Thirteen Villages & One Goal... Nonantum

Nonantum is one of the most distinct of Newton's 13 villages, because of its particularly close-knit community, and longstanding traditions. The village even has its own language, "Lake Talk",  which is thought to have evolved from a regional Italian slang.

Nonantum residents call the village "The Lake", because for centuries there was one here.  Known as "Silver Lake", it covered an area where one can now find Watertown Street, Silver Lake Avenue, and Nevada Street. The 1938 hurricane had a big impact on the village  and disturbed the connection between Silver Lake and the Charles River. Later, when Storrow Drive was being built in 1950, the State filled parts of the lake in with debris from the Storrow Drive construction site.  Today, what remains of the lake can be found on a Nevada Street private residence.  It is a very small swampy area in the back of the property.

Silver Lake (undated photo).

Photo, Nonantum Neighborhood Association (NNA).

At one time much of Nonantum housed factories.  On Chapel and Bridge Street there were factories, as well as on the corner of Nevada and Watertown Street.  These buildings have kept their historic character, but have been converted to office suites.  The factories were built before the age of the automobile, and lack adequate parking, adding to the shortage of sufficient parking  throughout the village.

Historically, Nonantum had a Christian and Jewish population.  Original immigrants came from Russia and Ireland, but many came from Italy, and the village is known for its Italian spirit.  

Italian colors. Photo, NNA.

The Italian community has hosted a St. Mary Della Carmen feast annually for many years in July.  In addition the Nonantum Christmas Party Association hosts a Christmas party for special needs children and has a Christmas Light display with a large Santa Claus in the park on the corner of Bridge Street annually. Most recently, the Nonantum Neighborhood Association was formed and has begun hosting an annual village day in June.

St. Mary of Carmen Festival. Photo, NNA.

Santa at Coletti-Magni Park. Photo, NNA.

Nonantum Village Day. Photo, NNA.

Concerns in Nonantum 
With regard to building, there is no end in sight, and Nonantum residents are tired of hearing that nothing can be done.