On a Cow at Locust Lawn

Facebook surprised me today with a display of these two old photos. Apparently I had shared these on this day in 2017, and FB asked if I wanted to share them again. No thanks, not on FB.  But I am happy to see these again, and post them here in my Danvers blog. 

Oh, such memories!   In the top photo I'm the one sitting on the cow.  My dear friend Janet Hoberg is standing in front, and my sister Jean is hugging the cow. 

In the lower photo, our dog Heidi is in view, and Janet is astride the cow. The background shows the slope of Locust Lawn and the border of trees along the "Back avenue" --- just as I remember.   All very familiar scenes in my childhood!

Juneteenth

Today I thank the Danvers Historical Society for sharing relevant information about Juneteenth, and the history of abolition efforts in Danvers. 

I'm quoting here from today's email:

 "Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The name combines "June" and "nineteenth," marking June 19, 1865—the day Major General Gordon Granger enforced the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas following the Civil War."

"Danvers, Massachusetts, played a significant role in this movement. Although slavery was illegal in Massachusetts by 1783, abolitionist sentiment surged in the 1830s, turning Danvers and neighboring towns like Peabody, Lynn, and Salem into movement hubs. In 1838, Danvers hosted the Essex County Anti-Slavery Convention, which urged voters to recognize their duties toward enslaved people."

"Several enslaved people from Danvers and South Danvers enlisted in the Patriot cause during the Revolution: Peter Buxton, Prince Buxton, Scipio Shaw, Primus Trask, Prince Estabrook, and Primus Jacobs. "

"The community was deeply engaged through grassroots organizing:

 - Petitions: The Petition of Danvers Women Against Slavery (circa 1840–1845) highlighted the active role of women in the cause.

 - Public Discourse: Local leaders like Daniel Foster and national figures such as Frederick Douglass, Wendell Phillips, and Parker Pillsbury delivered influential addresses in town.

 - Leadership: Richard Hood, a local business owner and member of the “Seven Stars” group, helped establish the Danvers Anti-Slavery Society. He served the American Anti-Slavery Society and joined the Boston Vigilance Committee to aid freedom seekers via the Underground Railroad.

Through public education and tireless activism, Danvers contributed significantly to the movement that led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the eventual abolition of slavery in 1865."

1897 map

This morning I found online images of an 1897 folding map of Salem, Danvers and nearby towns.  I like this closeup view showing parts of Danvers where I grew up:   

    View of Danvers portion of 1897 folding map

 On it, I can clearly see Nichols Street running past "Dales Hill" and continuing straight across the north-south route labelled "Newbury" (Newburyport turnpike). In my earliest years, Nichols Street did continue that way, going straight beyond our house, which was at 120 Nichols Street, at the corner with Preston Street. My grandparents lived behind us, with their driveway and address on Preston. My father's business started up in their garage, adjacent to our backyard. And we played, climbed trees, sledded and skied on Dales Hill (though I didn't then know it by that name). 

Portions of these roads were re-named after the 1950 reconstruction and widening of the Newburyport turnpike (Route1) cut Preston Street into two segments. The segment near us was re-named Nichols Street, and the older northern portion of Nichols Street, still a dirt road, was given a new name (Speedwell Place) and abandoned. It no longer continued over the hill to the old ice pond at Ferncroft.

My grandparents joked about having to MOVE from 123 Preston Street to 124 Nichols Street, but in reality only their mailing address and house number needed updating.

Below is an image of the whole folding map, unfolded: 

     A Map of City of Salem and towns of Marblehead, Peabody and Danvers

That map shows the train routes and stations as of 1897.  

Update: in October 2026 my daughter sent me a link to a different 1897 map posted by Atlascope. I was able to focus in on the northern end of Danvers and take the screen shot. It includes some different details, especially some family names, and an outline of the property owned by Mrs. Leopold Morse. 

Look at the green-shaded area marked “Mrs Leopold Morse”. That’s exactly where I grew up, living for 14 years (1943-1957) at the corner where Preston St ended, connecting to Nichols St.  By 1951, because of the widening and fencing of Newberry St (Route 1), the “orphaned" segment of Preston St was re-named Nichols Street. 

DALES HILL (within Mrs Morse’s property - in an area we all called "Locust Lawn,") is where a big mansion and an 1856 barn existed. I loved playing in that barn!  The mansion was torn down in the 1940’s; I’ve seen a photo of a baby carriage (with me in it) in front of the old abandoned mansion just before it was demolished.  Later, the old ruins of that mansion provided a wonderful play place for us as kids (early 1950’s)! By 1958 my parents had a NEW house constructed there, leaving part of the old foundation as a sunken garden and a very small swimming pool. 

My father and friends created a “Locust Lawn Club” and held many events in that 1856 old barn, including square dances, and very spooky Halloween parties. The most popular activity, however, was SKIING!  The eastern slope of Dales Hill (later called "Nichols Hill”) was excellent for family skiing.  A rope tow run by an old Ford (model T ?) carried us up hill. Skiing down was easy. Later a second tow (run by our old Buick) was added to serve a new longer section to trails that went further down (almost to that swamp). 

SO MANY MEMORIES!