Located seven miles west of Boston, Newton is one of Boston’s original bedroom communities. In a building boom in the 1890s and early 20th century, many of Newton's wetlands were drained and its streams and brooks were re-directed into masonry channels or sent underground. In this collection of photographs, trace evidence of these streams through backyards, parks, or parking lots from their sources to their outfalls in the Charles River. Updated 2026 edition.