Structure · Built 1900 · Demolished 1938
Riverhurst Boathouse
Riverhurst Boathouse
| Address | 56 Morgan Rd |
| Built | 1900 |
| Demolished | 1938 |
| Tenants | |
| Riverhurst Boat House (1900 - 1930) | |
The Riverhurst Boat House stood on the east bank of the Concord River at the foot of Bartlett Road, on the land at 56 Morgan Road that is now Bartlett's Landing. It was the center of Riverhurst, a summer camp colony on a forty-acre tract between the river and Concord Road.
Jacob F. Hobbs of Arlington bought the forty acres from Charles E. and Sarah E. Hosmer in August 1900, and in 1902 his heirs released it to his son Rolland A. Hobbs. The Hobbses let camp sites on leases, and campers rented canoes and boats at the boat house for the river and nearby Jug Island. A photograph by Thomson and Thomson of Boston shows the boat house with canoes, rowboats and launches tied at its float. When Rolland Hobbs's estate sold the tract in March 1915, a plan by Whitman and Howard showed the roads on the property, one "leading to the boat house" and the other "to the ball field," and the land went, subject to the campers' leases, to Fred B. Bartlett, A. Mabel Bartlett and Claude B. Bartlett of Bedford. In 1919 Claude B. Bartlett was listed as the manager of Riverhurst.
In January 1921 Whitman and Howard drew the "Plan of Riverhurst" for the Bartletts, dividing the land into house lots; the boat house is drawn on the river lot, Lot 12. On May 27, 1924 Fred and Mabel Bartlett sold Lots 11 and 12 and Lot 132 "with the Buildings thereon" to Robert J. Beals and Edward H. Hosford, trustees of the Riverhurst Associates, who were to manage, lease or sell the property. The Associates sold the same lots with the buildings to Charles Bund of Malden in 1930, and they passed through several private owners until the Riverhurst Realty Trust gave them up in 1995. The boat house is said to have later served as a dance hall as well; in the 1920s the town licensed three dance halls each year at its summer resorts. The building is said to have been wrecked by the hurricane of 1938. In January 1999 the land was deeded to the town as conservation land, now Bartlett's Landing.
References
- Historic New England: "Riverhurst Boat House, Billerica, Mass.", Thomson & Thomson photograph, neg. 1573; canoes, boats and launches at the boat house
- Billerica town report for 1924, selectmen: "The dance halls at the several resorts have been patronized by an unusually large number during the past year"
- Billerica town report for 1926, selectmen: policewomen "placed on duty at the dance halls in Pinehurst Park and Nutting's Pond"
Deed References
| Date | Type | Grantor | Grantee | Summary | Recorded |
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| 1874 | Deed | Francis A. Wheeler and Sarah A. Wheeler | Sarah E. Hosmer, wife of Dr. Charles E. Hosmer | Wheeler to Sarah E. Hosmer: the forty acres on the Concord River | 105/177 |
Wheeler, now of Concord, sells for $800 to Sarah E. Hosmer, wife of Charles E. Hosmer of Billerica, the western 40 acres of the Roby farm: from the northeasterly corner at B. L. Judkins and Sarah E. Hosmer's own land, westerly by Judkins to Concord River, southerly by the river to Charles A. Ranlett, easterly by Ranlett to Hosmer's land, and northerly by her land back to the start, subject to the Crosby-to-Hill right of way. Signed Sept. 7, 1874. The river land became the Riverhurst summer colony; the house stayed with the road frontage Mrs. Hosmer already owned.
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| August 28, 1900 | Deed | Charles E. Hosmer and Sarah E. Hosmer | Jacob F. Hobbs | The Hosmers sell the forty acres to Jacob F. Hobbs; start of the Riverhurst camps | 321/564 |
For one dollar and other consideration, to Jacob F. Hobbs of Arlington, the same 40 acres, now bounded easterly by land of Janet Nelson, "also a right of way from said granted premises to the highway through said land now or formerly of Janet Nelson along a certain lane," subject to the Crosby-to-Hill right of way. Title from Book 105, Page 177. Signed August 25, 1900.
