Middleborough in Plymouth County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Oliver Mill Park
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 19, 2026
1. Oliver Mill Park Marker
The Muttock area has a history of occupation and use that dates to the early archaic period, attracting Native Americans who came to fish in the Nemasket River amd who probably established a small village nearby. In 1734 a dam was built across the Nemasket River here, replacing an old native fish weir.
Between 1744 and 1776, Peter Oliver, an important provincial tory official and judge, as well as an industrial entrepreneur, operated an ironworks that included one of the earliest rolling and splitting mills in New England. Oliver's works dominated Middleborough's early economy and were significant for the degree to which they exploited the power of the Nemasket River, using as many as eight water wheels to run an integrated cluster of iron works, grist, saw and other water powered mills.
After 1800 the site was converted into a shovel shop under the ownership of General Abiel Washburn and operated into the 1840's.
Following the abandonment of the site in the 1870s the area was largely ignored until the 1960sand 1970s when it was partially restored for recreational purposes. Oliver Mill Park survives as one of the most
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1744.
Location. 41° 54.43′ N, 70° 54.84′ W. Marker is in Middleborough, Massachusetts, in Plymouth County. It is at the intersection of Nemasket Street and Plymouth Street, on the left when traveling north on Nemasket Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Middleboro MA 02346, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Fort (approx. 0.9 miles away); Middleborough Civil War Monument
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 19, 2026
2. Oliver Mill Park Marker
Herring run and remnants of the mill building are in the background.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Plan of Judge Oliver's Estate and Works (Internet Archive).
Mr. Oliver was a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1737, became a very prominent citizen in the colony, and perhaps did more for the town than any other individual. He early bought much of the land about Muttock, including the dam and water privilege, and at once proceeded to erect a forge and slitting-mill on the dam, and an iron foundry, known as Oliver's Furnace, a little below upon a point of land extending into the middle of the river.(Submitted on June 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
2. Saugus Iron Works - National Park Service.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 19, 2026
3. Building Remnants and Herring Run
In the 1600's, on the banks of the Saugus River, something extraordinary happened! Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin.(Submitted on June 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
3. Plimoth Grist Mill.
At our reproduction of the Plymouth Colonists original 1636 grain mill on Town Brook, take a fascinating look at the mills history and workings, from the 200-year-old millstones grinding corn to the ecology of the brook that has powered mills throughout the centuries.(Submitted on June 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 19, 2026
4. Bridges Over Multiple Mill Races at the Site
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 19, 2026
5. Peter Olivers Colonial Mill
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 19, 2026
6. Middleborough Lakeville Herring Fishery Commission
Educational markers about herring are present throughout this park, which is a location for viewing the annual herring run seasonally. Local guidance suggests this period is in late April, early May between the blooming of the Forsythia and the later-blooming Lilacs.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
