Milton, Massachusetts

Milton is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 26,062. It is the home of the prestigious secondary school Milton Academy, the liberal arts college Curry College, and the birthplace of former President George H. W. Bush and Buckminster Fuller. Milton is also the most Irish town in the United States per capita, with 43% of its residents being of Irish decent.

History

Milton was first settled in 1636* and was officially incorporated in 1662.

Related Topics:
1636 - 1662

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The Suffolk Resolves were signed in Milton.

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Milton was home to America's first piano factory and New England's first chocolate factory.

Related Topics:
Piano - New England - Chocolate

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America's first railroad ran through Milton.

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Milton, MA is a community between the Neponset River and the Blue Hills. Although the first English traders used Milton in the 1620's, the earliest permanent settlement occurred in 1634* when colonists created an agricultural community growing barley, rye and Indian corn. A powder mill established in 1674 is thought to be the earliest in the colonies, taking advantage of the town's valuable water power sites. Boston investors, seeing the potential of the town and its proximity to the city, provided the capital to develop 18th century Milton, MA as an important industrial site with an iron slitting mill, paper and sawmills and the first chocolate factory in New England in 1764. Laying of streetcar lines fueled the rapid expansion of residential development and between 1870 and 1915 Milton grew into essentially the community it is now, a streetcar suburb with only some chocolates, biscuits and market produce to remind residents of the past. By 1929 many of the big estates were broken up into subdivisions continuing the town's residential growth. Milton now retains a good many 19th century country houses and estates and 19th century workers' housing. (Narrative supplied by Mass.gov)

Related Topics:
Neponset River - Blue Hills - English - 1620 - 1634 - Colonists - Agricultural community - Barley - Rye - Indian corn - Powder mill - 1674 - Water power - Boston - 18th century - New England - 1764 - Streetcar - 1870 - 1915 - Suburb - Chocolates - Biscuits - Produce - 1929 - Estates - 19th century

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• The exact year Milton was settled is debated, but it is believed to be sometime before 1640 and after the mid part of the 1630's. The town seal says 1640, as well as several other town monuments.