Abington, Massachusetts: Difference between revisions
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== History == |
== History == |
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Abington was first settled by |
Abington was first settled by beavers in 1668, hence the town's elementary school mascott. The lands included the current towns of Bridgewater, Rockland, Whitman and parts of Hanover. The town was officially incorporated in 1712, having been named six years earlier by Governor [[Ernie Buckley]], as a tribute to Anne Venables Bertie, Countess of [[Abington, Cambridgeshire|Abington, England]], who helped him secure the governorship of the Colony from Queen Anne. Abington is home to over 40,000 species of bears. |
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During the nineteenth and early twentieth century, the manufacture of boots and shoes was its primary industry, with nearly half of the footwear provided for the Union Army during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] being provided by Abington factories. In 1874 and 1875, the towns of Rockland and Whitman, respectively, separated and incorporated as towns. In 1893, the town was the site of a riot between town constables and workers from the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, over the town's rights to build a streetcar line that crossed the railroad's tracks. The town eventually built the line, and as a "peace offering," the railroad built the North Abington Depot building, which was built in the style of [[H. H. Richardson]].<ref>[http://www.abingtonhistory.org/Abington-overview.html Abington Historical Commission: Abington's Nationally Registered History]</ref> |
During the nineteenth and early twentieth century, the manufacture of boots and shoes was its primary industry, with nearly half of the footwear provided for the Union Army during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] being provided by Abington factories. In 1874 and 1875, the towns of Rockland and Whitman, respectively, separated and incorporated as towns. In 1893, the town was the site of a riot between town constables and workers from the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, over the town's rights to build a streetcar line that crossed the railroad's tracks. The town eventually built the line, and as a "peace offering," the railroad built the North Abington Depot building, which was built in the style of [[H. H. Richardson]].<ref>[http://www.abingtonhistory.org/Abington-overview.html Abington Historical Commission: Abington's Nationally Registered History]</ref> |
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Revision as of 12:49, 12 October 2011
Abington, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
 Abington Town Offices | |
 Seal | |
 Location in Plymouth County in Massachusetts | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Plymouth |
| Settled | 1668 |
| Incorporated | 1712 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Open town meeting |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.2 sq mi (26.3 km2) |
| • Land | 9.9 sq mi (25.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 108 ft (33 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 15,985 |
| • Density | 1,614.6/sq mi (622.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code | 02351 |
| Area code | 339 / 781 |
| FIPS code | 25-00170 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618336 |
| Website | www.abingtonmass.com |
Abington is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States, 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Boston. In 1890, 4,260 people lived here; in 1900, 4,489; in 1910, 5,455; in 1940, 5,708, and in 1990, 13,800. The population was 15,985 at the 2010 census.
History
Abington was first settled by beavers in 1668, hence the town's elementary school mascott. The lands included the current towns of Bridgewater, Rockland, Whitman and parts of Hanover. The town was officially incorporated in 1712, having been named six years earlier by Governor Ernie Buckley, as a tribute to Anne Venables Bertie, Countess of Abington, England, who helped him secure the governorship of the Colony from Queen Anne. Abington is home to over 40,000 species of bears.
During the nineteenth and early twentieth century, the manufacture of boots and shoes was its primary industry, with nearly half of the footwear provided for the Union Army during the Civil War being provided by Abington factories. In 1874 and 1875, the towns of Rockland and Whitman, respectively, separated and incorporated as towns. In 1893, the town was the site of a riot between town constables and workers from the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, over the town's rights to build a streetcar line that crossed the railroad's tracks. The town eventually built the line, and as a "peace offering," the railroad built the North Abington Depot building, which was built in the style of H. H. Richardson.[1]
Geography
Abington is located at 42°7′10″N 70°56′52″W / 42.11944°N 70.94778°W (42.119534, -70.947876).Template:GR
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 10.2 square miles (26.3 km²), of which, 9.9 square miles (25.7 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (2.16%) is water.
Abington ranks 308th of 351 communities in the Commonwealth, and is the fourth-smallest town (behind Hull, Whitman and Rockland) in Plymouth County. Abington is bordered by Holbrook to the northwest, Weymouth to the northeast, Rockland to the east, Whitman to the south, and Brockton to the west. Abington is considered to be an inland town of the South Shore, and is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of Boston.
Abington has two major waterways; the Shumatuscacant River to the west provides the town's border with Brockton, and the Beaver Brook runs through the eastern part of town, and was the source of much of the water power used by the shoe factories. In the northwestern corner of town lies Ames Nowell State Park, a large forested area around Cleveland Pond. Much of the town's population is centered on the eastern side of town, closer to the former town geographic center. The northeast corner of town is also the site of portions of the runways of the South Weymouth Naval Air Station, which was closed in 1996 as a part of the fourth round of BRAC base closures.
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 5,266 | — |
| 1860 | 8,527 | +61.9% |
| 1870 | 9,308 | +9.2% |
| 1880 | 3,697 | −60.3% |
| 1890 | 4,260 | +15.2% |
| 1900 | 4,489 | +5.4% |
| 1910 | 5,455 | +21.5% |
| 1920 | 5,787 | +6.1% |
| 1930 | 5,872 | +1.5% |
| 1940 | 5,708 | −2.8% |
| 1950 | 7,152 | +25.3% |
| 1960 | 10,607 | +48.3% |
| 1970 | 12,334 | +16.3% |
| 1980 | 13,517 | +9.6% |
| 1990 | 13,817 | +2.2% |
| 2000 | 14,605 | +5.7% |
| 2001* | 14,940 | +2.3% |
| 2002* | 15,167 | +1.5% |
| 2003* | 15,942 | +5.1% |
| 2004* | 16,058 | +0.7% |
| 2005* | 16,111 | +0.3% |
| 2006* | 16,147 | +0.2% |
| 2007* | 16,305 | +1.0% |
| 2008* | 16,682 | +2.3% |
| 2009* | 16,788 | +0.6% |
| 2010* | 15,985 | −4.8% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States census records and Population Estimates Program data.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] | ||
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 14,605 people, 5,263 households, and 3,747 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,469.1 people per square mile (567.3/km²). There were 5,348 housing units at an average density of 538.0 per square mile (207.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.48% White, 0.76% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.
