Holbrook, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Holbrook is a town in Norfolk County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. At the 2010 census
, the town population was 10,791.
Holbrook was first settled by Europeans (mostly British colonists) in 1710 as the southern part of Old Braintree, and was officially incorporated on February 29, 1872, the last town created from the former lands of Braintree
. It was formerly known as East Randolph, being divided from Randolph
by track from the Old Colony Railroad
line.
Holbrook's development is typical of suburban Greater Boston. In the 18th and 19th centuries, farming and cottage trades, particularly shoe production, dominated the economy. Slowly, the town evolved into a primarily residential community with many residents commuting to work in Boston proper and the primary employment within the town being in service industries.
As was true of many towns in Massachusetts, its residents served during the United States Civil War. Some members of the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
are buried in Union Cemetery. The impact of the War came not only from the residents' direct participation in the conflict, but was also from the need for production of boots for soldiers. It was during the Civil War that shoe production became a significant component of the town's economic life, and production moved decidedly from the home and into factories.
The story of Holbrook's split from Randolph starts in 1871, when pressure had been building in East Randolph for an independent town. After a little "misunderstanding" (according to Randolph brethren, the Eastern group used rather stronger language) about the placement of a cupola
on top of Stetson Hall as a vent for the gas lighting, the pot boiled over and East Randolph petitioned to be incorporated as a separate town. http://greenfield.fortunecity.com/tower/50/rhs_his.htm#
The town was named for benefactor Elisha N. Holbrook, who provided the town with the funds for the town hall and library upon incorporation.
Holbrook residents again took up arms in the First and Second World Wars. The latter had a great impact on the life of the community. After 1945, demobilization created a building boom and altered the economy and lifestyle across the United States. Holbrook experienced a housing boom and became a largely residential community, in which some service industry provides local jobs, but from which most residents commute to work in Greater Boston.
Holbrook once held the Baird and McGuire chemical plant, which in 1982 was added to the EPA
National Priorities list. Listed as the 14th worst Superfund
site, cleanup work began immediately. As of June 17, 1997, the EPA concluded primary cleanup operations at the site. Efforts included the incineration of 248,000 tons of soil, including sediment dredged from the Cochato River
. Total cost was approximately 133 million dollars, including the construction of a water treatment plant that is still in operation. http://www.epa.gov/region1/pr/1997/pr061797b.html
In February 2009, the Boston Globe listed the Holbrook Town Forest as the choice location in Holbrook.http://www.boston.com/realestate/community/articles/2009/01/11/holbrook/#loop
Holbrook Junior-Senior High School has been named three times as one of the ten most improved schools in Massachusetts on MCAS, the statewide tests taken by all public school students in Massachusetts. Principal Jill Delsignore who served the community of Holbrook for over 30 years as teacher, Holbrook Education Association officer, department head, assistant principal and principal was the administrator when Holbrook was noted in early 2000 on two occasions and Superintendent/Principal Joseph Baeta was the leader when Holbrook was again recognized in 2010.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19.2 km²), of which, 7.3 square miles (19.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.69%) is water.
Holbrook borders Braintree
to the north, Weymouth
to the east, Abington
to the southeast, Brockton
to the southwest, Randolph and Avon
to the west.
, there were 10,785 people, 4,076 households, and 2,853 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,466.7 per square mile (566.5/km²). There were 4,153 housing units at an average density of 564.8 per square mile (218.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.87% White, 3.99% Black or African American
, 0.19% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races
, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.
There were 4,076 households of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples
living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.19.
The age distribution was 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median household income was $54,419, and the median family income was $62,532. Males had a median income of $43,134 versus $35,305 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $23,379. About 4.3% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.
divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.
Principal highways are Routes 37
and 139
, which intersect at the center of the town.
Commuter rail service to South Station
, Boston, is available on the Middleboro line from the Holbrook/Randolph Rail Station located on the Holbrook/Randolph Town line and Union Street (Route 139). The MBTA Red Line is accessible in Braintree and Quincy.
Holbrook is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) which provides fixed bus route service to Quincy Adams, Quincy Center and Braintree Stations. Holbrook is served by the 230 Bus from Quincy Center Station. The MBTA also provides THE RIDE, a paratransit service for the elderly and disabled.
Norwood Memorial Airport
, a Reliever (RL) facility, is easily accessible. It has 2 asphalt runways 4,001'x 150' and 4,007'x 150'. However the majority of Holbrook residents use Logan International Airport
for Air transportation as Norwood is a General Aviation only facility.
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Adams National Historical Park* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area * Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site* John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site-Demographics:...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. At the 2010 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, the town population was 10,791.
