Map of Haggett's Pond

A map of Haggett's Pond including the trails (marked in black) and property lines (marked in red).

About Haggett's Pond

For nearly ninety years Haggett’s Pond has been a place for recreation and relaxation for people from all walks of life. Ever since the railroad stopped running in the 1920s, the summer scene at the pond included picnickers, campers, and cottage-goers; in fact, a popular summer attraction was Baily’s Shady Side Grove, which included a restaurant, a lively dance hall, a bowling alley, boating services, and other summertime attractions. In the winter, Haggett’s Pond was alive with ice fishermen, ice skaters, ice hockey players and enchanting horse carriage rides down the old rail trail. Unfortunately, in 1901 Shady Side Grove burned down for unknown reasons, and was never repaired.

Although over the years the style and touristy sense of the pond has somewhat dissolved, whenever one steps onto the quiet trails and views the beautiful shining water, there is a certain timeless magic in the air, a feeling that is full of remembrance and renewal. Haggett’s Pond has remained an intrinsic and exceptional element of Andover’s culture, and will continue to serve as a place of enjoyment and ease for generations to come.

A poem written by Mrs. Isabelle Barnes of Los Angeles, California in 1937

Mrs. Barnes was the sister of Mrs. Grace Holt, and as a child spent much of her time around Haggett’s Pond.

The beauty of Killarney’s lakes,

            Away across the sea,

Have oft been sung but fairer far

            Is Haggett’s Pond to me.

It brings to me fond memories of

            Happy days of yore,

When we rowed upon its rippling waves

            And danced upon its shore.

We picnicked there in days gone by,

            So happy, gay and free,

With our sweethearts; oh, fond memories

            Linger ever more with me.

For I fancy I can see the Kilties

            Coming round the bend,

And the lads’ and lassies’ laughter

            With bagpipes’ music blend.

On the program first, was dancing,

            If the young folks had their way,

The “Reel o’ Tollochgoram” and

            Then a good Strathspey,

The “Highland Schottische” all enjoyed.

            When the piper played the tune

            Of “Weel may the Keel Rowe,” is

            Ended all too soon.

Many of our dear friends have long

            Since gone to rest;

It seems that God has gathered home

            Just those we loved the best;

Though absent from our hearth and home,

            They’ll not forgotten be,

For I sometimes find this heart of mine

            Is nearer them than me.

Let Nations toast their Kings and Queens,

            Their Lords and Ladies fine;

My toast shall be to Haggett’s Pond

And the friends of Auld Lang Syne.

Haggett's Pond Establishment

Moses Haggett came from Ipswich to Andover in 1650, and in 1679 owned land near what was then called Blanchard’s Pond. Haggett acquired the rights for one of the pond’s island in 1720, and later bought up tracts of Blanchard land, at which time he changed the name of the pond from Blanchard’s Pond to Haggett’s Pond.