Stoughton, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Stoughton (official name: Town of Stoughton) is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 26,962 at the 2010 census. The town is located approximately 15 miles (24.1 km) from Boston
, 25 miles (40.2 km) from Providence
, and 35 miles (56.3 km) from Cape Cod
.
, who was the first chief justice
of Colonial Courts and the notorious chief justice of the Salem Witch Trials
.
The Suffolk Resolves
were written in Old Stoughton (current day Milton, Massachusetts
) at Doty's Tavern. They are thought to be the basis for the Declaration of Independence
. The meeting included Rev. Samuel Dunbar and Paul Revere
, while the site was chosen by Samuel Adams
and Dr. Joseph Warren
.
Originally an agricultural community, Stoughton developed into an important shoemaking
center. In 1874, the Stoughton Public Library was established.
The oldest choral society in the United States is located in Stoughton. Founded in 1786 as The Stoughton Musical Society
, it is now known as the Old Stoughton Musical Society. In 1893, this musical society distinguished itself by performing several concerts at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, heard by an audience of several thousand people.
The citizens of Stoughton pride themselves on their social activism. The Save Our Stoughton campaign attracted national attention in the 1980s for their work picketing a local adult book store. Most recently, Stoughton became the first municipality in Massachusetts to declare itself a "No Place for Hate" town.
Stoughton's train station
was built in 1888, and is the only one in Massachusetts to house a clock tower. The station is unique in many ways as it was built out of stones from a West Street quarry that belonged to Stoughton resident Myron Gilbert. In 1974 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Over a million dollars was raised to restore the station to its original luster in time for the 100th anniversary. It is the only train station in the country that still has the look and charm of a 19th century train station.. The station currently serves as the terminus of the Stoughton Branch of MBTA
's Providence/Stoughton Line
.
On August 15, 1908, Stoughton was hit by a moderate earthquake. Although the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
was affected, the shockwaves did not reach to Boston
.
, the town has a total area of 16.3 square miles (42.2 km²), of which 16 square miles (41.4 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (2.41%) is water. Stoughton borders Canton
to the north, Randolph
to the northeast, Avon
to the east, Brockton
to the southeast, Easton
to the south, and Sharon
to the west.
Spring in Stoughton can be warm, with temperatures as high as the 90s when winds are offshore, although it is just as possible for a day in late May to remain in the lower 40s because of cool ocean waters. The hottest month is July, with an average high of 82 °F (28 °C) and an average low of 66 °F (18 °C), with conditions usually humid. The coldest month is January, with an average high of 36 °F (2 °C) and an average low of 22 °F (−6 °C). Periods exceeding 90 °F (32 °C) in summer and below 10 °F (−12 °C) in winter are not uncommon but are rarely prolonged. The record high temperature is 104 °F (40 °C), recorded on July 4, 1911. The record low temperature is −18 °F (−28 °C), recorded on February 9, 1934. February in Stoughton has seen 70 °F (21 °C) only once in recorded history, on February 24, 1985. The highest temperature recorded in March was 89 °F (31 °C), on March 31, 1998.
Stoughton's coastal location on the North Atlantic, although it moderates temperatures, also makes the town very prone to Nor'easter weather systems that can produce much snow and rain. The town averages about 43 in (108 cm) of precipitation a year, with 40.9 in (104 cm) of snowfall a year. Snowfall increases dramatically as one goes inland away from the town (especially north and west of the town)—away from the warming influence of the ocean. Most snowfall occurs from December through March. There is usually little or no snow in April and November, and snow is rare in May and October. Fog is prevalent, particularly in spring and early summer, and the occasional tropical storm or hurricane can threaten the region, especially in early autumn. Due to its situation near the North Atlantic, the town is often subject to sea breezes, especially in the late spring, when water temperatures are still quite cold and temperatures at the coast can be ten to twenty degrees colder than a few miles inland, sometimes dropping by that amount near midday.
