History of North Brookfield, Massachusetts, USA

North Brookfield was first settled in 1664

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1812 - North Brookfield was incorporated, splitting from neighboring Brookfield.

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - North Brookfield
North Brookfield, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This town is on elevated ground: it is of good soil, well cultivated, well watered, and very pleasant. It has a fine fish pond, and lies 68 miles W. from Boston, and 18 W. from Worcester: taken from Brookfield in 1802. Population, 1830, 1,241; 1837, 1,509. The agricultural products sent to market are very considerable. The manufactures of the town consist of boots and shoes, woolen cloth, leather, &c., the value of which for the year ending April 1, 1837, was $525,224; of which $470,316 was for boots and shoes.
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 - NORTH BROOKFIELD. [Pop. 1,485. Inc. 1812.]
This was once the north part of Brookfield.

Boots and shoes are manufactured here to a very great amount,
and the agricultural products sent to market are very considerable.

Distance from Worcester, 18 miles ; from Boston, 58.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1848 - N. Brookfield
This town was originally the second parish in the town of Brookfield; it was incorporated as such in 1750. It was incorporated as a town in 1812. The first meeting house in this town was raised in 1749, and completed after a few years. This house was occupied for public worship till January, 1824, when a new one, situated about half a mile north of the old one, was completed. The church in this town was gathered in 1752, and Rev. Eli Fobes, D. D., was ordained their minister the same year. Dr. Fobes was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Appleton, in 1776. The next minister was Rev. Thomas Snell, D. D., who was ordained in 1798.

The following is a southern view of the central part of North Brookfield, showing part of the Congregational church on the right, and part of the town-house on the left. The village, which has mostly been built up in the course of about ten years since, consists of about 30 dwelling-houses, and 2 churches, 1 Congregational and 1 Methodist. Deacon Tyler and Mr. Ezra... Read MORE...

1854 - North Brookfield
North Brookfield, a post-township in Worcester co., Massachusetts, 65 miles W. by S. from Boston. Population, 1939.
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.

North Brookfield Massachusetts, 1890
North Brookfield is an enterprising, public-spirited and prosperous farming and manufacturing town in the southwestern part of Worcester County, 67 miles southwest of Boston. It is bounded on the north by New Braintree, east by Spencer, south by Brookfield, and west by West Brookfield and New Braintree.

The assessed area is 12,942 acres, including 2,658 acres of forest. The geological formation is ferruginous gneiss. The land is elevated and broken; but the soil is moist and deep. Apple orchards are numerous. Batchellor's Hill in the northeast, overlooking Brook's Pond, and Buck Hill, near the line of West Brookfield, are the two most commanding eminences. Horse-pond Brook, in the northeast, is an affluent of Five-mile River, which runs from Brook's Pond to Furnace Pond, at the southeast corner, and drains the eastern part of the town. Moore's Brook drains the southern; Coy's Brook the southwestern; and Sucker Brook the northwestern, parts of the town. These streams afford some... Read MORE...

1895 - North Brookfield
North Brook'field, a post-village in North Brookfield township, Worcester co., Mass., about 15 miles W. of Worcester, and 3 miles N. of the Boston & Albany Railroad. It contains 4 churches, a public library, a savings bank, and a shoe-manufactory. Pop, of the township in 1880, 4459; in 1890, 3871. A railroad connects this place with East Brookfield on the Boston & Albany Railroad.
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
North Brookfield, a banking post-village in North Brookfield township (town), Worcester co., Mass., about 15 miles W. of Worcester on the Boston and Albany R. It has boot and shoe-industries. Pop. of the town in 1900, 4587.
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

1907 - TWO DAVIS BOYS DROWNED.
Arthur and Wilbur, Aged 11 and 15, Lose Lives in North Brookfield.

Two sons of Noah Davis were drowned in the ice pond of J. D. Merrill at Waite Corner in North Brookfield yesterday afternoon at 1:30. The younger, Arthur Lytton, 11, and the older, Wilbur Phillips, 15, in company with Alfred Phreschner, a boarder in the family, started to go swimming at 12:30, after eating a hearty dinner. They arrived at the pond, over half a mile away, and undressed in the bushes some distance from the pond, and the two Davis boys were more rapid in undressing than the other boy, so they ran on ahead, and when he started for the spot and arrived he found no evidence of their being about, and no ripples on the surface of the water. He had heard no outcry and was greatly alarmed. He at once went to the nearest farmhouse where he could find a telephone, and sent word to the village. Meanwhile the people in the vicinity gathered, on the spot, and with a boat Ansel Edwards, Harry Young, and George... Read MORE...

1938 - Floods
A nurse, Mrs. Linda Woodis, 41, of North Brookfield, was the eleventh victim of the New England floods. She was drowned when a dam burst at Doane's pond, Brookfield, Mass., burying an automobile under an avalanche of water. Her companion, Dr. Thomas J. O'Boyle, was rescued.
Ellensburg Daily Record
Ellensburg, Washington
September 21, 1938

Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in and around North Brookfield:
Quaboag Pond:

Enjoy a day of relaxation by the scenic Quaboag Pond. Bring a picnic, go fishing, or simply take a leisurely stroll along the shores.

Rock House Reservation:

If you're a nature enthusiast, explore Rock House Reservation, a beautiful nature reserve with hiking trails. The trails offer a mix of woodlands, fields, and scenic overlooks.

North Brookfield Town House:

Visit the historic North Brookfield Town House, a classic example of Greek Revival architecture. It's a great spot for history buffs and those interested in local architecture.

Dairy Queen:

Treat yourself to a delicious ice cream cone at the local Dairy Queen. It's a classic spot that's perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth on a warm day.

Gibson's Dairy Farm:

For a taste of rural life, head to Gibson's Dairy Farm. You can buy fresh produce, dairy products, and perhaps even enjoy a hayride if they offer one.

North Brookfield Railroad Depot:

History meets railroads at the North... Read MORE...