Holliston, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Holliston is a town in Middlesex County
, Massachusetts
, United States in the Greater Boston
area. The population was 13,547 at the 2010 census. It is part of the region known as MetroWest
. Holliston is the only town in Middlesex County that borders both Norfolk and Worcester counties.
be a Town." The name was taken in honor of Thomas Hollis
, Esq. of London
, England, a benefactor of Harvard College
. The first town meeting was held at the house of Timothy Leland on December 23, 1724, "at which five selectmen and all other required officers were chosen." The town has grown from a community of a few hundred residents setting aside ten pounds per year for public education to a community of 13,801 with an annual budget of over $40 million including more than $23 million for a nationally recognized school system.
In "Holliston" by Images of America and the Holliston Historical Society, it is written: An article in a local newspaper in 1894 heralded the charms of Holliston as the quintessential New England village, which, the story said, sprang into existence solely due to the talent of its people. Perhaps this is so, for there was no great moment in history to mark the founding of this town. Holliston has become a reflection of the accomplishments of the inhabitants of this place for more than three hundred years, and although the town had to admit to no magnitude of greatness to rival Boston, Lexington
, or Concord
, Holliston did define itself as a home to heroes of the commonplace. The feature story of 1894 said:
The town was once the largest producer of shoes in the United States. Although many of the shoe factories have been lost by fires and other problems, the largest company, the Goodwill Shoe Company
, still has remaining empty factories on Water Street, many of which are now used as artists' studios. Competition from overseas factories is largely to blame for the loss of the industry.
Holliston's Mudville neighborhood claims to be the location of the 1888 Ernest Lawrence Thayer poem, "Casey at the Bat
", and maintains an ongoing rivalry with Stockton
, California
, which makes the same claim regarding the poem's setting.
heading into Milford
sits a large rock, some 20 ft (6.1 m) in length, 10 ft (3 m) in width, 6 ft (1.8 m) thick, and weighing easily over 5 tons (4.5 metric tons). The rock appears to be balanced precariously on an outcrop of granite ledge. On November 6, 1789 General George Washington
led his entourage from Boston to New York via this route. He recalled in his diary the road in Holliston that would eventually be honored with his name, ""an indifferent road, diversified by good and bad land, cultivated and in woods, some high barren, others low, wet and piney." Legend has it that, as they came across this "Balancing Rock," they took the opportunity to have some fun and tried their best to tip over the rock. It is said that the General himself, quite amused at the spectacle, added his muscle in an attempt to push the rock off its natural pedestal. Their efforts — and those of many others over the years — were to no avail as Balancing Rock still stands today. Until recently, the rock sat at the edge of a private residence. However, in 2006, construction finished on the Balancing Rock development, a community for "active" adults over the age of 55.
, and Victorian
homes with well-manicured lawns dot the landscape along Washington Street (Massachusetts Route 16
), with Holliston Center and the Town Green wedged in between—a scene reminiscent of the distinctive New England
character.
In Holliston, however, the average commute to work is quite long. On average, people spend 32.25 minutes each day getting to work, which is significantly higher than the national average. Being a small town, Holliston does not have a public transit system used by locals to get to and from work.
, the town has a total area of 19 square miles (49.2 km²), of which, 18.7 square miles (48.4 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it is water. Water covers 1.73% of the town's total area. The Charles River
passes near the southern region of town.
It is located 24.6 mi (39.6 km) west of Boston and is within short driving distance of Interstate 495
and the Massachusetts Turnpike
(part of Interstate 90
). Massachusetts Route 16
and Massachusetts Route 126 pass through the town.
of 2000, there were 13,801 people, 4,795 households, and 3,842 families residing in the town. The population density
was 737.8 people per square mile (284.8/km²). There were 4,868 housing units at an average density of 260.2 per square mile (100.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.7% White, 0.9% African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.3% from other races
, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population. Ancestries of Holliston residents are reported to be Irish (29.4%), Italian (18.3%), English (17.8%), German (9.7%), French (5.6%), and Polish (5.6%).
There were 4,795 households out of which 44.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were married couples
living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $78.092, and the median income for a family was $84,878. Males had a median income of $48,473 versus $36,405 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $32,116. As of the census of 2000, about 1.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
In 2009, 79% of Holliston residents age 25 and over held bachelor's degrees or higher and 35.8% held graduate or professional degrees.
form of government, in which registered voters act as the town's legislature. The town's day-to-day affairs are overseen by an elected Board of Selectmen
with a Town Administrator.
