Plaque Unveiling Ceremony

Following a 105-Year Journey Around the Town of Ayer – Ayer’s Historic (1907) Depot Square Watering Basin Comes Home to Depot Square Park.

The  Town of Ayer announces a Public Invitation to join together at the “Plaque Unveiling” Ceremony for Ayer’s Historic (1907) Depot Square Park Watering Basin Fountain on Friday, October 20th at 10:00AM.

The historic Ceremony takes place at the recently dedicated Depot Square Park by the Downtown Ayer MBTA Commuter Rail Station.

In 1907 the Boston & Maine Railroad placed a fine and massive cast-iron Watering Basin designed and manufactured by the famed J.L. Mott Co. of New York City at the Town of Ayer’s great railroad junction and station. The fine Watering Basin was introduced as the final touch of a decade (1897-1907) of substantial improvements at the Ayer Junction & Station including the construction of two new Passenger Stations, the construction of the Main Street Overhead Railroad Bridge, the construction of the underground pedestrian Subway, and impressive landscaping improvements at the Station area.

With the entrance of the United States in World War I and coming, of then, Camp Devens in the Town of Ayer & Harvard during the spring and summer of 1917, the US Army compelled the Boston & Maine Railroad and Town of Ayer to remove the Depot Square Watering Basin from the Ayer Railroad Station area as they declared it an obstacle to the countless new Army recruits and troops embarking and disembarking the passenger trains at the Ayer station on their way to the new Camp Devens main gate along West Main Street (what became The Verbeck Gate).

Thus, the grand Depot Square Watering Basin began its fascinating journey through the decades of the 20th and early 21st centuries around the Town of Ayer, being protected and cared for by a number of thoughtful Ayer residents.

It found its way to the greenspace along East Main Street by the Fedrick Carlton Circle (Ayer Rotary) being used as a great public flower planter.

The Watering Basin’s historic origins and original home at Downtown Ayer’s Depot Square was rediscovered by examining historic photos of Depot Square – and with the creation of the new Depot Square Park in 2021-22 the vision of restoring the (1907) Watering Basin back to its original quality and functionality, and to bring the Historic (1907) Depot Square Park Watering Basin back home (to Depot Square) after it’s long 105-year journey around the Town of Ayer became a wonderful reality.

Ayer’s Historic (1907) Depot Square Watering Basin, repurposed as a park fountain, now once again graces the Downtown Ayer Rail Station to bring pleasure, joy, historic character, and special memories to the Town of Ayer’s residents, families, visitors, rail-trail users, passenger rail commuters, and future generations.

The Public is invited to join us at the “Plaque Unveiling” Ceremony – and be a part of the story, history & heritage of Ayer’s Historic (1907) Depot Square Park Watering Basin Fountain in Downtown Ayer!

For additional information please contact Alan S. Manoian, Director – Ayer Office of Community & Economic Development at amanoian@ayer.ma.us or at 978-772-8220 X141.