What caused the Mystic Lakes to remain so still? Here at the Mystic Lakes, the air hangs heavy with secrets. The Mystic Lakes, comprised of Upper and Lower Mystic Lake, whisper stories of a time long past. These lakes, nestled within Winchester, Arlington, and Medford, Massachusetts, hold a unique distinction. The Lower Mystic Lake is a meromictic lake. This means the bottom layer rarely mixes with the surface. Imagine layers of sediment, like pages in a history book, accumulating undisturbed for a thousand years. These “varves,” as scientists call them, hold clues to ancient hurricanes. The Mystic Lakes have witnessed history unfold. In the 17th century, the Squaw Sachem of Mistick, a powerful female leader, lived near these very shores. She deeded much of the land in Greater Boston to the arriving settlers. Her tribe, the Naumkeag, likely fished these waters and cultivated the eastern banks. A chilling discovery in 1862 unearthed an indigenous burial site. It’s believed to be the resting place of sachems, possibly Nanepashemet or Montowompate, further connecting the Mystic Lakes to the region’s earliest inhabitants. While the Mystic Lakes invite you to swim, sail, and fish, beware the Upper Mystic Lake. The Aberjona River, which feeds it, carries arsenic and other heavy metals. The eastern shore, part of the Mystic River Reservation, offers a protected glimpse into the past. The Mystic Lakes, once a vital part of Boston’s drinking water supply, now serve as a place of recreation and reflection. Their stillness belies a rich and complex history, one whispered by the wind across the water.
Rumney Marsh Burial Ground
A chill wind whispers through the aged headstones. This is Rumney Marsh Burial Ground. This historic cemetery dates back to