Cleft Boulder
Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover
A relic of the glacial age is hiding in plain sight right here in Melrose: Cleft Boulder, also known as Chapel Rock.
Located on Sears Avenue, a small sign points the way — but unless you’re looking for it, you might walk right past this fascinating natural feature. Two massive granite boulders stand side by side, separated by a narrow passage. The pieces of granite, were deposited by retreating glaciers thousands of years ago.
From the Melrose Historical Commission
Local historian Goss wrote about this site in his 1902 book:
“A natural curiosity existed on the southern part of this Vinton farm, and now belongs to the estate of Mrs. Benjamin F. Dyer, No. 44 Orris Street. It is an immense ‘Cleft Boulder,’ or natural gateway to the woods beyond… The space between its walls is wide enough for a carriage drive, and it has a large oak tree growing therein. It is an interesting specimen and relic of the glacial age. It has been called by some ‘Chapel Rock’ - why I know not...”
— Goss, p. 128, 1902
I’m not quite sure a carriage could fit through today — but remarkably, a large oak tree is still growing between the granite slabs, just as Goss described more than a century ago.
A quiet, overlooked piece of Melrose history — and definitely worth checking out if you enjoy local landmarks, geology, or hidden gems tucked into our neighborhoods.