of 2000, there were 27,149 people, 10,254 households, and 7,270 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,692.6 people per square mile (653.5/km²). There were 10,488 housing units at an average density of 653.9 per square mile (252.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.46% White, 5.70% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.14% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races
, and 2.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 10,254 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples
living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $67,838, and the median income for a family was $79,942. Males had a median income of $54,853 versus $41,971 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $25,480. About 3.1% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
Stoughton has a history of manufacturing and an emerging cluster of regional retail, as well as a substantial base of land zoned for commercial and industrial purposes. The major commercial and industrial areas in town are located adjacent to Route 24 and along routes 138, 139 and 27, but smaller areas are interspersed with residential zones due to the community’s industrial past. The town has significant protected open space resources, including the Bird Street Sanctuary, water department lands, recreational fields and a municipal golf course. Additional privately owned, but not protected, undeveloped lands are an important
factor in the character of the community. Stoughton has good access to the regional roadway network, being served by several state routes and 3 interchanges on Route 24. Stoughton also has access to regional transit, being served by bus from Brockton and MBTA Commuter rail at the station in downtown Stoughton.
Stoughton is one of the region’s most affordable, accessible towns, but future housing is likely to be less diverse, less affordable, and farther from transit.
As baby boomers age, demand for smaller-scale, lower maintenance empty-nester and senior housing will grow. Although 9.89% of the town’s housing is subsidized, there is still a high need for affordable housing, indicated by large numbers of low-to-moderate income people, high rent burdens, and long waiting lists for elderly and family housing. Middle-income households also face barriers to homeownership as costs escalate.
has an award-winning music program, as well as an award-winning newspaper, The SHS Knight and well-known jazz and marching bands.
The High School also has a myriad of extra curricular activities, including a growing Student Council, a nationally recognized DECA
chapter, a town-supported SADD chapter, and a Gay-Straight Alliance organization.
The High School is also boasting a record high number of college-bound students.
In Boston Magazine
's annual top public school district list, Stoughton was ranked in the top 25%.
commuter rail line that runs to South Station
in Boston
via the Providence/Stoughton Line
. The Brockton Area Transit Authority
(BAT) provides local bus service.
. Other Stoughton attractions include local drama groups, summer-time outdoor concerts, and annual parades to honor veterans. Every year on the 4th of July, Stoughton has a 4 July parade. Stoughton also has a Veterans Day parade every year on Veterans Day.
Stoughton has a Christmas parade on December 18. The parade started in 1986 and has been going on for 22 years. The town of Stoughton organizes swimming programs at the Ames Long Pond and provides basketball courts and horseshoe pits at the local parks. The town of Stoughton also offers barbecue spots and picnic areas.
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:...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 26,962 at the 2010 census. The town is located approximately 15 miles (24.1 km) from Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, 25 miles (40.2 km) from Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, and 35 miles (56.3 km) from Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
.
History
Stoughton was first settled in 1713 and was officially incorporated in 1726. It was named after William StoughtonWilliam Stoughton (Massachusetts)
William Stoughton was a colonial magistrate and admininstrator in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. He was in charge of what have come to be known as the Salem Witch Trials, first as the Chief Justice of the Special Court of Oyer and Terminer in 1692, and then as the Chief Justice of the...
, who was the first chief justice
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
of Colonial Courts and the notorious chief justice of the Salem Witch Trials
Salem witch trials
The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693...
.
The Suffolk Resolves
Suffolk Resolves
The Suffolk Resolves was a declaration made on September 9, 1774 by the leaders of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, of which Boston is the major city. The convention that adopted them first met at the Woodward Tavern in Dedham, which is today the site of the Norfolk County Courthouse...
were written in Old Stoughton (current day Milton, Massachusetts
Milton, Massachusetts
Milton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States and part of the Greater Boston area. The population was 27,003 at the 2010 census. Milton is the birthplace of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and architect Buckminster Fuller. Milton also has the highest percentage of...
