Wintertime in the old Fay Estate

The gated entrance to the Fay Estate of Lynn, Peabody and Salem, through Fay Road, was guarded by the Gatekeeper who lived in the cottage to the right.  The early entrance to the estate was through Spring Pond Road.  Riding through the long roads on horse and carriage to reach the mansion, visitors were greeted by the grace of the landscape with beautiful and exotic trees and shrubs along the way, in the scene of an old English Manor estate.  The Gatekeepers Cottage has received some modifications today.  The cottage, three other buildings and many of the *trees still remain.  

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Old photo of Fay Road in wintertime

c. early 1900's, Fay Road in wintertime, in the Fay Estate of Lynn

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Old newspaper clipping: Mineral Spring Hotel

The Mineral Spring Hotel was in Lynn, bordering the Salem/ Peabody line, where the Fay Mansion later once stood.  The tract of land in Lynn, Salem and Peabody was mostly pasture, with some forest, creating an enjoyable retreat on the facing hillsides of Spring Pond.  In 1849, Richard Sullivan Fay bought the hotel and converted it into a residence, utilizing the pastures and planting an exotic natural arboretum.

From the Salem Gazette, July 2, 1841

More info on the hotel can be found here.  


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Map of Fay Arboretum

              Mr. Fay's Arboretum was once a well known place, notable for being one of the earliest arboretums, predating Olmstead and for having trees being sighted here first in the country.  People enjoyed walking the estate, admiring the vast variety of native and exotic foliage.  Below is a map of the inventoried flora in the historic Fay Estate.   There is more area (blank areas) to further inventory, as this is only an initial study.  The love of nature and history of this hidden treasure is one of the biggest reasons why so many wish to preserve the entire area.   In comparing the species of flora with historic research, this drawing reveals the hidden gem we have here in Essex County, in Lynn, Peabody and Salem, MA.  I hope regional planning includes uniting these three cities to preserve this old paradise and beloved area.   Three cities are connected here by the recreational wooded areas around Spring Pond.  

The arboretum map will be updated on occasion, when a new inventory of flora is made.  

To view, click on map, and again to zoom in. Right-click to download. 

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Mineral Spring Hotel Adverts

Thank you to TomO for sharing these adverts he found in the Salem Gazette from the early 1800's...

For more info on the Mineral Springs Hotel, click here...

www.springpondwoods.com/search/label/1804-1846%20Twin%20Springs%2F%20Mineral%20Spring%20Hotel

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A ready-made arboretum

        A tree map through the old Fay Estate, where one can wonder through old paradise and find beautiful rare flora from all parts of the world pertaining to history, is found here: www.springpondwoods.com/p/arboretum.html


      We have a ready-made arboretum here in Lynn, Salem and Peabody by Spring Pond. The trees are found readily in Spring Pond Woods on the old estate.  Richard Sullivan Fay, a historic land owner imported 200 acres of rare flora from all parts of the world, and many of these species are believed to of been seen here first in the country!   In days of old, the trees were labeled for those who strolled through the estate to admire the foliage.  We hope to revive this historic landscape and bring it back to its days of glory.

The flora is inventoried as follows:

• Jasmine from the Mediterranean 
• Bitter Night Shade, native to the Mediterranean in  Europe or Asia 
• Mock-orange, native to America, Asia or southeast Europe 
• Asiatic Day Flower, native to east or south Asia 
• Lemon mint, native to the Mediterranean in Europe 
• Bamboo, native to east Asia 
• Red Oak, unique species 
• Norway Spruce, native to Europe 
• Black Locus, native to southeastern United States 
• Tulip Tree, unidentified
• Austrian Pine, native to Europe 
• European Mountain Ash, native to the Mediterranean in Europe or Asia 
• Birch, unique species 
• Sasafras, native to North America and Asia 
• Mulberry, native to the subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Europe or Americas 
• Scotch Pine, native to Europe or Asia 
• Missletoe, native to Great Britain or Europe 
• Pussy Willow, unidentified to native country 
• Rhododendrum, native to southern Asia, southern Europe, northern Australia or southern Americas 
• Hyacinth, native to eastern Mediterranean or Asia 
• White Campion, native to Europe, Asia and Africa 
• Elm, native to Asia
• Aster, native to Europe and western Asia

A variety of trees from North America include:

• Mountain Laurel 
• Honey Locus 
• Atlantic White Cedar 
• American Beech 
• American White Birch 
• Larch Tamarack 
• Sugar Maple 
• Lady’s Slippers Orchids

Other unique flora and trees remain unidentifiable

Photo above:  Spring Pond Advocates taking an inventory of the trees.

Old newspaper clipping

The English locust trees and oaks still remain on the old estate... (most of the woods around Spring Pond)...

Flowers

The old Fay Estate was once partially in Lynn, Peabody and Salem.  

Richard Sullivan Fay imported several rare plants from all parts of the world, and filled the Estate with exotic trees and flora, turning it into an arboretum to admire. 

A few of the flora around Spring Pond can be found in different parts of the season. Some of these (not all) are artifacts of exotic flora from the paradise of the tropics in the Mediterranean, Asia and other parts of the world.

Flower No. 1  Cephalanthus occidentalis - Buttonbush, Button-willow and Honey-bells.  A native plant worth walking to see, and found near wetlands.

Flower No. 2  

Flower No. 3  Solanum Ducamara - Bitter Sweet Night Shade.  Native to Europe and Asia, as seen in the Mediterranean.  Creates a purple flower first.  Then turns into colorful fruit balls.  (Pardon the windy day in the photo.  Thanks to Leslie for finding the name.).

Flower No. 4 (unidentified) Seems exotic. Blooms in June.

Flower No. 5   Philadelphus - Mock-orange.  Native species to Americas, Asia and southeast Europe.  Smells like orange and Jasmine. (Thanks to Jocelyn for finding the name.)

Flower No. 6   Commelina communis - Asiatic Day Flower.  Native to East and South Asia.  (Thanks to Leslie for finding the name.)

Flower No. 7  (native meadow flower?)

Flower No. 8

Flower No. 9 Pink Lady's Slipper , native species

Flower No. 10  Hatpins, native flower blooms when pond is exposed.  

Flower No. 11  Clethra alnifolia, Pepper bush, Native flower, has a sweet strong smell.  This shrubbery surrounds the pond.

Flower No. 12  Silene Latifolia, White Campion is native to Europe, Asia and Africa.  

Flower No. 13  Wood Hyacinth native to Europe and the Mediterranean region.

( Thank you to Leslie Courtemanche for sharing this photo. )


Flower No. 14 Eutrochium, Joe-Pye Weed is a native flower, herb, wildflower, butterfly plant, ornamental flower bed, and Native American medicine healer.   A camouflaged cricket stands on a leaf.  Thank you to Leslie for finding the name.

Flower No. 15  Jasmine! "gift of God", genus of shrubs and vines in the Olive family, native to tropical climates of the "Old World" of the Mediterranean

Flower No. 16  

Tragopogon dubius, Yellow Goat's Beard, a type of Aster, native to southern and central Europe, and western Asia. Found as far North as northern France. Found blooming in August. Thank you to Leslie for finding the name