History
Before European settlement, the area now known as Holbrook, Massachusetts, like all of New England, had long been inhabited by Algonquian-speaking peoples.http://holbrookhistoricalsociety.org/hhs_history.htmlHolbrook was first settled by Europeans (mostly British colonists) in 1710 as the southern part of Old Braintree, and was officially incorporated on February 29, 1872, the last town created from the former lands of Braintree
Braintree, Massachusetts
The Town of Braintree is a suburban city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Although officially known as a town, Braintree adopted a municipal charter, effective 2008, with a mayor-council form of government and is considered a city under Massachusetts law. The population was 35,744...
. It was formerly known as East Randolph, being divided from Randolph
Randolph, Massachusetts
The Town of Randolph is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 32,112. Randolph adopted a new charter effective January 2010 providing for a council-manager form of government instead of the traditional town meeting...
by track from the Old Colony Railroad
Old Colony Railroad
The Old Colony Railroad was a major railroad system, mainly covering southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. It operated from 1845 to 1893. Old Colony trains ran from Boston to points such as Plymouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Newport, Providence, Fitchburg, Lowell and Cape Cod...
line.
Holbrook's development is typical of suburban Greater Boston. In the 18th and 19th centuries, farming and cottage trades, particularly shoe production, dominated the economy. Slowly, the town evolved into a primarily residential community with many residents commuting to work in Boston proper and the primary employment within the town being in service industries.
As was true of many towns in Massachusetts, its residents served during the United States Civil War. Some members of the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
The 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was one of the first official black units in the United States during the Civil War...
are buried in Union Cemetery. The impact of the War came not only from the residents' direct participation in the conflict, but was also from the need for production of boots for soldiers. It was during the Civil War that shoe production became a significant component of the town's economic life, and production moved decidedly from the home and into factories.
The story of Holbrook's split from Randolph starts in 1871, when pressure had been building in East Randolph for an independent town. After a little "misunderstanding" (according to Randolph brethren, the Eastern group used rather stronger language) about the placement of a cupola
Cupola
In architecture, a cupola is a small, most-often dome-like, structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome....
on top of Stetson Hall as a vent for the gas lighting, the pot boiled over and East Randolph petitioned to be incorporated as a separate town. http://greenfield.fortunecity.com/tower/50/rhs_his.htm#
The town was named for benefactor Elisha N. Holbrook, who provided the town with the funds for the town hall and library upon incorporation.
Holbrook residents again took up arms in the First and Second World Wars. The latter had a great impact on the life of the community. After 1945, demobilization created a building boom and altered the economy and lifestyle across the United States. Holbrook experienced a housing boom and became a largely residential community, in which some service industry provides local jobs, but from which most residents commute to work in Greater Boston.
Holbrook once held the Baird and McGuire chemical plant, which in 1982 was added to the EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
National Priorities list. Listed as the 14th worst Superfund
Superfund
Superfund is the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 , a United States federal law designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances...
site, cleanup work began immediately. As of June 17, 1997, the EPA concluded primary cleanup operations at the site. Efforts included the incineration of 248,000 tons of soil, including sediment dredged from the Cochato River
Cochato River
The Cochato River is a stream rising from Avon, Massachusetts and running several miles north to its confluence with the Monatiquot River in Braintree. It is part of the Weymouth Fore River watershed and empties into Boston Harbor....
. Total cost was approximately 133 million dollars, including the construction of a water treatment plant that is still in operation. http://www.epa.gov/region1/pr/1997/pr061797b.html
In February 2009, the Boston Globe listed the Holbrook Town Forest as the choice location in Holbrook.http://www.boston.com/realestate/community/articles/2009/01/11/holbrook/#loop
Holbrook Junior-Senior High School has been named three times as one of the ten most improved schools in Massachusetts on MCAS, the statewide tests taken by all public school students in Massachusetts. Principal Jill Delsignore who served the community of Holbrook for over 30 years as teacher, Holbrook Education Association officer, department head, assistant principal and principal was the administrator when Holbrook was noted in early 2000 on two occasions and Superintendent/Principal Joseph Baeta was the leader when Holbrook was again recognized in 2010.
Geography
Holbrook is located at 42°8′54"N 71°0′37"W (42.148351, -71.010375).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19.2 km²), of which, 7.3 square miles (19.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.69%) is water.
Holbrook borders Braintree
Braintree, Massachusetts
The Town of Braintree is a suburban city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Although officially known as a town, Braintree adopted a municipal charter, effective 2008, with a mayor-council form of government and is considered a city under Massachusetts law. The population was 35,744...
to the north, Weymouth
Weymouth, Massachusetts
The Town of Weymouth is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, Weymouth had a total population of 53,743. Despite its city status, it is formally known as the Town of Weymouth...
to the east, Abington
Abington, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,605 people, 5,263 households, and 3,747 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,469.1 people per square mile . There were 5,348 housing units at an average density of 538.0 per square mile...
to the southeast, Brockton
Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States; the population was 93,810 in the 2010 Census. Brockton, along with Plymouth, are the county seats of Plymouth County...
to the southwest, Randolph and Avon
Avon, Massachusetts
At the 2000 census, there were 4,443 people, 1,705 households and 1,220 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,014.7 per square mile . There were 1,740 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 93.45% White, 3.74% African American, 0.27% Native...
to the west.