) at Doty's Tavern. They are thought to be the basis for the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
. The meeting included Rev. Samuel Dunbar and Paul Revere
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
, while the site was chosen by Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams was an American statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. As a politician in colonial Massachusetts, Adams was a leader of the movement that became the American Revolution, and was one of the architects of the principles of American...
and Dr. Joseph Warren
Joseph Warren
Dr. Joseph Warren was an American doctor who played a leading role in American Patriot organizations in Boston in early days of the American Revolution, eventually serving as president of the revolutionary Massachusetts Provincial Congress...
.
Originally an agricultural community, Stoughton developed into an important shoemaking
Shoemaking
Shoemaking is the process of making footwear. Originally, shoes were made one at a time by hand. Traditional handicraft shoemaking has now been largely superseded in volume of shoes produced by industrial mass production of footwear, but not necessarily in quality, attention to detail, or...
center. In 1874, the Stoughton Public Library was established.
The oldest choral society in the United States is located in Stoughton. Founded in 1786 as The Stoughton Musical Society
Stoughton Musical Society
Organized in 1786, this is currently America's oldest choral society. Over the past two centuries it has had many distinguished accomplishments. In 1908, when incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the name was changed to Old Stoughton Musical Society...
, it is now known as the Old Stoughton Musical Society. In 1893, this musical society distinguished itself by performing several concerts at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, heard by an audience of several thousand people.
The citizens of Stoughton pride themselves on their social activism. The Save Our Stoughton campaign attracted national attention in the 1980s for their work picketing a local adult book store. Most recently, Stoughton became the first municipality in Massachusetts to declare itself a "No Place for Hate" town.
Stoughton's train station
Stoughton (MBTA station)
Stoughton is a railroad station on the MBTA Commuter Rail's Providence/Stoughton Line located in Stoughton, Massachusetts. It is the terminus of the Stoughton branch of the Providence/Stoughton Line....
was built in 1888, and is the only one in Massachusetts to house a clock tower. The station is unique in many ways as it was built out of stones from a West Street quarry that belonged to Stoughton resident Myron Gilbert. In 1974 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Over a million dollars was raised to restore the station to its original luster in time for the 100th anniversary. It is the only train station in the country that still has the look and charm of a 19th century train station.. The station currently serves as the terminus of the Stoughton Branch of MBTA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, often referred to as the MBTA or simply The T, is the public operator of most bus, subway, commuter rail and ferry systems in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. Officially a "body politic and corporate, and a political subdivision" of the...
's Providence/Stoughton Line
Providence/Stoughton Line
The Providence/Stoughton Line is a line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system running southwest from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The main line was originally built by the Boston and Providence Rail Road, and now carries service between Boston and T. F. Green Airport, Rhode Island...
.
On August 15, 1908, Stoughton was hit by a moderate earthquake. Although the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
The Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory, also known as Great Blue Hill Weather Observatory, Blue Hill Weather Observatory, or simply the Blue Hill Observatory, in Milton, Massachusetts is the foremost structure associated with the history of weather observations in the United States...
was affected, the shockwaves did not reach to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
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 16.3 square miles (42.2 km²), of which 16 square miles (41.4 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (2.41%) is water. Stoughton borders Canton
Canton, Massachusetts
Canton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,561 at the 2010 census. Canton is part of Greater Boston, about 15 miles southwest of downtown Boston.- History :...
to the north, 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...
to the northeast, 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 east, 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 southeast, Easton
Easton, Massachusetts
Easton is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 23,112 at the 2010 census.Easton is governed by an elected committee of selectmen and a town administrator.- History :...
to the south, and Sharon
Sharon, Massachusetts
Sharon is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 17,612 at the 2010 census. Sharon is part of Greater Boston, about 17 miles southwest of downtown Boston....
to the west.
