Stoughton, Massachusetts: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:20, 31 December 2024

Stoughton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is located approximately 17 miles southwest of Boston, Massachusetts. The town was settled in 1713 and officially incorporated in 1726. Stoughton is known for its rich history, diverse community, and vibrant cultural life.

History[edit]

Stoughton was originally part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and was settled by English colonists in the early 18th century. The town was named after William Stoughton, who was the first chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and a prominent figure during the Salem witch trials.

During the 19th century, Stoughton became a center for the shoe manufacturing industry, which was a major economic driver for the region. The town's industrial growth was supported by the construction of the Old Colony Railroad, which connected Stoughton to Boston and other parts of Massachusetts.

Geography[edit]

Stoughton is situated in eastern Massachusetts and is bordered by the towns of Canton, Sharon, Easton, Brockton, and Randolph. The town covers a total area of 42.1 square kilometers, of which 41.5 square kilometers is land and 0.6 square kilometers is water.

Demographics[edit]

As of the 2020 census, Stoughton had a population of approximately 28,000 residents. The town is known for its diverse population, with a mix of different ethnic and cultural groups. The community is served by the Stoughton Public Schools system, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and Stoughton High School.

Economy[edit]

Historically, Stoughton's economy was driven by the shoe manufacturing industry. Today, the town's economy is more diversified, with sectors such as retail, healthcare, and education playing significant roles. Stoughton is home to several shopping centers, including the Cobb Corner Shopping Center, which serves as a retail hub for the area.

Culture and Community[edit]

Stoughton has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous community events and festivals held throughout the year. The town is home to the Stoughton Historical Society, which preserves and promotes the history of the area. The Stoughton Public Library serves as a cultural and educational resource for residents.

Transportation[edit]

Stoughton is well-connected by road and rail. The town is served by Massachusetts Route 24 and Interstate 95, providing easy access to Boston and other parts of the state. The Stoughton Branch of the MBTA Commuter Rail provides direct service to Boston's South Station, making it a convenient location for commuters.

Notable People[edit]

William Stoughton - First chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Elihu Burritt - 19th-century diplomat and social activist known as "The Learned Blacksmith."

Also see[edit]

