Camp's Well
The spring is one of Tipi Mitawa's original landmarks - a small stone-lined well built in 1905 on neighboring land, long used by camp's visitors as a source of fresh water. The water was gathered in pails, a staple of camp for generations of children who walked the path to "get the water." Though the spring was retired from use over a decade ago, it stands as a reminder of early retreat life.
The fieldstones at the bottom of the well are local fieldstones that were hand-placed when the well was built circa 1905. These stones were added to protect the sides from collapsing into the well. The later brick overlay was added by family in the 1980's to support the original stones. Despite these repairs the original footprint and construction of the well remain intact.
For decades the spring was covered by an upside-down cooler used as a makeshift lid. Then in the late 1980's a sturdier wooden cover - pictured here - was built by family to protect the water source.
This paragraph from camp's original deed in 1902 confirms the cabin owner's right to draw water from a certain spring on adjoining land - an arrangement common in rural New England at the time.
In 1905, responding to a letter from Aunt Hatte, the neighboring landowner gave written permission to "dig out that place for water" and "fix it up as you wish." This letter formalized the cabin's right to use the spring, and it still accompanies the deed granting access to the water source.