The Sudbury River and its associated wetlands provide a lush source of food that supported Native Americans, European settlers of the 1600’s through the farmers of the twentieth century.

After the last ice age when the glaciers retreated, a river system with its fertile floodplains, swamps and marshes posed a barrier to westward travel all the way from Westborough to Newburyport on the Atlantic coast. The Sudbury River is one long link in that chain. Hence crossing the Sudbury and the rivers connected thereto has been necessary for humans in eastern Massachusetts for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence of native American occupants, historical records of European settlers beginning in the 1600’s, continuing to the present day demonstrate the efforts that have been made to cross the meandering Sudbury River as it winds its way northeasterly through Massachusetts. Wayland’s history, landscape, industry, livelihood and recreation are all influenced by the dynamics of this graceful yet formidable river.

This article highlights the history of two Sudbury River crossings that have been an important part of life in Wayland, both past and present.

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