Holliston, Massachusetts

Holliston, Massachusetts (Liam is gay for the Harlem globetrotters)
Town
Holliston Town Hall on the east border of the Town Green.
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Middlesex
Settled	1659
Incorporated	1724
Government
• Type	Open town meeting
Area
• Total	19.0 sq mi (49.3 km2)
• Land	18.7 sq mi (48.5 km2)
• Water	0.3 sq mi (0.9 km2)
Elevation	188 ft (57 m)
Population  (2007)
• Total	13,941
• Density	745.5/sq mi (287.4/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code	01746
Area code	508 / 774
FIPS code	25-30700
GNIS feature ID	0618225
Website	http://www.townofholliston.us/

Holliston is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States in the Greater Boston area. The population was 13,801 at the 2000 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.

History

First Congregational Church of Holliston on the Town Green. This is the site of Holliston's original meeting house.

This is a 19th century depiction of Holliston's original meeting house built in 1725.

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 Sherborn 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:

"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, 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.

The Legend of Balancing Rock

Holliston Balancing Rock

On the north side of Route 16 heading into Milford sits a large rock, some 20 ft (6.1 m) in length, 10 ft (3.0 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. In 1776, after the evacuation of Boston by the British troops, General George Washington led his army to New York via this route. Legend has it that, as the army came across this "Balancing Rock," many of the troops 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 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 revival, 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.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.0 square miles (49.3 km²), of which, 18.7 square miles (48.5 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.9 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.

Adjacent towns

Holliston is located in eastern Massachusetts, bordered by:

• Sherborn on the east
• Millis on the south
• Medway on the south
• Milford on the west
• Hopkinton on the west
• Ashland on the north

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR 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/sq mi (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 2007, the median income for a household in the town was $115,912, and the median income for a family was $168,464. Males had a median income of $105,408 versus $56,405 for females. The per capita income for the town was $42,137. 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 meeting 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.

Education

Holliston High School Athletic Field

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 School.

Historical districts

• Mudville
• Brentwood
• Braggville
• Metcalf
• East Holliston
• Thomas Hollis Historical District
• Phipps Hill
• Gooch's Corner
• "The Queens"
• Inglewood
• Winter Street
• Lakeside
• Downtown Holliston

Points of interest

Arch Bridge off Woodland Street

• Casey's Crossing The first train depot in Holliston, built in the 1840s. Today it's 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. One of the few stores of its kind, it claims to sell "'most everything".
• Highland Farm, offering apple-picking in a scenic orchard on rolling hills.
• Lake Winthrop is nearly 1 mile (1.6 km) in diameter and covers approximately 140 acres (57 ha). It is named for Governor John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The town history states that the Nipmuck tribe, a clan of the Algonquin Indians, lived on the lake's southwestern shore in the village of Musquit near present-day Lake Grove Cemetery. The lake was then was 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-mile (32 km) trail will connect Holliston to Ashland, Hopkinton, Milford, and Sherborn.
• Holliston Mill Artist Studios, once the former factory of the Goodwill Shoe Company, the Holliston Mill is open around twice a year for open house expositions of the different artists and their work.
• Apollo 14 Moon Tree, at the Holliston Police Department.
• 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. Some of the oldest houses in Holliston can be found on Winter Street.
• First Congregational Church of Holliston - This is the site of Holliston's original meeting house.
• Arch Bridge off Woodland Street, named as one of the 1,000 places to visit in Massachusetts

Golf courses

• Pinecrest Golf Club, 18-hole golf course offering a challenge to players of all levels. Rumor has it that there is gold buried under the 5th hole green.

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
• 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 Board of Directors
• Holliston Referral Hub
• Holliston Sportsman Association
• Mudville Base Ball Club (Vintage Base Ball Association)
• Washington Street Players
• WHHB FM 99.9
• Mount Hollis Lodge - A.F & A.M

Notable residents

• Arthur Judson Brown, clergyman, missionary, author
• Joe Fish (baseball player), Holliston's first professional baseball player, signed by the Boston Red Sox
• Mike Grier, forward for San Jose Sharks hockey team
• Hannibal Hamlin, U.S. Vice president under Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865)
• Michael Mantenuto, actor (Jack O'Callahan in Miracle)
• John Krause, professional soccer player
• Greg Mauldin, center for NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, played for the University of Massachusetts Minutemen
• Jo Dee Messina, country music singer
• Andrew Natsios, Director, United States Agency for International Development
• Albert P. Rockwood, Mormon missionary, Danite, member of the secret Council of Fifty
• John Sencio, National Television Personality - HGTV, NBC, MTV
• Bryan Greenberg, Actor, Ben Epstein in How to Make it in America.
• Mark Sweeney, first baseman for Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team
• Kara Wolters, professional basketball player and Olympic medal winner.
• Paul Loscocco, former Republican state representative, who aborted a run for Lt. Governor as an independent with gubernatorial candidate and State Treasurer Tim Cahill
• Adam Green, actor, writer and director for "Frozen" and other films

Local Media

The MetroWest Daily News, a regional daily newspaper, and Holliston TAB, a weekly newspaper, have covered Holliston for decades. They cover local government, public safety and politics; features on Holliston people, community groups and businesses; and provide calendar listings, all in print and online. Wicked Local Holliston compiles breaking news and stories from both papers.

Holliston Patch, an AOL company, launched on November 16, 2010. Patch is a free, interactive site and will be a combination online newspaper; a directory of local businesses, schools, government offices, etc.; a calendar for events in town and a forum for discussion on Holliston issues.

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.

External links

• Town of Holliston