Haunting Near Virtuous Spring

Mill Circle has been a favorite haunt for 200 years for residents and visitors. A lost poem written in 1861 sparked research that uncovered tales of a mineral spring, an alleged murder, ghosts, a legendary haunted house, malicious destruction of cultural heritage, and even the Titanic disaster, all centering on one neighborhood's social history. Two victims of the infamous maritime disaster were born in Winchendon Springs.Dr. William Russo puts together this collection of history and images, based on his unique view to the historic Mill Circle neighborhood. A biography of Mill Circle emerges from these pages. Included is a summary of the history of the Virtuous Spring that was the center of Mill Circle in Winchendon, Massachusetts. Part ghost story and part murder tale, with a rediscovered 19th century poem at its core, HAUNTING AT VIRTUOUS SPRING looks at an atypical neighborhood from its colonial days to the present time. Wealthy and poor, healthy and sick, all came together on this street for over two and a half centuries.Includes nearly 100 photographs, dozens in color-and many rare pictures, with some never seen by the public.We gratefully acknowledge the Winchendon Historical Society for all its help.