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| 1902 | Quitclaim | Clarence F. Hobbs, Melnott A. Hobbs, Harriette E. Hobbs and Jennie F. Moore (heirs of Jacob F. Hobbs) | Rolland A. Hobbs | Hobbs heirs release the forty acres with the buildings to Rolland A. Hobbs | 350/463 |
The heirs of Jacob F. Hobbs of Arlington release the 40 acres with the buildings, and the lane through the Nelson land, to their brother Rolland A. Hobbs, "the only other heir." Title from Book 321, Page 564. Signed May 1, 1902.
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| March 20, 1915 | Executor's Deed | Frances W. Hobbs, executrix under the will of Rolland A. Hobbs | Nathan H. Daniels | Hobbs estate sells the tract to Nathan H. Daniels; roadway "leading to the boat house" | 534/381 |
For $13,300, under Probate license of February 1915, to Nathan H. Daniels of Bedford: the 40 acres with the buildings (title Book 350, Page 463), excepting a 100 square foot parcel "with the structure or camp thereon" devised to J. Florence Moore, and also Lot A on Land Court Plan 2792-A, the registered frontage on the main road from Bedford to Billerica. Signed March 20, 1915. The same day Daniels deeded Moore a 10,000 square foot parcel at the junction of the roadways "leading to the boat house" and "to the ball field" (Book 534, Page 383; Plan Book 32, Plan 41) and Moore released her interest in the 40 acres to him (Book 534, Page 384).
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| March 20, 1915 | Quitclaim | Nathan H. Daniels and Elizabeth W. Daniels | Fred B. Bartlett, A. Mabel Bartlett and Claude B. Bartlett | Daniels sells the resort to the Bartletts, subject to the campers' leases | 534/385 |
To the Bartletts of Bedford, the 40 acres with the buildings between B. L. Judkins, the Concord River, Charles A. Ranlett and Janet Nelson, with the lane to the highway, subject to the Crosby-to-Hill right of way, excepting the 10,000 square foot parcel at the junction of the roadways to the boat house and the ball field (Plan Book 32, Plan 41), and subject to leases given by Rolland A. and Frances W. Hobbs. Signed March 20, 1915. Whitman and Howard laid the tract out as the "Plan of Riverhurst," January 1921 (Plan Book 38, Plan 85).
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| March 20, 1915 | Quitclaim Deed | Frances W. Hobbs of Bedford, residuary devisee under the will of Rolland A. Hobbs | Fred B. Bartlett, A. Mabel Bartlett and Claude B. Bartlett of Bedford | Frances W. Hobbs releases her interest and the personal property to the Bartletts | 534/387 |
Signed, acknowledged and recorded March 20, 1915. "Meaning hereby to convey all my interest in said 40 acre tract acquired as residuary devisee under the will of the said Rolland A. Hobbs, deceased, late of Arlington", excepting the lot of 10,000 square feet at the junction of the roadways and the ways appurtenant to it, which keeps a right of way "both to the highway and said Concord river along existing roadways"; subject to "the rights of all persons under leases given by Rolland A. Hobbs and the said Frances W. Hobbs"; including the personal property on the premises, except the tenants' camps and their contents and some articles "in the camp known as Riverhurst" (an old-fashioned bureau used as a sideboard, a desk, two hickory chairs, a collection of birds and a fire set) and the cut wood. The Bartletts gave Frances W. Hobbs a $5,000 mortgage the same day (Book 534, Page 388). Book 534, Pages 387-388.
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| November 4, 1922 | Quitclaim Deed | Claude B. Bartlett of Billerica; Blanche F. Bartlett, his wife, releasing dower and homestead | Fred B. Bartlett and A. Mabel Bartlett, husband and wife, of Billerica | Claude B. Bartlett conveys his third to Fred B. and A. Mabel Bartlett | 670/499 |
Signed January 26, 1920 (acknowledged in Volusia County, Florida); recorded November 4, 1922. For $2 in revenue stamps, quitclaim, "an undivided one-third interest in and to a certain tract of land with the buildings thereon located in said Billerica, containing forty (40) acres, more or less", bounded by land of B. L. Judkins and Janet Nelson, the Concord River and land of Charles A. Ranlett, with a right of way to the highway through the Nelson land "along a certain lane", subject to the right of way "expressed in a deed from Jeremiah Crosby Guardian, to Elijah B. Hill"; excepting the parcel of the Whitman and Howard plan of March 3, 1915 at "the junction of two roadways, one indicated on said plan as leading to the boat house, and the other as leading to the ball field", and three parcels already sold: Lot 29 to Albion C. Fletcher (1917, Book 577, Page 39), Lot 54 to Bertham M. Stockbridge (1917, Book 591, Page 46) and 60,680 square feet to Claude B. Bartlett (1919, Book 610, Page 570). Title: the Daniels and Hobbs deeds of March 20, 1915 (Book 534, Pages 385 and 387). Book 670, Pages 499-500.
