Paradise Pond Smith College Form HFORM h - PARKS AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
80 BOYLSTON STREET
BOSTON, MA 02116
Photo (3 "x3" or 3 "x5" black and white)
Identify on back of photo.
Staple to left side of 'form.
Sketch Map: Draw map showing property's location
in relationship to nearest cross streets and /or
geographical features. Indicate all structures
within inventoried property and buildings between
it and nearest cross street.
Indicate north.
F
UTM REFEREN
USGS QUANDRANGLE
SCALE
AREA FORM NO.
Town CitX of Northampton
Address
Name Paradise Pond
Ownership: Private X —Smith College
Public
Local . State Federal
Type of Park or Landscape Feature
(check one):
Park
Green ommon
Garden
Training Field
Boulevard /Parkway
Other Pond
DESCRIPTION
Date 1871 Purchased by Smith College
Source Historical Handbook of Smith
Smith College. 1932
Landscape Architect (if known) N/A
Location of Plans (if known) N/A
Alterations (with dates) 1920 - lst
.dredging and College creates tFie
island.
■ S'Condition Good - Excellent
Acreage - --
Setting Smith College Campus
Recorded by Marcia Berkley
Organization City of Northampton
Da to
NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable):
VISUAL ASSESSMENT Describe topography and layout. Note structures such as bandstands, gazebos,
'heds, monuments and fountains; note landscaping features such as formal plantings, bodies of
� +later. Compare current appearance with original, if possible.
Paradise Pond serves as a focal point for Smith College which surrounds the Pond. The main
channel was dredged in 1920 and the earth used to transform a swamp into the Island. In 1931
the Lamont Bridge was constructed over the Mill River below the Pond to connect Allen Field and
the new field. A Japanese Tea House was constructed along the Pond with plantings.
In 1939 the Army Corps of Engineers diverted the Mill River and enlarged the Paradise Pond.
At this time a dike was built. The boat and crew house sit on the banks of the Pond.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Discuss types of use and major period of use, evaluate importance within
:Own.
Legend has it that Lenny Lind either on her concert tour or her honeymoon in 1851 while wisiting
the Round Hill Hotel declared the Pond and its bordering woods to be "like paradise ". The
Pond is used for boating and crewing by Smith College teams in addition ice skating, rowing,
various college events and weddings take place at the Pond.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and /or REFERENCES
- Historical Handbook of Smith College. Smith College, 1932
- Smith. Smith College.
PARADISE POND
The pond is a natural_ area created by the Mill River.
Chronology:
1871. Land bought; by Smith College in Paradise Pond area
1917, 16, 19: Hoe Factory property (now site of the Faculty Club)
sought by Smith. College makes a hid to purchase® On
Aug. 28, 1919, the hoe factory burns, and tmxikuxxpx mg*
xxmmxy it is torn down, 1919. In July 1919 tle Land
becomes Allen Ti_eld. ® (Portion of Allen Field had already existed prior).
Spring, summer 1920: F .rst cledgi.ng of pond by college: creation
of Whe lsland.f College buys State Hospital property
in 1921, ' 22 .
1931: Lamont Rridge is built; opened October, 1931.
19386 College dredges pond after hurricane
7.939 -40: Army Corps of Engineers diverts Mill River, enlarges
Paradise Fond. Dike built
1950 to presents Vari oug dredging projects. Latest: 1986, 1990
Fond is site of. ice skating, rowing, college events,
weddings, pictures, etc.
1990® Dredging fads state restriction (see Gazette, 6- 12 -90, p ®3)
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