History of Needham, Massachusetts, USA

Needham, Massachusetts
Norfolk county. This town is nearly surrounded by the waters of Charles river. It contains numerous valuable mill seats. There are in the town 6 paper mills, a cotton factory, and manufactures of shoes, hats, and window blind hinges:—annual value, about $150,000. Incorporated, 1711. Population, 1837, 1,492. Needham lies 4 miles N.W. from Dedham, and 12 W.S.W. from Boston by the Boston and Worcester rail-road.

Needham was originally a part of Dedham.

Charles River forms the greater part of its boundary, and enables it to have factories of paper, and woollen and cotton cloth.

Distance from Dedham, 4 miles; from Boston, 12.

Needham, a post-township in Norfolk co., Massachusetts, 14 miles W. S. W. from Boston, intersected by the Boston and Worcester railroad. Population, 1944.

Needham lies in the northern part of Norfolk County, its boundaries marked on three sides (except a mile or two at the southeast) by the circuitous lane of Charles River. Newton and the West Roxbury district of Boston lie on the east, Dedham and Dover on the south, the latter also on the west, and Wellesley on the northwest and north. The assessed area is 7,692 acres including 3,046 acres of woodland.

Bird's Hill in the southeast corner and Ridge Hill in the western part are charming elevations, commanding extensive prospects of well-cultivated farms and prosperous villages. Much attention is bestowed on market gardening. The extensive meadows on Charles River produce valuable crops of hay and cranberries. The apple and pear orchards are numerous, and berries are found in large variety.

The value of the aggregate product of the 249 farms in 188 was $132,275. Many of these farms are small, and are simply the residences of people principally engaged in other business. Only 81...

Need'ham, a post-village in Needham township, Norfolk co., Mass., on the New York & New England Railroad, 12 miles S.W. of Boston. It has several churches, a savings bank, a newspaper office, and manufactures of hosiery, knit goods, blind-hinges, swing- and hammock-chairs, vinegar, and cigars. Here are fine gardens and beautiful scenery. The township is bounded on the S. and the N.E. by Charles River, and is intersected by the Boston & Albany Railroad. It contains villages named Grantville, Highlandville, Charles River Village, and Wellesley. Pop. in 1890, 3035.

Needham, a post-village in Needham township (town), Norfolk co., Mass., on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 12 miles SW. of Boston. It has manufactures of hosiery, knit goods, blind-hinges, etc. Here are fine gardens and beautiful scenery. The town is bounded on the S. and the NE. by the Charles River. Pop. of the town in 1900, 4016; of the village, about 2400.