brook Lane on my left. This cul-de-sac with colonial homes was not on my map, though it appears on the Arrow and Universal atlases. On right I passed Tecumseh Drive.

On the left, at 72, I noted a rather nice looking two-story home. Old farm structures were behind it, and there was a dirt road to a post and gate. This was the Rugman Farm but the only thing I saw growing was weeds.

Further on that side, at 98, was an older house with a stairway leading to the second floor. There was a basement garage in the rear. Then the left side was undeveloped, with wetlands, while the right contained homes. At 168, houses began again on the left.

I now thought I saw another intersection far ahead. At 184 I encountered some new construction; a truck from Homer Fuel Company was parked in the lot. On the right was a baseball field, also the subject of construction activity. It appeared to be an undergoing an expansion, and its size struck me as impressive.

Now on my left were woods and wetland in which was a sign reading “Approved 7 Acres for Sale by Owner, $100,000”. I refused to make a note of the phone number given, lest someone read this account and decide to abet this despoliation of the wilderness! The Huns, the Vandals, and the Visigoths, I reflected, never did as much destruction as American real estate developers.

Beginning at 252, homes resumed on the left. On the other side I now saw basketball courts; then came a patch of woods in which were orange flags. Seeing a stop sign ahead, I checked my map and realized that I still had quite some way to go before I would re-reach Route 53.

At 296 I observed a small quaint old gray old home. On the other side here was a small piece of undeveloped property.  I passed a gray former farmhouse on my left.

I now crossed Center Street. (To the north this runs to Hanover Center.)  Myrtle, continuing as tree-lined and residential, made a slow curve to the right.

Consulting my map, I realized that I had been slowing down. I was behind schedule, but still should make my bus. To my left, at 376 I saw an old-looking yellow cape with black trim; it had a semi-attached garage. Past this on that side was a short stretch of woods.

I came to Old Cross Street on my left; opposite ahead I saw an old one and a half story green cape on a hill. Here Myrtle ends, and I bore right with Cross Street. I followed its slow right curve, seeing houses.

On the right I then saw a former field; other indications of past agricultural days seemed apparent. At 166, on my left, I noted a white one and half story cape with a two-door garage.

I could see Broadway, my next turn, ahead. I was now in South Hanover. On the left was short stretch of wetlands; the right appeared to be a former farm field. Further on the left, past a home a small, rather “cute” home at 202, was “The Berry Farm,” with a large colonial home.

Arriving at the intersection I had seen, I saw to the right Myette’s Country Store (fronting on Broadway); beside it were Pizza-Pizza and Village Hairstyles. In need of a drink, I went into to Meyette’s by its back door, noting its doing business in lottery tickets, videos and beer, and bought a Mug Root Beer. Going out through the other door, I sat a bench and drank this in the hot sun.

Across Broadway, I could see a sign indicating the Hanson town line, which is in the middle of the Indian Head River here. Two women with strollers, who had been behind me on Cross Street, went over the bridge. On the other side of the street was Marusa Billiard Service, in an old barn adjacent to a home. A Hanover Council on Aging van passed by.

In Dwelley and Simpson’s History, there is a photograph of the “Indian Head River at South Hanover”. They note that the first bridge was built here at 1720. In their day the tack factory of Ezra Phillips and Son spanned both the Hanover and the Hanson sides of the river here.

Setting out east on Broadway, I crossed the intersection, finding on the other side a crew from Joseph Newman (in Norwell), who were ending a job and putting a roller onto a trailer behind their truck. I went into a street island to read the sign (not accompanied by the flowers and flags I had seen on the two previously noted) designating this as Edward Y. Perry Square.

Now on the right of Broadway, I noticed a white former farmhouse, with a barn behind. In the latter was operated “The Last Resort”. Since the sign stipulated that this open by appointment, walk-ins not being allowed, I surmised that it was a hairstyle business; and Internet search suggests that I was close, but not correct.

Crossing to the left, I saw a mailbox in that side, numbered 1126 with the notation “Genuine Forgery”. I supposed that this was the peculiar name of some home-operated business (though I can find no business at that address via business directories). Broadway now curved right.

Refreshed by the drink, I was feeling better, though still sniffling.  At the right was a home for sale; numbered 1108, this was white with green trim and could described as a mixture of the colonial and cape styles.

I came Hanover Fire Company 5 on my left, in a one-story brown shingle building. Just past this was detached garage. There were homes on both sides of Broadway now.

At 1073 on the left was Bond and Company, a real estate appraisal business, in the 1895 home of Nathan Goodrich, a gray building. Further on that side, at 1057, came the Bonny Belle Ink Factory; this was in an attractive two and a half story red colonial, with white trim, dating to circa 1865. Another quite good looking home was at 1049; this gray building was owned by William Bonney, also circa 1865.