.
Middlesex County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge* Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge* Longfellow National Historic Site* Lowell National Historical Park* Minute Man National Historical Park* Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge...
, 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 in the Greater Boston
Greater Boston
Greater Boston is the area of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts surrounding the city of Boston. Due to ambiguity in usage, the size of the area referred to can be anywhere between that of the metropolitan statistical area of Boston and that of the city's combined statistical area which includes...
area. The population was 13,547 at the 2010 census. It is part of the region known as MetroWest
MetroWest
MetroWest is a cluster of cities and towns lying west of Boston and east of Worcester, in the US state of Massachusetts. The name was coined in the 1980s by a local newspaper....
. Holliston is the only town in Middlesex County that borders both Norfolk and Worcester counties.
History
Holliston was first settled in 1659 by Massachusetts Bay Puritans. The town of Holliston was incorporated on December 3, 1724 by virtue of approval by the General Court petition requesting that "the western part of SherbornSherborn, Massachusetts
Sherborn is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is in area code 508 and has the ZIP code 01770. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the town population was 4,119. The assessed value of the town for the fiscal year 2005 is $1,008,146,994....
be a Town." The name was taken in honor of Thomas Hollis
Thomas Hollis
Thomas Hollis was an English political philosopher and author.-Early life:Hollis was educated at Adams Grammar School until the age 10, and then in St. Albans until 15, before learning French, Dutch and accountancy in Amsterdam. After the death of his father in 1735, his guardian was a John...
, Esq. of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England, a benefactor of Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
. The first town meeting was held at the house of Timothy Leland on December 23, 1724, "at which five selectmen and all other required officers were chosen." The town has grown from a community of a few hundred residents setting aside ten pounds per year for public education to a community of 13,801 with an annual budget of over $40 million including more than $23 million for a nationally recognized school system.
In "Holliston" by Images of America and the Holliston Historical Society, it is written: An article in a local newspaper in 1894 heralded the charms of Holliston as the quintessential New England village, which, the story said, sprang into existence solely due to the talent of its people. Perhaps this is so, for there was no great moment in history to mark the founding of this town. Holliston has become a reflection of the accomplishments of the inhabitants of this place for more than three hundred years, and although the town had to admit to no magnitude of greatness to rival Boston, Lexington
Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,399 at the 2010 census. This town is famous for being the site of the first shot of the American Revolution, in the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.- History :...
, or Concord
Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 17,668. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature.-History:...
, Holliston did define itself as a home to heroes of the commonplace. The feature story of 1894 said:
"Many cities have sprung into existence because of their advantageous situations. The prosperity of Holliston is solely due to the genius of its people. A visit to such places stirs the blood, quickens the pulse and produces an enthusiastic desire to have a share in the developing good times. Massachusetts may be Whittier's land, and the region from Marblehead to Amesbury may be full of legendary and spectral armies, and witchdom, and Buddha knows what, but the imaginative and the poetical must submit to the rights of the commonplace. The commonplace is honeycombed with the uncommon heroisms of the patient, everyday existence that make up the life of such plucky towns as Holliston. These are the things the average man is most interested in. Average life is but a portfolio of views of struggles with the commonplaces of everyday existence" (Holliston 1997).
The town was once the largest producer of shoes in the United States. Although many of the shoe factories have been lost by fires and other problems, the largest company, the Goodwill Shoe Company
Goodwill Shoe Company
Goodwill Shoe Company also known as Arthur A. Williams Shoes specialized in leather shoes and steel toe "Safety First" boots. Among on of the earlier companies to produce such products at the time, it was one of the largest companies in manufacturing industrial boots by the 1930s...
, still has remaining empty factories on Water Street, many of which are now used as artists' studios. Competition from overseas factories is largely to blame for the loss of the industry.
Holliston's Mudville neighborhood claims to be the location of the 1888 Ernest Lawrence Thayer poem, "Casey at the Bat
Casey at the Bat
"Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888" is a baseball poem written in 1888 by Ernest Thayer. First published in The San Francisco Examiner on June 3, 1888, it was later popularized by DeWolf Hopper in many vaudeville performances.The poem was originally published...
", and maintains an ongoing rivalry with Stockton
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, which makes the same claim regarding the poem's setting.
