Metropolitan District Commission Pumping House facts for kids
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Metropolitan District Commission Pumping House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Woodland Rd., Stoneham, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1906 |
| Architect | Shepley, Rutan, & Coolidge |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| Part of | Middlesex Fells Reservoirs Historic District (ID89002249) |
| MPS | Stoneham MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002747 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1984 |
| Designated CP | January 18, 1990 |
The Metropolitan District Commission Pumping House is a historic building in Stoneham, Massachusetts. It sits next to Spot Pond in the Middlesex Fells Reservation. This building was finished in 1901 by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). It's a beautiful example of a building style called Renaissance Revival. The Pumping House is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It also became part of the Middlesex Fells Reservoirs Historic District in 1990.
Contents
What is a Pumping House?
A pumping house is a special building that holds machines to move water. This one helped supply water to towns like Melrose, Malden, and Medford. It took water from Spot Pond and sent it where it was needed.
The History of Spot Pond's Water Supply
Spot Pond became a public water source in 1870. A dam was built to make the pond bigger. Around 1900, the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) took over managing the water. They built this pumping house as part of a plan to improve water service in the area.
Building Design and Changes
The Pumping House was designed by famous architects named Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge. It was finished in 1901. The building is made of yellow brick with light-colored stone details. It has special corners and arched windows.
In 1923, a side section was added to the building. Sadly, in 1975, a fire badly damaged the Pumping House. The original tile roof was lost and replaced with the roof you see today.
How the Pumping House Worked
When it was first built, the Pumping House had three large steam-powered engines. These engines could pump a huge amount of water every day. One of these powerful machines was moved here from another pumping station in Somerville.
Later, between the 1920s and 1950s, these steam engines were replaced. Newer, large diesel engines took their place.
Water Supply Today
Today, Spot Pond is mostly used for emergency water supply. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) now manages the water. This pumping station still helps deliver water to local towns. However, the water now comes from a covered tank located elsewhere in the reservation.