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| May 27, 1924 | Quitclaim Deed | Fred B. Bartlett and A. Mabel Bartlett, husband and wife, of Billerica | Robert J. Beals and Edward H. Hosford of Malden, Trustees of the Riverhurst Associates | Bartletts sell Lots 11, 12 and 132 with the buildings to the Riverhurst Associates | 706/293 |
Signed, acknowledged and recorded May 27, 1924. For $7 in revenue stamps, quitclaim, "the land in said Billerica with the Buildings thereon, being lots numbered 11, 12, and 132 on plan of Riverhurst, Billerica, Mass., January 1921", Plan Book 38, Plan 85: Lots 11 and 12 "Northwesterly and northerly by the Concord River; Northeasterly by lot 131 on said plan; Southeasterly and easterly by Bartlett Road on said plan; and Southwesterly by Lot numbered 10", 46,600 square feet; Lot 132 between Bartlett Road, Lot 131 and Ossipee Road, about 2,685 square feet. "Said parcels are a part of the premises conveyed to the Grantors together with one Claude B. Bartlett by deed of Nathan H. Daniels, March 20, 1915 ... Book 534, Page 385; by deed of Frances W. Hobbs dated March 20, 1915 ... Book 534, Page 387 and by said Claude B. Bartlett to these grantors by deed dated January 26, 1920 ... Book 670, Page 499", with a right of way to the main highway and over the streets of the plan. Held in trust to manage, lease or sell; the Riverhurst Associates are "Robert J. Beals, Edward H. Hosford and William G. Parker", in equal shares. The trustees gave Mary E. Parker of Malden a $4,000 mortgage the same day (Book 706, Page 294). Book 706, Pages 293-294.
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| May 1, 1930 | Quitclaim Deed | Robert J. Beals of Malden and William G. Parker of Medford, Trustees of the Riverhurst Associates | Charles Bund of Malden | Riverhurst Associates sell the boat house lots to Charles Bund | 789/61 |
Signed and acknowledged April 30, 1930; recorded May 1, 1930. Quitclaim, "the land in Billerica with the buildings thereon", Lots 11, 12 and 132 of the Plan of Riverhurst, "Said parcels being the premises conveyed to the grantors by deed of Fred B. Bartlett and A. Mabel Bartlett dated May 27, 1924 ... Book 706, Page 293", with the right of way to the main highway and over the streets of the plan, subject to the 1930 taxes and to a $4,000 first mortgage to Mary E. Parker (Book 706, Page 294). It is recorded after a certificate of the Associates, sworn July 19, 1928, that Edward H. Hosford had resigned as trustee and transferred his share to Beals and Parker, and that Parker had been elected in his place. Book 789, Pages 61-62.
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| May 1, 1930 | Quitclaim Deed | Charles Bund of Malden; Alice L. Bund, his wife, releasing dower and homestead | William G. Parker of Medford | Bund sells to William G. Parker | 789/62 |
Signed and acknowledged April 30, 1930; recorded May 1, 1930. Quitclaim, "the land in Billerica with buildings thereon", Lots 11, 12 and 132 of the Plan of Riverhurst (Lots 11 and 12, 46,600 square feet, by the Concord River; Lot 132, 2,685 square feet), "Being the same premises conveyed to said Charles Bund by deed of Robert J. Beals and William G. Parker, of even date, to be recorded herewith." Book 789, Pages 62-63.
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| July 14, 1932 | Quitclaim Deed | William G. Parker of Medford; Mary E. Parker, his wife, releasing dower and homestead | Lena M. Kelly of Lowell | Parker to Lena M. Kelly, with the buildings | 815/256 |
Signed and acknowledged June 18, 1932; recorded July 14, 1932. Quitclaim, "with the buildings thereon", Lots 11, 12 and 132 of the Plan of Riverhurst, Lots 11 and 12 bounded by the Concord River, Lot 131, Bartlett Road and Lot 10, 46,600 square feet, Lot 132 about 2,685 square feet, "Being all and the same premises to me conveyed by Charles Bund in deed dated May 1, 1930 ... Book 789, Page 62." Kelly gave Parker a $4,000 mortgage back the same day (Book 815, Page 256). Book 815, Pages 256-257.