The Legend of Balancing Rock
On the north side of Route 16Massachusetts Route 16
Route 16 is an east–west state highway in Massachusetts. It begins in the west at an intersection with Route 12 and Route 193 in Webster, just north of the Connecticut state border...
heading into Milford
Milford, Massachusetts
Milford is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It had a population of 27,999 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Milford, constituting the center of the town, please see the article Milford ,...
sits a large rock, some 20 ft (6.1 m) in length, 10 ft (3 m) in width, 6 ft (1.8 m) thick, and weighing easily over 5 tons (4.5 metric tons). The rock appears to be balanced precariously on an outcrop of granite ledge. On November 6, 1789 General George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
led his entourage from Boston to New York via this route. He recalled in his diary the road in Holliston that would eventually be honored with his name, ""an indifferent road, diversified by good and bad land, cultivated and in woods, some high barren, others low, wet and piney." Legend has it that, as they came across this "Balancing Rock," they took the opportunity to have some fun and tried their best to tip over the rock. It is said that the General himself, quite amused at the spectacle, added his muscle in an attempt to push the rock off its natural pedestal. Their efforts — and those of many others over the years — were to no avail as Balancing Rock still stands today. Until recently, the rock sat at the edge of a private residence. However, in 2006, construction finished on the Balancing Rock development, a community for "active" adults over the age of 55.
Holliston today
Once populated by factories and farms up until the latter part of the nineteenth century, Holliston has now transformed itself into a bedroom community for Boston and the Route 128 technology belt. Holliston is known for its quaint Town Center with its Fiske's General Store, the Superette, numerous antique shops and boutiques, public library, town hall, and white-steepled churches. A surplus of white antique colonial, Greek revivalGreek Revival architecture
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
, and Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
homes with well-manicured lawns dot the landscape along Washington Street (Massachusetts Route 16
Massachusetts Route 16
Route 16 is an east–west state highway in Massachusetts. It begins in the west at an intersection with Route 12 and Route 193 in Webster, just north of the Connecticut state border...
), with Holliston Center and the Town Green wedged in between—a scene reminiscent of the distinctive New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
character.
In Holliston, however, the average commute to work is quite long. On average, people spend 32.25 minutes each day getting to work, which is significantly higher than the national average. Being a small town, Holliston does not have a public transit system used by locals to get to and from work.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 19 square miles (49.2 km²), of which, 18.7 square miles (48.4 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it is water. Water covers 1.73% of the town's total area. The Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
passes near the southern region of town.
It is located 24.6 mi (39.6 km) west of Boston and is within short driving distance of Interstate 495
Interstate 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 ...
and the Massachusetts Turnpike
Massachusetts Turnpike
The Massachusetts Turnpike is the easternmost stretch of Interstate 90. The Turnpike begins at the western border of Massachusetts in West Stockbridge connecting with the Berkshire Connector portion of the New York State Thruway...
(part of Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
). Massachusetts Route 16
Massachusetts Route 16
Route 16 is an east–west state highway in Massachusetts. It begins in the west at an intersection with Route 12 and Route 193 in Webster, just north of the Connecticut state border...
and Massachusetts Route 126 pass through the town.
Adjacent towns
Holliston is located in eastern Massachusetts, bordered by:- SherbornSherborn, MassachusettsSherborn is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is in area code 508 and has the ZIP code 01770. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the town population was 4,119. The assessed value of the town for the fiscal year 2005 is $1,008,146,994....
on the east - MillisMillis, MassachusettsMillis is a town in Norfolk County in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is a small town with a population of 7,891 according to the 2010 census. The town is approximately southwest of downtown Boston and is bordered by Norfolk, Sherborn, Holliston, Medfield, and Medway...
on the south - MedwayMedway, MassachusettsMedway is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. According to the 2010 Census, the town had a population of 12,752.-History:Medway was first settled in 1657 and was officially incorporated in 1713. At that time, Medway began as a farming community of two hundred thirty-three...
on the south - MilfordMilford, MassachusettsMilford is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It had a population of 27,999 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Milford, constituting the center of the town, please see the article Milford ,...
on the west - HopkintonHopkinton, MassachusettsHopkinton is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, just under 30 miles west and south of Boston. The town is best known as the starting point of the Boston Marathon, held annually on Patriots' Day in April, and as the home of computer storage firm EMC Corporation.For geographic and demographic...
on the west - AshlandAshland, MassachusettsAshland is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the MetroWest region. The population was 16,593 at the 2010 census.-History:...
on the north
Demographics
As of the 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...
of 2000, there were 13,801 people, 4,795 households, and 3,842 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 737.8 people per square mile (284.8/km²). There were 4,868 housing units at an average density of 260.2 per square mile (100.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.7% White, 0.9% African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.3% 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 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population. Ancestries of Holliston residents are reported to be Irish (29.4%), Italian (18.3%), English (17.8%), German (9.7%), French (5.6%), and Polish (5.6%).