Sometimes I think of phrases that describe a given area or even a whole walk. For this part of Hanover, notwithstanding a few commercial properties, the words “residential with plaques” (referring to those markers no doubt put up by the Hanover Historical Society – data so common on my walks, and never failing to interest me) came to mind.

Broadway curved left. The left side now showed an overgrown farm field, followed (at 1011) by an old farmhouse and barn. Across, at 1003, was the 1740 one and a half story gray home of James Josselyn; I thought this was exceptionally good looking.

Further on the right, at the corner of Water Street, numbered 994, I saw the circa 1849 home of Lebbeus Stockbridge. On the left, marked circa 1860, was the gray Reuben Tower home, still another very nice looking residence.

I followed a gradual right curve of Broadway. At 947 I observed a yellow farmhouse, back from the road, with a barn behind it. Both sides of the street now evinced homes that had once been farms. I passed the six hour mark.

At 917 to my left I passed a good looking white house with a porch that presumably was once the seat of a farm.  On the other side was a former field, with a sign for Chilmark Company, which I supposed to mean more land was to destined for development. (Chilmark is indeed a real estate business.)

I encountered a brief section of woods on the left. Then on that side I saw a road, going to the invisible 899 Broadway. I was going very slow, the sun really taking its toll.

On the right, at 854 was a white home, with a barn, built in 1875.  Broadway made a right curve. On the left I observed a gray colonial, the home of Leijah Sylvester. On the right was a farm lot with the notice “To be built”; a dirt road and construction equipment were visible.

Now both sides of the road contained undeveloped land, first with woods and then more swamp-like in character. I came to Spring Street on the left, at which was a small street island with flowers.

To the right appeared the former St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Church, now a residential property. (Converting churches to housing is less common than converting schools, but I have seen quite a few examples.) Made of gray wood, this was an attractive building.

I went curving right and downwards. On both sides of Broadway were homes, relatively newer ones now. Ahead I detected a crossroads to the right, with Broadway curving left, with many cars visible. A dead muskrat was on the road.

In the woods on my right I saw a sign “New Home”. I reached Willow Road, realizing I was “almost” back to Route 53. Following curves left and then right, was a gray two-story colonial built by Thomas Merritt in 1725 on the left at 677.

I viewed a ranch uphill at 661. At Laurie Lane, on my left, was a sign “Home for Sale”. Broadway then curved right, then left. At Brown Street, on the right, was a sign, “Homes for Sale, New Construction”.

I went by a really good looking yellow home, with green shutter and a detached two-door garage, at 607. On the right I noted Karen Road. Now on the left was a stone wall, no doubt an indication that a farm was once here.

A right curve was visible ahead. Sure of my course, I folded my map and put it away. I felt a cool breeze. I saw some woods on the right, and then, at 519 on the other side, a cape home dating to 1765.

On the left I passed a gate, marked by the Hanover Department of Public Works Water Division as leading to Broadway Well #1.  For a brief stretch, there were woods on this side. My view ahead showed tree-lined homes along Broadway, with a right curve at the horizon.

Former farmland now containing two large homes was now visible to the right. On the left there was woods up a small hill.  Then both sides contained houses. At 440 on the right was observed the home of Bryan Simpson Otis, in gray with red trim with a porch and a small “barn-like” structure.

On the other side, numbered 411, I saw the circa 1812 home of Patrick Sylvester, a gray two-story building with white trim. My next turn was now apparent ahead. The land to my left was now undeveloped.

At this point, I had now filled up my 80-page memo book.  I had purchased this Carolina Pad product since earlier walks were indicating that 60 pages were insufficient for my walks. (Later I switched to 100 page versions at CVS and even later would begin taking two of these.) To keep up my note taking, I made use of some business cards in my wallet.

On the right was a short stretch of undeveloped land; then houses were again on both sides. I noticed the home at 365. Then, I finally, I saw Route 53!

Except, I instantly recognized, it was not 53, but rather the intersection of Broadway with Elm Street. I now remembered having come north on the latter street on walk long ago and having the same “false anticipation” that Route 53 was at that corner.

Concerned about missing my bus, continued with Broadway to the northeast from this intersection, following its gradually rising course and passing homes left and right till I could now see the real the junction with 53 (Columbia Road).

On right I went by Broad Oak Way. Already now I was in commercial territory again. I noticed a Citizens Bank on the right. In an old building on the other side was Black Eyed Susan’s Antiques and Gifts. (I saw the same business name in 2002, but on the Internet it seems to be Broadway Antiques.)

At the junction, on the right I noted Sylvester and Company, dealing in lumber, marine supplies and hardware. (I did not connect this with the Sylvester homes that I had seen, but it did look like a business of long standing.) This had a huge two and half story white building, with green trim, on Broadway, with an addition containing their main entrance on Columbia.