Demographics
At the 2000 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 10,785 people, 4,076 households, and 2,853 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,466.7 per square mile (566.5/km²). There were 4,153 housing units at an average density of 564.8 per square mile (218.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.87% White, 3.99% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.
There were 4,076 households of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.19.
The age distribution was 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median household income was $54,419, and the median family income was $62,532. Males had a median income of $43,134 versus $35,305 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $23,379. About 4.3% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Holbrook is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air and highway facilities. Route 128 and Interstate 495Interstate 495 (Massachusetts)
Interstate 495 is the designation of an Interstate Highway half-beltway in Massachusetts. It was the longest auxiliary Interstate Highway of its kind—measuring 120.74 miles —until 1996, when the PA Route 9 section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was redesignated as Interstate 476, making it about ...
divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.
Principal highways are Routes 37
Massachusetts Route 37
- Route description:Route 37 begins in the north end of the city of Brockton at Route 28. After crossing the Middleboro-Lakeville Line and passing the Montello Station, it enters the town of Holbrook. It winds through the center of that town, where it intersects Route 139...
and 139
Massachusetts Route 139
Route 139 is nominally a west–east state highway in southeastern Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 139 begins in Stoughton Square at the southern junction of the Route 27 and 138 concurrency. The highway heads northeast until the junction with Route 24, at which point the highway heads...
, which intersect at the center of the town.
Commuter rail service to South Station
South Station
South Station, New England's second-largest transportation center , located at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Summer Street in Dewey Square, Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest train station and intercity bus terminal in Greater Boston, a prominent train station in the northeastern...
, Boston, is available on the Middleboro line from the Holbrook/Randolph Rail Station located on the Holbrook/Randolph Town line and Union Street (Route 139). The MBTA Red Line is accessible in Braintree and Quincy.
Holbrook is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) which provides fixed bus route service to Quincy Adams, Quincy Center and Braintree Stations. Holbrook is served by the 230 Bus from Quincy Center Station. The MBTA also provides THE RIDE, a paratransit service for the elderly and disabled.
Norwood Memorial Airport
Norwood Memorial Airport
Norwood Memorial Airport is a public-use airport located two miles east of the central business district of Norwood, a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. This airport is owned by the Town of Norwood...
, a Reliever (RL) facility, is easily accessible. It has 2 asphalt runways 4,001'x 150' and 4,007'x 150'. However the majority of Holbrook residents use Logan International Airport
Logan International Airport
General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport is located in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts . It covers , has six runways, and employs an estimated 16,000 people. It is the 19th busiest airport in the United States.Boston serves as a focus city for JetBlue Airways...
for Air transportation as Norwood is a General Aviation only facility.
Notable natives/residents
- Elihu AdamsElihu AdamsElihu Adams was the brother of United States President John Adams. He was captain of the Braintree Company at the Siege of Boston, and a minuteman who fought on the Concord Green in 1775. Born May 29, 1741 to John Adams and Susanna Boylston and died while serving in the Continental Army March 18,...
- Brother of President John AdamsJohn AdamsJohn Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...
and a Minuteman in the Continental Army - Andrew CardAndrew CardAndrew Hill Card, Jr. is a Republican American politician, former United States Cabinet member, and head of President George W. Bush's White House Iraq Group. Card served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President George H. W. Bush and the White House Chief of Staff under George W. Bush...
- Former White House Chief of StaffWhite House Chief of StaffThe White House Chief of Staff is the highest ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States and a senior aide to the President.The current White House Chief of Staff is Bill Daley.-History:...
under George W. BushGeorge W. BushGeorge Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
(Jan. 20, 2001 - April 14, 2006) - Kevin Robert Hammond - Labor union leader
- George Mason LoveringGeorge Mason LoveringGeorge Mason Lovering was a Union Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for meritorious service during the American Civil War.-Biography:...
- Recipient of the Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... - James Joseph MannJim MannJames Joseph "Jim" Mann is a former professional baseball pitcher.A right-hander, Mann grew up in Holbrook, Massachusetts. During his senior year in 1992, Mann led the town's high school baseball team to an appearance in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament...
- Professional baseball player - Michael Sullivan - Former United States AttorneyUnited States AttorneyUnited States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
for the District of MassachusettsUnited States District Court for the District of MassachusettsThe United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USA. The first court session was held in Boston in 1789. The second term was held in Salem in 1790 and until 1813 court session locations...
.