There were 4,795 households out of which 44.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% 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, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $78.092, and the median income for a family was $84,878. Males had a median income of $48,473 versus $36,405 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 $32,116. As of the census of 2000, about 1.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
In 2009, 79% of Holliston residents age 25 and over held bachelor's degrees or higher and 35.8% held graduate or professional degrees.
Government
Holliston retains its original open town meetingOpen town meeting
An open town meeting is a form of town meeting in which all registered voters of a town may vote . This form of government is typical of smaller municipalities in the New England region of the United States....
form of government, in which registered voters act as the town's legislature. The town's day-to-day affairs are overseen by an elected Board of Selectmen
Board of selectmen
The board of selectmen is commonly the executive arm of the government of New England towns in the United States. The board typically consists of three or five members, with or without staggered terms.-History:...
with a Town Administrator.
Education
The Town of Holliston has a public school system which serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district include two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Public schools include: Sam Placentino Elementary School, Fred W. Miller Elementary School, Robert H. Adams Middle School, and Holliston High SchoolHolliston High School
Holliston High School is the public secondary school serving Holliston, Massachusetts. As of 2010, the school enrolled 854 students. The current principal is Michael Cournoyer. Holliston has some of the brightest students and faculty in the state of Massachusetts...
.
Historical districts
- Mudville
- Brentwood
- Braggville
- Kampersal Field
- Metcalf
- East Holliston
- Thomas Hollis Historical District
- Holliston Center
- Phipps Hill
- Gooch's Corner
- "The Queens"
- Strawberry Hill
- West End
- Lakeside
Points of interest
- Apollo 14 Moon Tree, at the Holliston Police Department.
- Bogastow Brook Viaduct also known as the Arch Bridge off Woodland Street, named as one of the 1,000 places to visit in Massachusetts
- Bullard Farm, the preserved homestead of the Bullard family, some of the first settlers of the town. Established in 1652, it served as the family's farm until 1916.
- Casey's Crossing The town's first train depot, built in the 1840s. Presently a family restaurant and pub.
- Fatima Shrine, a restful haven in a peaceful rustic setting, Fatima Shrine is an oasis for prayer, reflection, and meditation. The rosary walk at Fatima Shrine is believed to be the world's largest rosary.
- Fiske's General Store, founded in 1863, is a town gem. Popular with residents, it's known for its catchphrase, "'most everything".
- First Congregational Church of Holliston, built site of Holliston's original meeting house, this church is the holding institution of the King James Bible donated by Thomas Hollis in 1724
- Highland Farm, offering apple-picking in a picturesque orchard in the town's rolling hills.
- Holliston Grill, offering great breakfast and lunches in beautiful downtown Holliston.
- Holliston Mill Artist Studios, once the former factory of the Goodwill Shoe CompanyGoodwill Shoe CompanyGoodwill Shoe Company also known as Arthur A. Williams Shoes specialized in leather shoes and steel toe "Safety First" boots. Among on of the earlier companies to produce such products at the time, it was one of the largest companies in manufacturing industrial boots by the 1930s...
, the Holliston Mill is open around twice a year for open house expositions of the different artist occupants and their work. - Lake Winthrop is nearly 1 miles (1.6 km) in diameter and covers approximately 140 acres (56.7 ha). It was originally called "Dean Winthrop's Pond." and used as a boundary marker for his land. Dean was the son of John Winthrop. The town history states that the NipmuckNipmuckThe Nipmuc are a group of Algonquian Indians native to Worcester County, Massachusetts, some parts of Northeastern CT, and NW RI, and the Northwestern and Western parts of Middlesex County, Massachusetts.-Name:...
tribe, a clan of the AlgonquianAlgonquian peoplesThe Algonquian are one of the most populous and widespread North American native language groups, with tribes originally numbering in the hundreds. Today hundreds of thousands of individuals identify with various Algonquian peoples...
Indians, lived on the lake's southwestern shore in the village of Musquit near present-day Lake Grove Cemetery. The lake was then called Wennakeening, meaning “smile of the great spirit” or “pleasant smile”. Today, Lake Winthrop offers fishing, kayaking, and swimming. - Outpost Farm
- Upper Charles River Trail, a scenic, recreational path for bicycling, walking, cross-country skiing, roller-blading, and other non-motorized uses. When completed, the 20 miles (32.2 km) trail will connect Holliston to Ashland, Hopkinton, Milford, and Sherborn.
