Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 8.

[p. 84] the three-story hotel called the Somerville House. Farther away at the top of Quarry Hill was the old Powder House, a relic of long ago when the Medford people went thither for their grist to be ground—for it was once a windmill tower. Three buildings crowned the top of Walnut Tree Hill, as it was formerly called, the beginning of Tufts College; and the depot across the track, as was also the college site, became known as College Hill.

Perhaps we have waited a few years and taken another train, and our picture has grown and improved some. We may be seated in new cars, the first of the monitor top, the metallic letters have been succeeded by painted ones, the hair-cloth seats by plush, and the windows with glass of larger size. The seat backs are locked securely, so none can be turned by passengers, and the stoves have an iron strap around them to hold them to the car floor and their doors are like a surly dog—well chained up; and not without reason. It is before the days of steam or air brakes, but some inventive genius has equipped the train with a system of levers, wire ropes and pulleys, by which the engine driver can apply the brakes to the wheels of an entire train and bring it to a sudden standstill. Sometimes it was sudden, and passengers vacated their seats involuntarily, or the stove doors would fly open, scattering hot coals and ashes generously.

Just back from College Hill on the right, sheltered by the trees and hedges, was, and still is, the Stearns residence. With its brick windmill tower it was an attractive sight; to which was added the interest of its connection with another railway, the underground railroad of ante-bellum days.

Passing the old station of Medford Steps with its long stairway—this was on the right hand—and under a bridge now removed, and emerging from the railway cut, the most noticeable object was the First Parish Church, with its several storied steeple, one of which