Climate
Stoughton has what may be described as something between a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate, such as is very common in coastal southern New England. Summers are typically warm and humid, while winters are cold, windy, and snowy. Prevailing wind patterns that blow offshore affect Stoughton, minimizing the influence of the Atlantic Ocean.Spring in Stoughton can be warm, with temperatures as high as the 90s when winds are offshore, although it is just as possible for a day in late May to remain in the lower 40s because of cool ocean waters. The hottest month is July, with an average high of 82 °F (28 °C) and an average low of 66 °F (18 °C), with conditions usually humid. The coldest month is January, with an average high of 36 °F (2 °C) and an average low of 22 °F (−6 °C). Periods exceeding 90 °F (32 °C) in summer and below 10 °F (−12 °C) in winter are not uncommon but are rarely prolonged. The record high temperature is 104 °F (40 °C), recorded on July 4, 1911. The record low temperature is −18 °F (−28 °C), recorded on February 9, 1934. February in Stoughton has seen 70 °F (21 °C) only once in recorded history, on February 24, 1985. The highest temperature recorded in March was 89 °F (31 °C), on March 31, 1998.
Stoughton's coastal location on the North Atlantic, although it moderates temperatures, also makes the town very prone to Nor'easter weather systems that can produce much snow and rain. The town averages about 43 in (108 cm) of precipitation a year, with 40.9 in (104 cm) of snowfall a year. Snowfall increases dramatically as one goes inland away from the town (especially north and west of the town)—away from the warming influence of the ocean. Most snowfall occurs from December through March. There is usually little or no snow in April and November, and snow is rare in May and October. Fog is prevalent, particularly in spring and early summer, and the occasional tropical storm or hurricane can threaten the region, especially in early autumn. Due to its situation near the North Atlantic, the town is often subject to sea breezes, especially in the late spring, when water temperatures are still quite cold and temperatures at the coast can be ten to twenty degrees colder than a few miles inland, sometimes dropping by that amount near midday.
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 27,149 people, 10,254 households, and 7,270 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 1,692.6 people per square mile (653.5/km²). There were 10,488 housing units at an average density of 653.9 per square mile (252.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.46% White, 5.70% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.14% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.27% 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 2.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 10,254 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% 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, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $67,838, and the median income for a family was $79,942. Males had a median income of $54,853 versus $41,971 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 $25,480. About 3.1% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
Stoughton has a history of manufacturing and an emerging cluster of regional retail, as well as a substantial base of land zoned for commercial and industrial purposes. The major commercial and industrial areas in town are located adjacent to Route 24 and along routes 138, 139 and 27, but smaller areas are interspersed with residential zones due to the community’s industrial past. The town has significant protected open space resources, including the Bird Street Sanctuary, water department lands, recreational fields and a municipal golf course. Additional privately owned, but not protected, undeveloped lands are an important
factor in the character of the community. Stoughton has good access to the regional roadway network, being served by several state routes and 3 interchanges on Route 24. Stoughton also has access to regional transit, being served by bus from Brockton and MBTA Commuter rail at the station in downtown Stoughton.
Stoughton is one of the region’s most affordable, accessible towns, but future housing is likely to be less diverse, less affordable, and farther from transit.
As baby boomers age, demand for smaller-scale, lower maintenance empty-nester and senior housing will grow. Although 9.89% of the town’s housing is subsidized, there is still a high need for affordable housing, indicated by large numbers of low-to-moderate income people, high rent burdens, and long waiting lists for elderly and family housing. Middle-income households also face barriers to homeownership as costs escalate.
