Nickerson Knoll

Wenham Lake was formed by a glacier during the last Ice Age. A number of springs feed the lake.

When English settlers arrived, in the 1630s, the are was inhabited by the Naumkeag tribe, of the Massachusett nation. Wenepoykin (called Sagamore George by the settlers), was their sachem (sagamore or leader). Wenepoykin’s tribe was under the dominion of the Sagamores of Agawam, according to Treasures of Wenham History: Wenham Lake.

What we call Wenham Lake, the Naumkeag likely called “michigamea,” meaning Great Pond. This large, well-sheltered and easily navigable body of water had an ample stock of fish, and was frequented by wild game.

The English settlers likely relied just as heavily upon the lake for food.

The lake is the Beverly and Salem water supply and fishing has been banned since 1906 to ensure the purity of the water. However, prior to that many well-known people came to fish. Daniel Webster, who fished everywhere that he could, said that he would never forget Wenham Lake.

Nickerson Knoll, which was part of the Dearborn Farm, was originally deeded to the Hamilton Wenham Open Land Trust which managed it for many years. In 2023, the land was transferred to Greenbelt.

Nickerson Knoll is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and numerous bird species. There have been nesting pairs of eagles on the lake. During their migration periods, osprey frequent the lake.

The trail takes hikers through a hardwood and white pine forest.