- Winter Street one of the longest and oldest roads in Holliston. The street begins at the height of the Thomas Hollis Historic District and stretches all the way to Ashland Street. Many of the oldest houses in Holliston can be found on Winter Street.
Golf courses
- Pinecrest Golf Club, 18-hole golf course offering a challenge to players of all levels.
Parks
- Goodwill Park, playgrounds for children, tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields
- Patoma Park, Stoddard Park's sister park offers woodland trails for hiking and recreational activities
- Pleasure Point, located on Lake Winthrop with a beach, picnic area, playground, and boat launch.
- Stoddard Park, located on Lake Winthrop with a beach, picnic area, and recreational area
Annual events
Annual events include the Memorial Day Parade, Celebrate Holliston, the Holiday Stroll, summer concerts at the Town Hall, and an abundance of craft fairs and autumn festivals.Local organizations
- Holliston Business Association
- Holliston Cable Access TV-8 (Public-access televisionPublic-access televisionPublic-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
) - Holliston Christian Preschool
- Holliston Conservation Associates
- Holliston Education Foundation
- Holliston Garden Club
- Holliston Historical Society
- Holliston Lions Club
- Holliston Newcomers Club
- Holliston Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
- Holliston Pantry Shelf
- Holliston Referral Hub
- Holliston Sportsman Association
- Mudville Base Ball Club (Vintage Base Ball Association that plays by the Massachusetts Rules of 1858)
- Washington Street Players Theatrical group
- WHHBWHHBWHHB is a radio station broadcasting a Variety format. Licensed to Holliston, Massachusetts, USA, the station serves the Boston area. The station is currently owned by Holliston High School. Music from various genres is played during the shows, such as metal, rock, hip-hop, classic rock, and...
FM 99.9 - Mount Hollis Lodge - A.F & A.M
- Holliston Youth Lacrosse
Notable residents
- Arthur Judson BrownArthur Judson BrownArthur Judson Brown was an influential American clergyman, missionary and prolific author.Brown was born in Holliston, Massachusetts, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1883...
, clergyman, missionary, author - Joe Fish (baseball player), Holliston's first professional baseball player, signed by the Boston Red Sox
- Adam GreenAdam Green (filmmaker)- Background :Adam Green was raised in Holliston, Massachusetts and after finishing high school he graduated from Hofstra University in New York.Green’s very first job out of college was producing and directing local commercials for cable in the Boston area....
, actor, writer and director for "Frozen" and other films - Mike GrierMike GrierMichael James Grier is a retired professional ice hockey winger who most recently played for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League . He has also played professionally for the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, and San Jose Sharks...
, forward for Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitols, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose SharksSan Jose SharksThe San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
hockey team - Hannibal HamlinHannibal HamlinHannibal Hamlin was the 15th Vice President of the United States , serving under President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War...
, U.S. Vice presidentVice presidentA vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
under Abraham LincolnAbraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
(1861–1865) occasionally visited his cousin in Holliston when returning from Washington to his home in Maine - Timothy Kenney, signed by the Boston Americans (later known as the Boston Red Sox) in 1906, released after spring training. He went on to a long minor league career.
- John KrauseJohn KrauseJohn Krause is an American-born Puerto Rican international footballer who currently plays for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League.-College and amateur:...
, professional soccer player - Paul LoscoccoPaul LoscoccoPaul J.P. Loscocco is a former Massachusetts Republican State Representative and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in the 2010 Massachusetts gubernatorial election....
, former Republican state representative, who aborted a run for Lt. Governor as an independent with gubernatorial candidate and State Treasurer Tim Cahill - Michael Mantenuto, actor (Jack O'Callahan in Miracle)
- Greg MauldinGreg MauldinGreg Mauldin is an American professional ice hockey forward, currently playing for the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League under contract to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
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Further reading
- Bragg, Ernest. The Shoe Industry of Holliston and Milford. 1st ed. Boston, 1950.
- 1871 Atlas of Massachusetts. by Wall & Gray. Map of Massachusetts. Map of Middlesex County.
- History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Volume 1 (A-H), Volume 2 (L-W) compiled by Samuel Adams Drake, published 1879-1880. 572 and 505 pages. Holliston article by Rev. George F. Walker, pages 470-483.
