History of Natick, Massachusetts, USA

1718 - Natick is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1781 - Natick is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Natick
Natick, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. Natick is a pleasant town, of good soil: it is watered by Charles river, and contains several delightful ponds, well stored with fish. This was a favorite resort of the Indians. There are some moderate elevations in the town: the Indians used to call it "the place of hills."

Under the advice and direction of the apostle Elliot, the first Indian church in New England was formed here in 1660, and comprised 40 communicants.

The manufactures of the town consist principally of shoes. During the year ending April 1, 1837, 250,650 pairs were made, valued at $213,053: employing 452 hands. This town was incorporated in 1781. Population, 1830, 890; 1837, 1,221. It lies 16 miles W.S.W. from Boston and 12 S. from Concord.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - NATICK. [Pop. 1,285. Inc. 1781.]
Natick is one of the few towns of Massachusetts that retain their original Indian names. The word Natick is said to mean 'The Hill Country.'

Natick is well watered by Charles River and several ponds, of which Long Pond is the largest, and which will probably be selected to supply Boston with fresh water.

The first regular church of converted Indians, was formed here by the apostle Eliot, in 1660, after an unsuccessful attempt at Nonantum Hill, in Newton.

It was into the language of the Natick Indians, that the venerable Eliot translated the whole Bible, which was printed at the college press at Cambridge, in 1663 ; but not an Indian is left to read the work that cost so much labor, nor to speak a word of what has become a dead language.

Shoes, to a large amount, are manufactured here.

Distance from Concord, 12 miles ; from Boston, 16
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1848 - Natick
This township was originally granted by the general court to the Indians, as a place for a permanent residence. It was incorporated into an English district in 1761, and into a town in 1781, by the name of Natick, a word in the Indian language, signifying “the place of hills.” It is watered by Charles river, and contains numerous fish ponds. There are two villages, which are upwards of a mile apart. North Natick is a village newly erected; it consists of about 30 houses, two churches, 1 Congregational, and 1 Methodist. The Boston and Worcester railroad passes through this village. South Natick is the ancient village; it consists of about 20 dwelling houses and a Unitarian church. Population, 1,221. Distance from Concord, 12 miles, 9 from Dedham, and 16 from Boston. In 1837, there were 250,650 pairs of shoes manufactured here, valued at $213,052 50; males employed, 263; females, 189.

The first Indian church in New England was formed here, in 1660. The indians were first brought... Read MORE...

1854 - Natick
Natick, a post-township in Middlesex co., Mass., on the Boston and Worcester railroad, 17 miles W. S. W. from Boston. Pop., 2744.
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.

Natick Massachusetts, 1890
Natick is a large and flourishing town in the southerly part of Middlesex County, noted chiefly for its shoe manufacture. The Boston and Albany Railroad crosses the town, having its chief station in Natick village, at the centre, 17 miles from Boston. From this point a branch road extends to Saxonville, on the Sudbury River, in Framingham. The large angles of the town lie at its north, south and west. The assessed area is 8,309 acres. Wayland bounds it on the north, Needham on the east, Sherborn on the southwest, and Framingham on the northwest.

The most commanding eminence is Pegan Hill, at the southeast, 408 feet in height. Others are Tom's Hill in the west, and Fisk's and Broad hills near the centre, — from which may he had fine views of the principal village and of Lake Cochituate. This beautiful expanse of water extends from the central part of the town northward along the borders of Framingham and Wayland. Eastward, just over the border, are the Wellesley ponds. There are... Read MORE...

1895 - Natick
Na'tick, a post-town of Middlesex co., Mass., on the Boston & Worcester Railroad, at the junction of the Saxonville Branch, 18 miles W.S.W. of Boston. It is at the S. end of Cochituate Lake. It contains 10 churches, 2 public libraries, a high school, a national bank, a savings bank, 3 newspaper offices, and extensive manufactories of boots and shoes and base-balls, and is drained by an excellent drainage system. It contains Felchville and South Natick. Pop. in 1880, 8479; in 1890, 9118.
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
Natick, a post-town of Middlesex co., Mass. on the Boston and Albany R., 17 miles WSW. of Boston. It is at the S. end of Cochituate Lake. It has public libraries (Morse Institute, Bacon Public Library), the Walnut Hill School, and extensive manufactories of boots and shoes, base-balls, wooden-ware, clothing, etc. Pop. in 1900, 9488.
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

2023 - Here's a list of places to visit and things to do in Natick:
Natick Historical Society and Museum:

Explore the local history and artifacts to get a sense of the town's heritage.

Natick Common:

Enjoy a stroll around the charming Natick Common, a historic town center.

Natick Mall:

Shop and dine at Natick Mall, which offers a variety of stores and restaurants.

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary:

Take a nature walk at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary to experience the local flora and fauna.

Sassamon Trace Golf Course:

Play a round of golf at this scenic golf course.

Cochituate State Park:

Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and picnicking in Cochituate State Park.

Natick Farmers Market:

Check out the local produce and handmade goods at the Natick Farmers Market (seasonal).

Bacon Free Library:

Visit the Bacon Free Library for a quiet reading space and potential events.

Lookout Farm:

Experience apple picking, farm activities, and seasonal events at Lookout Farm.

Natick Center for the Arts:

Attend a... Read MORE...