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| March 16, 1933 | Quitclaim Deed | Lena M. Kelly of Lowell; Walter Kelly, her husband, releasing curtesy | Albert Dion of Lowell | Kelly to Albert Dion, with the buildings | 822/573 |
Signed and acknowledged December 5, 1932; recorded March 16, 1933. Quitclaim, "with the buildings thereon", Lots 11, 12 and 132 of the Plan of Riverhurst, with the same bounds (Lots 11 and 12, 46,600 square feet, by the Concord River; Lot 132, about 2,685 square feet, on Ossipee Road), "Being all and the same premises to me conveyed by William G. Parker in deed dated June 18, 1932 ... Book 815, Page 256", subject to a first mortgage to Parker which the grantee assumes. Book 822, Pages 573-574.
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| June 28, 1941 | Quitclaim Deed | William G. Parker and Mary E. Parker, husband and wife, of Medford | Margaret R. Cooke of 135 Church Street, Wilmington | The Parkers sell Lots 11, 12 and 132 to Margaret R. Cooke | 962/342 |
Signed and acknowledged June 28, 1941 (before John D. Cooke, notary); recorded June 28, 1941. Quitclaim, Lots 11, 12 and 132 of the Plan of Riverhurst, Lots 11 and 12 bounded by the Concord River, Lot 131, Bartlett Road and Lot 10, 46,600 square feet, and Lot 132 on Bartlett and Ossipee Roads, about 2,685 square feet. "Being all and the same premises to me conveyed by Albert Dion deed recorded in Middlesex County Registry of Deeds, Book 836, Page 1." Book 962, Pages 342-343.
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| December 4, 1942 | Quitclaim Deed | Margaret R. Cooke of Wilmington; John D. Cooke, her husband, releasing curtesy | Miriam J. Hosmer of Wilmington | Cooke to Miriam J. Hosmer | 986/405 |
Signed December 3, 1942; recorded December 4, 1942. Quitclaim, "lots numbered eleven, (11) twelve (12) and one hundred thirty-two (132) on a plan of Riverhurst", Lots 11 and 12 bounded by the Concord River, Lot 131, Bartlett Road and Lot 10, 46,600 square feet, and Lot 132 between Bartlett Road, Lot 131 and Ossipee Road, about 2,685 square feet. "Being the same premises conveyed to me from William G. Parker, and Mary E. Parker ... Book 962, Page 342." Book 986, Pages 405-406.
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| October 17, 1947 | Quitclaim Deed | Miriam J. Hosmer of Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, unmarried | Margaret Amicangioli of 152 Malden Street, Malden | Hosmer to Margaret Amicangioli, with the buildings | 1079/313 |
Signed August 8, 1947; acknowledged September 9, 1947; recorded October 17, 1947. Quitclaim, "Two certain parcels of land, with the buildings thereon": Parcel One, Lots 14, 15 and 16 of the Plan of Riverhurst, and Parcel Two, Lots 11 and 12, bounded by the Concord River, Lot 131, Bartlett Road and Lot 10, "together containing 46,600 square feet of land." "For my title to Parcels One & Two see deed to me of Margaret R. Cooke dated December 3, 1942 ... Book 986, Page 405 and also deed ... Book 976, Page 363 from John D. Cooke." Book 1079, Page 313.
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| July 22, 1955 | Quitclaim Deed | Margaret Amicangioli of 152 Malden Street, Malden | Howard R. Utt of Cambridge | Amicangioli to Howard R. Utt, with the buildings | 1301/279 |
Recorded July 22, 1955 (No. 983). Quitclaim, "A certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon": Lots 11 and 12 of the Plan of Riverhurst, bounded by the Concord River, Lot 131, Bartlett Road and Lot 10, "together containing about 46,600 square feet of land", with the use of the roadways shown on the plan. "For my title to said land and buildings above described as lots 11 and 12 See deed to me from Miriam J. Hosmer, dated August 8, 1947 ... Book 1079, page 313." Book 1301, Pages 279-280.
