Isn’t it interesting how a seemingly insignificant hill can hold so many stories? Winthrop Hill is such a place. It is a landmark that is modest yet meaningful. Let me tell you its story.
Winthrop Hill is in Winthrop Massachusetts. It is also known as Great Head or Green Hill. This high point offers extensive views. You can see adjacent bays shores and the open sea.
Let’s step back in time. In 1630 John Winthrop arrived with his fleet of Puritans. The early name for Winthrop was Pulling Point. Sailors had to pull their boats through a narrow channel. The channel was between the point and Deer Island. William Bateman was put ashore near Pulling Point. He was sick and weak. His companions returned two days later. They found him dead. The jury decided that Bateman had died by God’s visitacon.
Winthrop’s hills are drumlins. These hills were formed by glaciers. The glaciers deposited boulder clay. Winthrop’s hills include Cottage Hill and Floyds Hill.
Cottage Hill was also known as Green Hill. It is the highest promontory in town. It rises 105 feet above the surf. Residents enjoy the lookout. William B. Rice bought Cottage Hill. He laid it out into streets and lots in 1883.
Deacon David Floyd owned Floyd’s Hill. Almont Locust and Cross Streets were laid out there in 1875. The area was called Floydonia. Floyd families lived along Revere Street and on the hill.
Winthrop Head is a cliff. It is nearly one-half of a drumlin. Waves eroded the drumlin. The remaining half terminates over 100 feet high.
The Highlands section of Winthrop has two hills. They were originally part of the 1636 allotments. The highest point is 82 feet above sea level.
Mount Fairview is the loftiest summit of Winthrop Highlands. It provides a comprehensive view of the Boston region. The prospect is unequalled on the North Shore.
The town is named for John Winthrop. He was the second governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He received a large amount of land on Pulling Point. It is not sure if he lived in the town permanently.
His youngest son Deane Winthrop inherited the land. Deane lived on Pulling Point. Some say the town is named for him instead.
Jotham Grover was Deane Winthrop’s son-in-law. He married Margaret Winthrop. Grovers Cliff is named for him. It is also the face of a hill eroded by the ocean.
Chelsea Point is a cape. It faces west. It used to look over the Noddle Island mud flats. Now part of Logan Airport is there.
Edward G. Loring and George B. Emerson built estates on Chelsea Point. Loring was a judge. He ordered escaped slaves to be sent back to slavery. Emerson was an education reformer. He helped establish the Arnold Arboretum.
Mount Winthrop’s Great Head provides extensive views. It is a reminder of Winthrop’s rich history. It tells a story of geological forces historical figures and community development. Take a moment to appreciate this special place.