Government
The Town is governed by a Selectmen-Manager plan with a representative Town meeting. The Board of Selectmen of the town consists of five members, all of whom are elected at large for a term of three years. The Selectmen appoint a Town Manager, who is the chief administrative officer in the executive branch of town government, and he carries out the policies and plans set forth by the Selectmen. Steve Anastos is the current Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. The Stoughton Fire Department provides fire suppression, rescue and EMS services to Stoughton. The Freeman Street Fire Station was opened on June 13, 1927 and has received updates throughout the years and is still open today. The Central Fire Station opened in 2001 although it currently operates out of the Central Fire Station due to mold problems.Crime
The number of violent crimes recorded by the FBI in 2003 was 116. The number of murders and homicides was 0. The violent crime rate was 4.3 per 1,000 people.Education
There is one public high school in Stoughton, one public middle school, 5 elementary schools, and several parochial and private schools in nearby towns. Stoughton High SchoolStoughton High School
Stoughton High School serves the town of Stoughton, Massachusetts. The grades range from 9th grade to 12th grade, with an average of 300 students per class. It is located on 232 Pearl Street in Stoughton MA.-Sports:...
has an award-winning music program, as well as an award-winning newspaper, The SHS Knight and well-known jazz and marching bands.
The High School also has a myriad of extra curricular activities, including a growing Student Council, a nationally recognized DECA
DECA (organization)
DECA, also known as Collegiate DECA on the college level) is an international association of students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service . DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing,...
chapter, a town-supported SADD chapter, and a Gay-Straight Alliance organization.
The High School is also boasting a record high number of college-bound students.
In Boston Magazine
Boston magazine
Boston is a monthly magazine concerning life in the Greater Boston area and has been in publication for more than 40 years.-About the magazine:The magazine is self-described as:...
's annual top public school district list, Stoughton was ranked in the top 25%.
Transportation
Stoughton is on an MBTAMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, often referred to as the MBTA or simply The T, is the public operator of most bus, subway, commuter rail and ferry systems in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. Officially a "body politic and corporate, and a political subdivision" of the...
commuter rail line that runs 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...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
via the Providence/Stoughton Line
Providence/Stoughton Line
The Providence/Stoughton Line is a line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system running southwest from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The main line was originally built by the Boston and Providence Rail Road, and now carries service between Boston and T. F. Green Airport, Rhode Island...
. The Brockton Area Transit Authority
Brockton Area Transit Authority
Brockton Area Transit Authority is a public, non-profit organization in Massachusetts, charged with providing public transportation to the Brockton area, consisting of the city of Brockton and the adjoining towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Easton, Stoughton, Canton, West...
(BAT) provides local bus service.
Annual events
Every year, there are fireworks at the high school for celebration of the 4th of JulyIndependence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
. Other Stoughton attractions include local drama groups, summer-time outdoor concerts, and annual parades to honor veterans. Every year on the 4th of July, Stoughton has a 4 July parade. Stoughton also has a Veterans Day parade every year on Veterans Day.
Stoughton has a Christmas parade on December 18. The parade started in 1986 and has been going on for 22 years. The town of Stoughton organizes swimming programs at the Ames Long Pond and provides basketball courts and horseshoe pits at the local parks. The town of Stoughton also offers barbecue spots and picnic areas.
Notable residents
- John BaileyJohn Bailey (Massachusetts)John Bailey was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts.Born in Stoughton, Massachusetts . Bailey graduated from Brown University in 1807. Bailey worked as a tutor and librarian in Providence, Rhode Island from 1807 until 1814...
- congressman - Michael Baxter - Stoughton teacher and world class marathoner with three top ten finishes in New York City Marathon (1973, 1974, 1975) Stoughton High School, 1961
- Shawn Phelan - Actor
- Supply BelcherSupply BelcherSupply Belcher was an American composer, singer, and compiler of tune books. He was one of the members of the so-called First New England School, a group of mostly self-taught composers who created sacred vocal music for local choirs. He was active first in Lexington, Massachusetts, then...
- composer - Forrest BirdForrest BirdForrest M. Bird is an American aviator, inventor and biomedical engineer. He is best known for creating some of the first reliable mass-produced mechanical ventilators for acute and chronic cardiopulmonary care.-Biography:...
- aviator, inventor and biomedical engineer - Elmer Hewitt CapenElmer Hewitt CapenElmer Hewitt Capen was the third president of Tufts College , serving from 1875 to 1905. He was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts. Capen graduated from Tufts in 1860, and while there he was a founding member of the Kappa Charge of Theta Delta Chi...
