Lake Washacum (1800’s)

Today, many people enjoy taking canoes and kayaks out onto Lake Washacum. In the late 1800s, there was a steamboat which took people around the lake on a scenic tour. The tour cost 5 cents per person, a reasonable price for a quick trip on a boat. As seen the picture below, the trips were popular and well-attended by families. Other similar steamboat rides were available around this time on moderately sized bodies of water like Lake Quinsigamond. Though not in West Boylston, Lake Washacum continues to attract people from all around Central Massachusetts.