This area is Hanover Four Corners (I suppose), though the corners at point are actually a little to the east of here.  (I went through that area on a previous occasion, killing time at the end by walking around Hanover, and found in to contain many fine old houses.) Across, to my left, was a mall; this was a tempting place to stop. However, as if tempted to continue as far south as I had planned even though I knew that the goal of reaching new territory along Route 53 was impossible, I decided to stay with the game plan and go south into Pembroke.

There was some time before the bus. So I headed to North River Auto Service on the right (east) side of Columbia to use the rest room (not a very good one – the water faucets in the sink didn’t work) and (fumbling with coins – the only dollar bill I had was to wrinkled the work) get a Sprite from a vending machine. I sat down beside the station to drink this, watching the rather heavy traffic.

On August 3, 2002 I made a regional walk, beginning at the Hanson MBTA stop and ending at the Brockton Area Transit bus station; this was intended to take a photo of the end of this walk, but, due to technical error, failed to accomplish that end.  On passing North River Auto River service (having followed Route 53 from its northern junction with Route 14 and continuing with it north until Old Washington Street), I noticed the rest room door open. However, not having any need to use it, it did not occur to me to check it out for any improvement. North River Auto Service seems to be a fine institution and, service station rest rooms being hard to come be these days, I don’t mean to disparage them, though I do of course report things as I see them. 

Now I headed south on Columbia for a double repeat of a short part of 53. As usual, I did not like the idea of “re-walking” but sometimes it is unavoidable. (This distaste was aggravated by a false belief that I had done Broadway before on the prior walk that I dimly recollected and then forgotten about in the planning of this one. But in reality I had gone differently; the repetition applied only to that part of Broadway between Elm Street and Columbia Road.) On the right I passed strip malls with many businesses. I crossed to the left side of the street, that being the one on which I would get the bus, and passed by Siam Cuisine (offering, perhaps for those too young to remember that old nationality name, “Thai Food”), in tan brick one-story building with a green tile roof.

I went by a mall to the left and saw construction ahead. On my side I saw in a red building with white trim, back from the road in which were South Shore Restaurant Equipment Inc and South Shore Chemical, doing dry cleaning for carpets. This was located back from the road in red building with white trim. To the left was a similarly colored structure with the business of David O’Conley, explained by a sign “Have a leaky roof? Call the DOC.”

On the other side, at 427, was the North River Professional Building. (On my August 2002 walk, I noted that space was available here from Paramount Partners; their url, www.paramountpartners.com, which I had already seen before that day, at another construction site, was on the sign advertising this. But on the building was the name “Craffrey and Company, Inc./Builders”.) I crossed Pantooset Road (which, despite the maps, appears to continue to the east); at this corner on the other side was Country Villa Hair Stylists.

To my left I noticed a building containing J & B Equipment and North River Party Rental.  I passed River Road. It turned out that the construction involved the bridge over the North River. Only one lane (on the other side) was open. I was not sure whether I could walk over it, but a man working on the project told me I could. So I went to the left of the equipment, dodging various machines and trucks. Leaving the construction and crossing the river, I entered Pembroke. (In the subsequent walk I noticed that the bridge was dated to 1930, no mention of this renovation being apparent.)

Pembroke, said a Boston Globe real estate community profile on May 23, 1998, “has much to offer – and at an affordable price.  It quoted a median home price for the first quarter of that year as $164, 300, far less the nearby but tonier towns like Duxbury and Marshfield.  Typical home buyers (in whose company is my nephew) come from other South Shore towns and are purchasing a second, “move-up” home. The opening of the Kingston-Plymouth commuter rail line in 1997 spurred the real estate market in Pembroke.

As late as the 1960s, Pembroke had a population of only 4000 and farms still existed.  Now more than four times as large, it is predominantly residential, the commercial properties on Route 53 being a conspicuous exception.  Around 1900, it was a popular summer vacation area, with cottages surrounding its ponds and an amusement park, Mayflower Grove (a locality name on the Arrow atlas). Now many of these smaller residences have become homes for the retired.

Incorporated from a part of Duxbury in 1712, Pembroke was a shipbuilding center, with over a thousand vessels built by six different yards along the North River.  The Globe piece quotes Bancroft’s History of the United States as citing the Pembroke Resolve of 1772 as the first such call for American independence. (Anyone from my hometown, however, would credit the Braintree Instructions for that distinction.) It also notes that some believe that Pembroke iron forges made the anchor and fittings of the USS Constitution.

On the left was the North River Pet and Garden Center. It seemed that almost every business around here bore the name of this aquatic geographic feature. Pembroke Crossing, a strip mall, was on the other side of the street.

