History of Woburn, Massachusetts, USA

1642 - Woburn founded
First settled in 1640, incorporated in 1642
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1763 - The Black Horse Tavern opened for business in 1763 in South Woburn.

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1780 - May 19, 1780 was recorded as the “Dark Day”. Conditions were probably caused by numerous forest fires in upstate New York and in Canada. (Woburn)

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1802 - The first boats ran on the Middlesex Canal on April 22, 1802, the Canal actually opened for business in 1803. The Middlesex Canal was the first regional transportation canal in the United States.

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1835 - The year 1835 brought trains to Woburn. On May 27th the “Stephenson” engine ran a trial trip to the Town. The Boston and Lowell Railroad opened for business on Wednesday, June 24 of that year.

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1839 - Charles Goodyear produced first vulcanized rubber in Woburn


Read more about Charles GOODYEAR

1839 - The first newspaper, the Woburn Sentinel began in 1839.

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1839 - Woburn
Woburn, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. This town is situated 10 miles N.W. by N. from Boston, 12 E. by N. from Concord, and 14 W. from Salem. It was incorporated in 1642, and first settled in 1640. Population, 1830, 1,977; 1837, 2,643.

There are some elevations in Woburn which give the surface a variegated and pleasing aspect. There is considerable wood land in the town, and some pine plain land; but the soil is generally strong, fertile and well improved. It contains some beautiful farms.

The manufactures of the town consist of leather, boots, shoes, india rubber, chairs, door sashes, blinds, tin, cabinet, and wooden wares: total value, the year ending April 1, 1837, $421,042.

Horn Pond in this town is a delightful sheet of water, surrounded by evergreens, and is so remarkable for its rural beauties as to attract many visitors from a distance. This pond serves as a passage for the Middlesex canal; it also furnishes the town with a water power of some value. The waters of... Read MORE...

1845 - WOBURN. [Pop. 2,993. Inc. 1642.]
Woburn, when a part of Charlestown, was called Charlestown Village.

Horn Pond, a beautiful resort for parties of pleasure, is on a quite elevated ground, so that the Middlesex Canal, which passes along its banks, has six locks within a few rods of each other.

The chief manufactures are boots, shoes, and leather.

Distance from Concord, 12 miles; from Boston, 10.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1848 - Woburn
WOBURN at the period of its first settlement was called “Charlestown Village;" it was incorporated as a town in 1642. In the same year the first church was gathered, and Rev. Thomas Carter ordained the first minister. In the year 1640 news was brought to Charlestown of the conveniency of land adjoining their north bounds. Upon this a petition was presented to the general court for two miles square of land to be added to their head line. This petition was granted, and the addition afterwards increased to four miles square. A committee was soon after chosen by Charlestown church to explore the land, and make arrangements for erectmg a new church and town. All was then a wilderness. The committee were obliged to spend nights without shelter, "whilst the rain and. snow did bedew their rocky beds." They have recorded one remarkable providence as "never to be forgotten." Some of the company sheltering themselves under the body of a large tree, which lay at a distance from the ground, no... Read MORE...

1854 - Woburn
Woburn, a post-township of Middlesex co., Massachusetts, intersected by the Boston and Lowell railroad, 10 miles N. N. W. from Bos ton, and by the Middlesex canal, which, by means of locks, overcomes a rise in this part of its course of 45 feet. This, with the out let of several ponds in the vicinity, affords an abundant and well-improved waterpower. The principal village, called Woburn Centre, is delightfully situated on elevated ground, and contains 3 or 4 churches, and Warren Academy, a flourishing institution founded in 1828. A branch railroad communicates with the Boston and Lowell railroad, at Winchester, 2 miles distant. Population of the town ship in 1840, 2993 ; in 1850, 3956.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1885 - Electric lights were first introduced in town on July 21, 1885. (Woburn)

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1889 - Woburn is incorporated as a city

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

Woburn Massachusetts, 1890
WOBURN is a very pleasant and prosperous city in the easterly part of Middlesex County, 10 miles from Boston. The Boston and Lowell Railroad runs through the eastern section of the town, following the valley of a tributary of the Mystic River, having a branch to Woburn centre, and another to Stoneham in the opposite direction. Woburn (centre), Montvale, North Woburn and Cummingsville are the post-offices. The other villages are Central Square, Durensville, Highlands, Horn Pond, Thompsonville, East Woburn and Woburn Watering Place.

The form of the territory is that of one angle and the adjacent sides of a hollow square, with the angle southeastward. On the northwest are Burlington and Wilmington; on. the east are Reading and Stoneham; on the southeast is Winchester; on the southwest, Lexington; and on the west, Burlington. The assessed area is 7,653 acres; of which 1,457 acres are forests of oak, maple and pine. The lots, lawns and streets of the central village contain so many... Read MORE...

1895 - Woburn
Woburn (local pron. woo'burn), a city of Middlesex co., Mass., 10 miles N.N.W. of Boston, 15 miles S.E. of Lowell, and about 17 miles W. by S. of Salem. It is on a branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad. It contains 7 churches, a high school, the Warren Academy, 2 newspaper offices, a national bank, a savings-bank, and manufactures of pianos, shoes, electric train-signals, glue, chemicals, knit goods, clothing, belt-knives, &c. Its industry of leather manufacturing is said to be larger than that of any other place in New England. Pop, in 1880, 10,931; in 1890, 13,499.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Woburn (local pron. woo'burn), a city of Middlesex co., Mass., 10 miles NNW. of Boston, on the Boston and Maine R. It contains a public library with about 50,000 volumes and has numerous handsome residences. The manufactures include leather, glue, sand-paper, and belt- knives. Pop. in 1900, 14,254.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1915 - Woburn Chemical Works Burned
The greatest property damage was done at a fire that destroyed the Merrimac Chemical Company's plant in North Woburn, late yesterday afternoon, the company suffering a loss of $200,000. One young man was seriously burned by falling into a pool of sulphuric acid and all of the firemen were slightly injured by sulphuric spray from burst tanks that filled the air.

The fire destroyed the building in which were stored 10,000 gallons of sulphuric acid in lead tanks and 250 barrels of alum. The melting of the lead tanks caused the acid to flood the ground all about the building.

Warren Allan, 16 years old, who was watching the fire, tripped and fell into a pool of acid and before he could be fished out was terribly burned about the body and head. He was taken to his home where it is said his condition is serious. The cause of this fire is unknown.
Boston Morning Journal
Boston, Massachusetts
March 2, 1915

1951 - Route 128 opened in 1951.

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1959 - Dial telephone was introduced to Woburn in 1959

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Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Woburn:
Horn Pond: This picturesque pond is a fantastic place to spend a relaxing day outdoors. You can take a leisurely stroll along the walking trails, have a picnic by the water, or even go kayaking or fishing. The natural beauty of Horn Pond is a true gem in Woburn.

Woburn Public Library: If you're a book lover or just looking for a quiet place to read or study, the Woburn Public Library is an excellent choice. It's not only a hub for literature but also a cultural center that hosts various events and activities throughout the year.

Woburn Farmers Market: Visit the Woburn Farmers Market to support local farmers and artisans. You can find fresh produce, artisanal goods, and handmade crafts. It's a great place to stock up on organic fruits and vegetables or discover unique gifts.

Hike in Horn Pond Mountain: For a bit of a workout and a rewarding view, hike up Horn Pond Mountain. The trail is relatively short but offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. It's particularly... Read MORE...