- college president - Fannie Bishop Capen - missionary
- Chris Dibari - comic book artist
- Mary Baker EddyMary Baker EddyMary Baker Eddy was the founder of Christian Science , a Protestant American system of religious thought and practice religion adopted by the Church of Christ, Scientist, and others...
- religious leader - Jacob FrenchJacob FrenchJacob French born July 15, 1754 in Stoughton, Massachusetts and died in 1817. He was a singing master and one of the first American composers.-Publications:*The New American Melody *The Psalmodist's Companion...
- composer - Richard GridleyRichard GridleyRichard Gridley was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the son of Richard Gridley and Rebecca Scarborough. He was a soldier and engineer who served for the British Army during the French and Indian Wars and for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.He married Hannah Deming...
- soldier and army engineer - Mark Hutchins- President of Ford of Canada and Lincoln-Mercury. Stoughton High School, 1963
- Edwin Arthur JonesEdwin Arthur JonesEdwin Arthur Jones, was an American composer. He was called "one modest man who knows the power of music" by Edward Everett Hale, author of The Man Without a Country. This modest man, from a rural Massachusetts town about 20 miles south of Boston, composed some very significant works...
- composer - Kerry KeatingKerry KeatingKerry Keating is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at Santa Clara University.Keating was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts and grew up in Rockville Centre, on New York's Long Island...
- head coach - Ryan LaCasseRyan LaCasseRyan LaCasse is a former American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, primarily as a special teams player. He was originally drafted in the 7th round in 2006 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens but was traded to the Indianapolis Colts. He played 12 games for the Colts on their Super Bowl...
- football player - Ed McGuinnessEd McGuinnessEdward "Ed" McGuinness is an American comic book artist and penciller, best known for his work on books such as Superman, Superman/Batman, Deadpool, and Hulk...
- comic book artist - Lori McKennaLori McKennaLori McKenna is an American folk singer/songwriter. She lives in Stoughton, Massachusetts with her husband and five children.-Early work:...
- singer/songwriter - Brian McLaughlin - Founder of d'Angelo Sandwich Shops. Stoughton High School, 1964
- Gerard M. O'Neill - Pulitzer Prize winner (1972) and co-author of Black Mass. Stoughton High School, 1960
- Henry L. PierceHenry L. PierceHenry Lillie Pierce was a United States Representative fromMassachusetts. He was born in Stoughton on August 23, 1825. He pursued...
- mayor of Boston - Bertha ReynoldsBertha ReynoldsBertha Capen Reynolds, born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, was an American Social Worker who was influential in the creation of Strength Based Practice, Radical social work and Critical social work, among others.-Life:...
- social worker - Niccola Sacco - of Sacco & Vanzetti
- Deborah SampsonDeborah SampsonDeborah Samson Gannett , better known as Deborah Sampson, was an American woman who impersonated a man in order to serve in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. She is one of a small number of women with a documented record of military combat experience in that war...
- female soldier of the Revolution - Roger ShermanRoger ShermanRoger Sherman was an early American lawyer and politician, as well as a founding father. He served as the first mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, and served on the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence, and was also a representative and senator in the new republic...
- statesman - Kenny WormaldKenny WormaldKenny Wormald is an American professional dancer and actor. He is best known for his appearances on the MTV network show Dancelife, and his starring roles in Center Stage: Turn It Up and the 2011 version of the 1984 film Footloose.-Personal life:Wormald was born in Boston, to Melanie and Edgar K...
- dancer, actor, television personality
External links
- Town of Stoughton
- Stoughton Public Library
- Stoughton Historical Society
- Stoughton Massachusetts History & Genealogy
- Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
- Singing Stoughton
- Stoughton Public Schools
- Answer Book/Stoughton: Everything you need to know
- Hall, Roger Lee, "World's Columbian Exposition Concerts in 1893", americanmusicpreservation.com