In the “New England Space Availability Guide” in the December 25 - December 31, 1998 issue of New England Real Estate Journal, the Grossman Companies offered space in this shopping plaza. This source identified the “key tenants” as Country Curtains and Eldred Wheeler.

On my side I saw a small piece of undeveloped land for sale. Then I noted Tri-Town Transmissions and South Shore Pool Specialists. Now on the left I passed Columbia Plaza, with various businesses, including the Café Eleganza. (As this indicates, the name Columbia Road is continued in Pembroke).

Across the street I saw a Texaco. Then on the left came Washington Street, Columbia Road ending at this point. I remembered taking this, heading north, on that previous walk in which I went through Hanover Four Corners, stopping for an iced coffee at Marylou’s.

The Arrow atlas shows the northern extension of Washington Street here as Old Washington Street. Inserting addresses with that name into MapQuest, however, results in a different segment, also labeled as Old Washington Street by Arrow, to the south. When I revised this area on August 17, 2002, I saw that the street sign here did read “Old Washington Street” but had been repainted with the “Old” not filled in. Pembroke perhaps has been doing some confusing street renaming.

On the right came Factory Paint Stores. Now I was alarmed to see a Plymouth and Brockton bus ahead – but it proved to a charter. As I thought about it, I seemed to remember that Plymouth and Brockton, which once had operated under a flag system, was now more insistent on people’s using the stops designated in their schedule. (The last time I had caught this bus I was not at such a stop and the driver pointed this out. I had - truthfully - replied that I had not been aware of where the stops were.)

Now to my left I noticed the Pembroke Friends Meeting House, small quaint building dating to 1706; a sign indicated that Sunday services were at 10:00 AM, making me think that it was still in use (but in fact it is a property of the Pembroke Historical Society). (It and the sign were still there in 2002; it had what seemed like a relatively new coat of gray paint. I thought I remembered its being white in 1997.) This was at the corner of Schooset Street, where Route 139 departs from Route 53, going east into Marshfield.

Schooset is a locality name that I have experienced only on maps; conceivably it is a third-order locality of North Pembroke. This intersection is Major J. Everett Turner Square, honoring a World War II member of the U. S. Army Air Corps. Here Columbia Roads ends and Washington Street continues Route 53 in a southeaster direction. (In 2002 I stopped at a new Honeydew Donuts at the southeast corner here.)

On the right I saw Jack’s Package Store and further on that side Bradford Furniture. (This long, vaguely colonial building was housing Hitchcock Fine Furniture on my 2002 visits to this area.) Now I came to one of the designated Plymouth and Brockton bus stops. I done slightly over seven hours and it seemed doubtful that I could make it as far as the next indicated such stop, Osborn’s Package Store in Duxbury.

Accordingly and very much against my custom, I stopped and waited about twenty minutes, enjoying the breeze, for the bus, which appeared right on schedule. Halting at this point, despite having hoped to go further and my natural inclination to keep walking was, I reflected, a rare “attack of common sense,” since I never would have reached Duxbury in the time remaining.

There was only other passenger on the bus; one more got on at Assinippi and three more at the Rockland Park and Ride. It is no wonder that Plymouth and Brockton no longer operates this bus, but I do remember its being actually crowded in years gone by.

Although it missed part of the intended goal and although physically rather exhausting, this walk was at least average in quality. It did take in some new localities, as well as offer some scenic and historic sights. Certainly it was much more interesting than the sequel, Completion of Route 53.

This walk also had the “dubious distinction” of setting a record for most roadkill observed. It also was the first to be illustrated by photographs from the digital camera that I bought in 2002. 

 

Name: Route 53

Path: Weymouth Landing – Rockland - Pembroke

Date: August 27, 1997

Time: 7 hours

Weather: Overcast, then sunny; 70’s-80’s; rather uncomfortably humid, despite many cool breezes

Roadkill: Bird [bluejay ?] (Rockland); skunk (Rockland); muskrat (Hanover); squirrel (Hanover)

Municipalities: Weymouth, Hingham, Rockland, Hanover, Pembroke

Localities: Weymouth Landing, Smelt Book, Washington Square, Lincoln Square, Corradan Square, Nob Hill, Sheehan Square, Peckham Square, Mill River, Thorps Hill, Frank Corner, Whitmans Pond, Lovells Corner, South Weymouth, Pullen Square, Old Swamp River, Pine Hills, Hartstuff Park, Cushing Brook, West Hanover, Fireworks, Pratt Square, Robinson Square, Yetson Square, South Hanover, Perry Square, Hanover Four Corners, North River, Turner Square, Schooset

Extinct localities: Emerson

Highlight: Polled Herefords (Rockland)

Lowlight: People asking if I needed help

New walks:  Completion of Route 53
                      SW from Rockland
                      S from South Weymouth
                     

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(c) James Murphy, 2002
Last edited November 4, 2004