Indian Head River

The Indian Head River is located on the Hanover, Massachusetts, Pembroke, Massachusetts, border and covers about convert|8|acre|m2. It was probably a fishing and travel spot for Wompatuck Indians.

The river runs through the Luddams Ford Park named after a guide, James Luddam, who carried Governor Winthrop across the river to get to Weymouth, Massachusetts. In November 1873, Eugene H. Clapp bought the Old Forge Property from George Curtis and built the Clapp Rubber Factory on the river. The factory is no longer there but the mercury pollution from the factory still clings to the rocks and fish making it unsafe to drink the water and eat the fish. There is a strip of rubber along the river on the Pembroke side which people may bounce on.

The river now has a man made dam and fish ladder. The river is stocked with trout. It also has a small beaver population. For two weeks during the summer, the herring run up stream to spawn. If herring are caught they must be released and no motor boats are allowed. Once a year the Hanover Police hold a free fishing derby for anybody that has a fishing license and a fishing rod.

There is a plaque that is embedded in the wall on a bridge that crosses the river. The plaque says:

"The Bay Path at Luddam's Ford across the Indian Head River the boundary line between _____ Hanover 1632 Gov. Winthrop crossed here on the back of James Luddam, his Guide. Site of Saw Mill 1693 Bardin Iron Works 1704 Curtis Anchor Works 1791 Pembroke Anchor for the Warship Constitution made here in 1797. A Grist Mill 1832 Carding Mill 1839 Clapp Rubber Co. 1873"