History of Brockton, Massachusetts, USA

1700 - Brockton is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1821 - North Bridgewater is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1854 - North Bridgewater
North Bridgewater, a flourishing post- village of Plymouth co., Massachusetts, on the Fall River railroad, 21 miles S. from Boston. It contains 8 or 4 churches, and a newspaper office. Population of the town ship, 3940.
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.

1874 - The Brockton Fair was established in 1874.

1874 - North Bridgewater is renamed Brockton

1879 - SMOTHERED IN GRAIN.
A terrible accident took place in the grain and flour mill of Allis Packard at Brockton, Mass., on the 5th inst., in which A. A. NOURSE, DENNIS LYNCH and DENNIS REARDON lost their lives by suffocation.
The men had been at work on the second floor of the building shoveling corn, and at the time of the accident had transferred about 5,000 bushels from the elevator to the floor where it lay in bulk.
Suddenly without the slightest warning the timbers and flooring gave way and the men were precipitated about twenty feet in the cellar and smothered by three thousand bushels of corn, which fell with them.
Stevens Point Daily Journal
Wisconsin
December 13, 1879

Brockton became a city on April 9, 1881

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

Brockton Massachusetts, 1890
BROCKTON is a very enterprising and thrifty city, occupying the northwest extremity of Plymouth County, and having Stoughton, Avon and Holbrook on the north, Abington, Whitman and East Bridgewater on the east, West Bridgewater on the south and Easton on the west. It is 20 miles south of Boston, on the Old Colony Railroad, which has a fine station house at Brockton (centre), one at Montello, two miles north, and another at Campello one mile south of the Brockton station. Territorially, its greatest length is about one and a half miles from east to west, and five miles from north to south. The assessed area is 14948 acres; and of this 2,965 are woodland.

The villages are Brockton, Brockton Heights, Campello and Factory Village; the first and third being the post-offices. The central portion of the territory is quite level, and contains the two principal villages; but rises on the east in Carey's and Tower's hills, from both of which there is a pleasing view of the village; and... Read MORE...

1895 - Brockton
Brock'ton, formerly North Bridgewater, a city of Plymouth co, Mass, on the Old Colony Railroad, 20 miles S. of Boston. It has 19 churches, 2 national banks, a saving-bank, 2 daily and 2 weekly newspapers. It is almost unrivalled as a boot and shoe manufacturing centre, and also has extensive manufactures of wood and paper boxes, shoe-tools, rubber goods, electrical supplies, and tacks and mails. Pop, in 1890,27,294.
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

1905 - EXPLOSION KILLS 53; MANY ARE MISSING. Brockton Shoe Factory Collapses When Boiler Explodes. RUINS BURST INTO FLAME.
Heroic Deeds by Rescuers and by Pinioned Victims Calmly Awaiting Their Doom.

Special to The New York Times.
BROCKTON, Mass., March 21. - The city is in mourning for fifty-three of her citizens whose lives were blotted out early today by the explosion of a boiler in a large shoe manufacturing establishment in the Campello district, conducted by the R B. Grover Company.

At 2:30 o'clock this morning the bodies of fifty-three persons have been recovered from the ruins of the factory. Seven bodies have been identified, but only three or four positively. Fifty-three persons are known to be missing, the names of thirty-one of whom have been obtained. Many others are reported missing, but it is considered probable that some of them are at their homes in near-by towns.
Of the survivors 253 have been accounted for. The estimates of the dead range from sixty to eighty and of the injured from fifty to one hundred. Many persons not seriously hurt went to their homes and did not report... Read MORE...

1916
Brockton, formerly North Bridgewater, a city of Plymouth co., Mass., on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 20 miles S. of Boston. It is almost unrivalled as a boot and shoe manufacturing centre, and also has extensive manufactures of wood and paper boxes, shoe- tools, rubber goods, sewing-machines, pianos, etc. Pop. in 1890, 27,294 ; in 1900. 40,063.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1941 - TWELVE FIREMEN DIE AT BROCKTON. 16 OTHERS ARE HURT WHEN ROOF CAVES IN DURING THEATER FIRE. PRIEST TRAVERSES BURNING BUILDING IN BORROWED HELMET AND COAT TO GIVE DOOMED MEN LAST RITES.
Brockton, March 10 (AP) - Twelve firemen were killed and 16 injured early today when the snow-laden roof of the 30-year-old Strand theater collapsed during a fire which destroyed the building.

Firemen and police, poking through the smouldering mass of metal, wood and plaster uncovered 11 bodies by 9 a. m. and continued searching.

The known dead were:
Captain JOHN F. CARROLL, 52, Ladder Company 3.
Firefighter WILLIAM J. MURPHY, 25, Squad A.
Firefighter DANIEL C. O'BRIEN, 45, Squad A.
Firefighter HENRY E. SULLIVAN, 45, Engine Company 1.
Firefighter JOHN MALCOLM McNEIL, 40, Ladder Company 1.
Firefighter MATTHEW E. McGEARY, 48, Ladder Company 3.
Lieutenant RAYMOND A. MITCHELL, Engine Company 4.
Firefighter DENIS P. MURPHY, Squad A.
Firefighter ROY A. McKERAGHAN, Squad A.
Firefighter GEORGE A. COLLINS, Engine Company 1.
Firefighter FREDERICK F. KELLEY, Engine Company 1.
Firefighter MARTIN LIPPER, Engine Company 1.
Firefighter BARTHOLOMEW HERLIHY, Ladder Company... Read MORE...

2023 - Brockton, Massachusetts has a lot to offer! Here's a diverse list of places to go and things to do in and around the town:
Brockton Historical Society and Museum:

Explore the rich history of Brockton through exhibits and artifacts.

D.W. Field Park:

Enjoy the outdoors with a visit to this expansive park, featuring walking trails, a golf course, and scenic picnic spots.

Fuller Craft Museum:

Appreciate contemporary craft and art at this museum, showcasing works in various mediums.

Rocky Marciano Stadium:

If you're a sports enthusiast, catch a game or event at this stadium named after the legendary boxer, Rocky Marciano.

Campanelli Stadium:

Home to the Brockton Rox, catch a baseball game and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

The Shaw's Center:

This multipurpose venue hosts concerts, expos, and sporting events. Check the schedule for any events during your visit.

Westgate Mall:

For shopping and dining, head to Westgate Mall, a popular destination for locals.

Brockton Fire Museum:

Learn about the history of firefighting in Brockton at this museum dedicated to the city's... Read MORE...