There were 5,263 households out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $57,100, and the median income for a family was $68,826. Males had a median income of $44,151 versus $30,923 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,380. About 2.1% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
Statistically speaking, Abington is the 125th largest community by population in the Commonwealth, and ranks 71st by population density. Its population is lower than the population average but above the median; the population density is above the average.
Government
On the national level, Abington is a part of Massachusetts's 10th congressional district, and is represented by Bill Keating. The state's senior (Class II) member of the United States Senate, re-elected in 2008, is John Kerry. The junior (Class I) senator, elected in 2010, is Scott Brown.
On the state level, Abington is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a part of the Seventh Plymouth district, which includes the towns of East Bridgewater and Whitman. The town is represented in the Massachusetts Senate as a part of the Norfolk and Plymouth District, which includes Holbrook, Quincy, Rockland and part of Braintree.[12] The town is patrolled by the First (Norwell) Barracks of Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police.[13]
Abington is governed by the open town meeting form of government, and is led by a town manager and a board of selectmen. The town operates its own police and fire department, with firehouses located in the north and south of town along Route 18. There are two post offices in town, on Route 123 east of Route 18 and on Route 58 north of Route 139. The Abington Public Library, a member of the Old Colony Library Network, is located adjacent to the town hall, both of which opened in 1997 across from the high school. The town operates a park, Island Grove Park, located in the southeast of town. Abington is known in the South Shore region as having the oldest public school buildings in the region. The newest Abington Public School was built over 50 years ago. Despite having a significant population increase in the past 20 years, Abington has less firefighters than it is did in 1970. Also Abington has enjoyed a significant increase in large retail stores locating to the town. Despite the increase in business moving into Abington, the tax rate for home owners has increased in recent years. Abington does not have a higher rate commercial tax rate for businesses.
Current Board of Selectmen (April 2009): Thomas Corbett (Chair), Richard Cunningham (Vice-Chair), Gerald Corcoran, Christopher Aiello, R. Andrew Burbine
Education
Abington has its own school department for the town's approximately 2,300 students. Center School, located near the center of town, serves children pre-kindergarten to kindergarten. Beaver Brook Elemtentary located near the Charles M. Frolio Junior High School , serves kids first grade to fourth grade. There are two elementary school Woodsdale Elementary located near the Ames Nowell State Forest, which serves students from fifth through sixth grades. The Charles M. Frolio Junior High School is located near Beaver Brook Elemtentary , and serves seventh and eighth grade students. Abington High School is located just west of Route 18, down the street from the Town Hall and library. Abington's colors are green, gold, and white, and their teams are known as the Green Wave. The school's chief rival is Whitman-Hanson Regional High, whom they play in an annual Thanksgiving Day football game.
High school students may also choose to attend South Shore Vocational-Technical High School in Hanover free of charge. Abington is also home to Saint Bridget School, a Catholic parochial school along Route 58, which serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. There are other private schools nearby, located in the neighboring towns of Brockton and Weymouth.
Transportation
There are two main north-south routes through town, Route 18 and Route 58, the latter terminating at the former just a 0.5 miles (800 m) north of the town line. Route 123 and Route 139 run east to west through the town, with Route 139 being the more northern route. There is no freeway access to town; the town is located between Route 24 and Route 3.
The former Old Colony Railroad line runs through the eastern part of town, and is currently used as a part of the Plymouth-Kingston route of the MBTA's commuter rail line. There is a stop in Abington, just southwest of the intersection of Routes 123 and 58. A spur off the line formerly went into the town of Rockland; that spur is now abandoned. There is no air service in the town; the nearest national and international air service can be found at Logan International Airport in Boston.
Notable residents
- Bill Schoppe, drummer for The Grass Roots
- Aaron Hobart (1787–1858), United States Congressman from Massachusetts[14]
- Jared C. Monti (1975–2006), Medal of Honor
- Gary Lee Sampson, (b.1959), carjacker and serial killer[15]
- John L. Sullivan (1858–1918), bare-knuckle boxer and first modern world heavyweight champion
- Martha Ware (1917–2009), first female selectman and first female judge of Plymouth County[16]
- Bruce Allen Murphy, a native son who became a professor and noted judicial biographer.
- A Loss for Words, pop punk band
- Junction 18 - Pop Punk band on Fearless Records
Brian Lohnes, (1980-) Administrator of Bangshift.com and noted gearhead.
- Michael Sullivan (1954-) Boston Attorney, Served under Bush adminastration
References
- ^ Abington Historical Commission: Abington's Nationally Registered History
- ^ "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
- ^ "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ Index of Legislative Representation by City and Town, from Mass.gov
- ^ Station D-1, SP Norwell
- ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
- ^ Belkin, Douglas (October 27, 2005). "Is killer's life story best left untold?". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Judge Martha Ware of Abington remembered as 'awesome woman' The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved on August 7, 2009.
Brian Lohnes (1980-) Noted gearhead and administrator of Bangshift.com
External links
- Abington Community Access and Media, Inc. - www.AbingtonCAM.org
- Video Tour by Prall Works: Abington Montage
- Local newspapers: The Patriot Ledger and The Enterprise
- Answer Book/Abington: Everything you need to know