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| October 4, 1974 | Quitclaim Deed | John Linehan of Bedford | Agnes A. Utt of 34 Bartlett Road, Billerica | John Linehan to Agnes A. Utt | 2128/444 |
Dated August 15, 1974 (per the 1990 deed); recorded October 4, 1974. For one dollar, quitclaim, four parcels: Parcel 1, "A certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon", Lots 11 and 12 of the Plan of Riverhurst, bounded by the Concord River, Lot 131, Bartlett Road and Lot 10, about 46,600 square feet, "Being the same land conveyed to Howard R. Utt by Margaret Amicangioli" and recorded July 22, 1955 (Book 1301); Parcel 2, Lot 99 on Bartlett and Roosevelt Roads (Utt from Leo J. Gutoski, Book 1334, Page 419); Parcel 3, Lot B of a 1955 plan of Riverhurst by Dana F. Perkins and Sons (Utt from Gutoski, Book 1309, Page 272); Parcel 4, Lots 128 and 129 on Ossipee Road (Utt from Mary B. Mackey, Book 1413, Page 62). Book 2128, Pages 444-446.
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| April 3, 1990 | Quitclaim Deed | Agnes A. Utt of Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania, unmarried | Charles W. Sullivan and Peter Sorgi, Trustees of the Riverhurst Realty Trust, of 50 Staniford Street, Boston | Agnes A. Utt to the Riverhurst Realty Trust | 5191/296 |
Dated March 23, 1990; recorded April 3, 1990. For $10, quitclaim, all her interest in Parcel One, Lots 9 and 10 on Bartlett Road (title Book 1328, Page 388, 1956); Parcel Two, "A certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon", Lots 11 and 12, about 46,600 square feet, by the Concord River (title: deed from John Linehan dated August 15, 1974, Book 2128, Page 444); and Parcel Three, Lot 104 (title Book 1332, Page 119). It notes that Howard R. Utt died in 1973 (Middlesex Probate Docket No. 470859). Book 5191, Pages 296-297.
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| February 21, 1995 | Quitclaim Deed | Peter Sorgi of Boston, surviving original Trustee of Riverhurst Realty Trust (Charles W. Sullivan having died August 29, 1994) | Marshbrook Realty Trust (u/d/t December 29, 1984), of 17 Marshbrook Road, Billerica | Riverhurst Realty Trust to Marshbrook Realty Trust | 7393/200 |
Dated January 26, 1995; recorded February 21, 1995. For $25,000, quitclaim, Parcel One, Lots 9 and 10 on Bartlett Road (17,830 and 14,630 square feet), and Parcel Two, "A certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon", Lots 11 and 12 of the Plan of Riverhurst, bounded by the Concord River, Lot 131, Bartlett Road and Lot 10, "together containing about 46,600 square feet of land." Title for both: deed of Agnes A. Utt, March 23, 1990, Book 5191, Page 296. Book 7393, Pages 200-201.
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| January 4, 1999 | Quitclaim Deed | John F. Mixon Jr., Trustee of Marshbrook Realty Trust, of 17 Marshbrook Road, Billerica | Town of Billerica | Marshbrook Realty Trust gives the land to the town; Bartlett's Landing | 9840/196 |
Acknowledged in 1998; recorded January 4, 1999, with the Board of Selectmen's acceptance. "For good and valuable consideration paid and with Quitclaim Covenants", "A certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon": "Lots numbered eleven (11) and twelve (12) as shown on a plan of land known as "Riverhurst", Billerica, Mass., dated January 1921", Plan Book 38, Plan 85, bounded "Northwesterly and northerly by the Concord River; Northeasterly by lot 131 on said plan; Southeasterly and easterly by Bartlett Road on said plan; Southwesterly by lot ten (10) on said plan, together containing about 46,600 square feet of land." "Said real property is conveyed to said Town under the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 8C ... and of Article 49 of the Massachusetts Constitution to be managed and controlled by the Conservation Commission of the Town of Billerica for the promotion and development of natural resources and for the protection of the watershed resources of said Town." Title: deed of Peter Sorgi, surviving original trustee of Riverhurst Realty Trust, dated January 26, 1995, Book 7393, Page 200. Book 9840, Page 196.
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Recorded is Book/Page at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds unless noted.