Healthcare providers in Massachusetts

no subcategories

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[file:_Stoughton_town,_Norfolk_County,_Massachusetts|thumb|left]] [[image:The_Square_Looking_South,_Stoughton,_MA.jpg|thumb|left]] [[image:Public_Library,_Stoughton,_MA.jpg|thumb|right]] [[image:Chicataubut_Club,_Stoughton,_MA.jpg|thumb|right]] [[image:stoughtonsquare1.jpg|thumb|right]] '''Stoughton, Massachusetts''' is a town in [[Norfolk County, Massachusetts]], [[United States]]. The town is located approximately 17 miles south of [[Boston, Massachusetts]] and is part of the Greater Boston area. As of the 2020 census, the population of Stoughton was 29,281.
+[[File:The Square Looking South, Stoughton, MA.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Public Library, Stoughton, MA.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Chicataubut Club, Stoughton, MA.jpg|thumb]]
+'''Stoughton''' is a town in [[Norfolk County, Massachusetts]], United States. It is located approximately 17 miles southwest of [[Boston, Massachusetts]]. The town was settled in 1713 and officially incorporated in 1726. Stoughton is known for its rich history, diverse community, and vibrant cultural life.
-== History ==
+==History==
-Stoughton was first settled in 1713 and was officially incorporated in 1726. The town was named after [[William Stoughton]], who was the first chief justice of the [[Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court]] and the chief magistrate of the [[Salem witch trials]]. Stoughton played a significant role in the early industrial history of the United States, particularly in the shoe and rubber industries.
+Stoughton was originally part of the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]] and was settled by English colonists in the early 18th century. The town was named after [[William Stoughton]], who was the first chief justice of the [[Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court]] and a prominent figure during the [[Salem witch trials]].
-== Geography ==
+During the 19th century, Stoughton became a center for the shoe manufacturing industry, which was a major economic driver for the region. The town's industrial growth was supported by the construction of the [[Old Colony Railroad]], which connected Stoughton to Boston and other parts of Massachusetts.
-Stoughton is bordered by [[Canton, Massachusetts]] to the north, [[Randolph, Massachusetts]] to the east, [[Avon, Massachusetts]] to the southeast, [[Brockton, Massachusetts]] to the south, and [[Easton, Massachusetts]] and [[Sharon, Massachusetts]] to the west. The town covers a total area of 16.3 square miles, of which 16.0 square miles is land and 0.3 square miles is water.
-== Demographics ==
+==Geography==
-According to the 2020 census, the racial makeup of the town was 68.5% White, 18.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.2% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.8% of the population.
+Stoughton is situated in eastern Massachusetts and is bordered by the towns of [[Canton, Massachusetts|Canton]], [[Sharon, Massachusetts|Sharon]], [[Easton, Massachusetts|Easton]], [[Brockton, Massachusetts|Brockton]], and [[Randolph, Massachusetts|Randolph]]. The town covers a total area of 42.1 square kilometers, of which 41.5 square kilometers is land and 0.6 square kilometers is water.
-== Government ==
+==Demographics==
-Stoughton operates under a [[representative town meeting]] form of government. The town has a Board of Selectmen, which is responsible for the executive functions of the town, and a Town Manager, who oversees the day-to-day operations.
+As of the 2020 census, Stoughton had a population of approximately 28,000 residents. The town is known for its diverse population, with a mix of different ethnic and cultural groups. The community is served by the [[Stoughton Public Schools]] system, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and [[Stoughton High School]].
-== Education ==
+==Economy==
-Stoughton Public Schools serves the town and includes Stoughton High School, O'Donnell Middle School, and several elementary schools. The town is also home to the private school, [[Gibbons Elementary School]].
+Historically, Stoughton's economy was driven by the shoe manufacturing industry. Today, the town's economy is more diversified, with sectors such as retail, healthcare, and education playing significant roles. Stoughton is home to several shopping centers, including the [[Cobb Corner Shopping Center]], which serves as a retail hub for the area.
-== Transportation ==
+==Culture and Community==
-Stoughton is served by the [[Stoughton Branch]] of the [[MBTA Commuter Rail]] system, providing access to Boston's South Station. Major highways in the town include [[Massachusetts Route 24]], [[Massachusetts Route 27]], and [[Massachusetts Route 138]].
+Stoughton has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous community events and festivals held throughout the year. The town is home to the [[Stoughton Historical Society]], which preserves and promotes the history of the area. The [[Stoughton Public Library]] serves as a cultural and educational resource for residents.
-== Notable People ==
+==Transportation==
-* [[William Stoughton (Massachusetts)]] - First chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
+Stoughton is well-connected by road and rail. The town is served by [[Massachusetts Route 24]] and [[Interstate 95]], providing easy access to Boston and other parts of the state. The [[Stoughton Branch]] of the [[MBTA Commuter Rail]] provides direct service to Boston's [[South Station]], making it a convenient location for commuters.
-* [[Eddie Andelman]] - Sports radio talk show host.
-* [[Michael Bivins]] - Member of the R&B group [[New Edition]] and hip hop group [[Bell Biv DeVoe]].
-== Points of Interest ==
+==Notable People==
-* [[Stoughton Public Library]]
+* [[William Stoughton]] - First chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
-* [[Stoughton Historical Society]]
+* [[Elihu Burritt]] - 19th-century diplomat and social activist known as "The Learned Blacksmith."
-* [[Ames Long Pond]]
-== References ==
+==Also see==
-{{Reflist}}
+* [[Norfolk County, Massachusetts]]
+* [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]]
+* [[Salem witch trials]]
+* [[Old Colony Railroad]]
+* [[MBTA Commuter Rail]]
-== External Links ==
+{{Massachusetts}}
-{{Commons category|Stoughton, Massachusetts}}
+{{Norfolk County, Massachusetts}}
-{{Wikivoyage|Stoughton, Massachusetts}}
 [[Category:Towns in Norfolk County, Massachusetts]]
-[[Category:Populated places established in 1726]]
+[[Category:Populated places established in 1713]]
-[[Category:Greater Boston]]
 [[Category:1726 establishments in the Province of Massachusetts Bay]]
-{{Massachusetts-geo-stub}}