Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey
Dorchester Street
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Squaw Rock Park was sold to the City of Quincy by the City of Boston for $130,000 in (1971 ?). Although clearly within the city boundaries of Quincy, the land had been under Boston ownership since 1895 when it was taken by the City of Boston by eminent domain to facilitate the running of a sewer line out to Boston's treatment plant on nearby Moon Island. Squaw Rock Park was officially dedicated in 1976, made possible by the Department of the Interior, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Of outstanding significance to the City of Quincy for its passive recreation potential, Squaw Rock Park also contains Squaw Rock, of major archaeological siginificance, and the historic Miles Standish Cairn.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
City of Quincy. "Conservation-Recreation Plan for the City of Quincy", 1985, p. 35-36.
City of Quincy. Park and Recreation Board reference files.
Paul Robert Lyons. Quincy: A Pictorial History..1983, p.181.
VISUAL ASSESSMENT:
The 17.1 acre Squaw Rock Park, located north of Squantum and north of Moon Island, has 14.2 acres of upland and 2.85 acres of beach known as Squantum Head. It is uncultivated area, surrounded by tidal water, with a sharp drop from the soil areas to the beaches. Vegetation consists of small grassy fields, underbrush and trees, including a fine grove of birches. Atop the highest rise are some low square concrete structures which are now used for teenage-and-older partying but were connected with the Park's former life as a Nike rocket site in the 1950s. Squaw Rock Park contains many dirt and some asphalt paths which lead to Squaw Rock and provide excellent views of Thompson's Island, the causeway to Moon and Long Islands, Quincy and Dorchester Bays, and the Boston skyline.
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