Then & Now: Oak Knoll Estate

John Greenleaf Whittier has many ties to the state of Massachusetts. He was born in Haverhill but lived out the later years of his life in Danvers.

In 1876, Whittier resided in what was called Oak Knoll, a large estate in the area. Oak Knoll was very famous in its time after being built in 1842. William Lander of Salem, MA built the home and resided in it until 1875, when Edmund Johnson purchased the property. One short year later, Oak Knoll would become Whittier's residence.

Overtime, Whittier began to cherish his home in Danvers, using it as inspiration for much of his writing. Hundreds of poems were written at Oak Knoll in the sixteen years he lived there including, "The Vision of Echard." The house also entertained many of Whittier's literary peers such as Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sarah Orne Jewett, Dorothea Dix, and Paul Hamilton Hayne. Inside the home, Whittier decoarated with pictures of more literary greats such as Longfellow and Emerson.

The large, famous estate Whittier resided in has since been demolished and new housing developments have been put in its place. Oak Knoll was built on Summer Street, where a quiet neighborhood is now located.

The estate was approximately located where Greenleaf Drive is today, a name commemorating the famous poet.