Lawson Common

Scituate, MA 02066, USA

Owned By: Town of Scituate

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Lawson Common is a small grassy park in Scituate with numerous war memorials and benches, plus a beloved seasonal fountain with an elephant theme.

Features

According to the Scituate Historical Society, Thomas Lawson (1857-1925) was one of the wealthiest men in America in the late 19th century. He earned his fortune through stock market investments, with a focus on copper mining. He and his wife Jeannie established a country estate in Scituate, which they named Dreamwold. Ultimately they owned nearly 1,000 acres within the town.

Dreamwold was described by the Scituate Historical Society as “a sprawling family home with acres of gardens. The farm was replete with world-class pedigrees and housing to suit their specific needs. There were different stables for the multiple breeds of horses, a riding academy, and a race track; stock barns; dog kennels; poultry and bantam houses and a dovecote for the show birds; and support buildings such as a blacksmith shop, post office, fire house, gatehouse, and employee housing.” Three elaborate sets of gates marked the entrances to the estate

The estate is now gone. (Lawson’s worth grew to $60 million at one point, but he died penniless and had to divide and sell his estate to pay down debt.) However one set of gates remain (as well as an elaborate water tower). You can view the gates right across the street from Lawson Common, at the corner of Branch Street and Bossy Lane. Read more at the Scituate Historical Society’s website.

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites. 

Trail Description

No trails, but plenty of space to walk around.

Habitats and Wildlife

This large, flat grassy park is dotted with tall maples and other shade trees. Lawson Common is within the watershed of Satuit Brook, which flows to Scituate Harbor.