Neighbor News
Newton Throwback: Kissing Controversy
Canoeing on the Charles River in 1903 could be carefree until the police cracked down on couples
The boat house on the Charles River in Auburndale, once part of Norumbega Park, has a tumultuous history when it comes to love. In 1903, the Metropolitan Park Commission, which controlled the river, issued rules of behavior that forbade drinking, gambling, and “any obscene or indecent act” while at the park. This meant couples could not kiss nor lie down in their canoes. The first couple was arrested on August 15, 1903 and the man was fined $20. In the following two years, 37 couples were arrested. Many stopped going to the park, and boathouse owners reported a 50 percent loss of business. Eventually the controversy subsided and romance returned to the canoes.
