HOLBROOK, MASSACHUSETTS

'Holbrook' is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 10,785.

Contents

History

Geography

Demographics

Transportation

Notable natives/residents

Trivia

References

External links

History

Holbrook was first settled in 1710 as the southern part of Old Braintree, and was officially incorporated on February 29th, 1872, the last town created from the former lands of Braintree. It was formerly known as East Randolph, being divided from Randolph by track from the Old Colony Railroad line. It was named for benefactor Elisha N. Holbrook, who provided the town with the funds for the town hall and library upon incorporation.
The story of Holbrook's split from Randolph starts in 1871, when pressure had been building in East Randolph for an independent town. After a little "misunderstanding" (according to Randolph brethren, the Eastern group used rather stronger language) about the placement of a cupola on top of Stetson Hall as a vent for the gas lighting, the pot boiled over and East Randolph petitioned to be incorporated as a separate town. [1]

Geography

Holbrook is located at (42.148351, -71.010375).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.2 km² (7.4 mi²). 19.0 km² (7.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.67%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,785 people, 4,076 households, and 2,853 families residing in the town. The population density was 566.5/km² (1,466.7/mi²). There were 4,153 housing units at an average density of 218.2/km² (564.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.87% White, 3.99% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.
There were 4,076 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $54,419, and the median income for a family was $62,532. Males had a median income of $43,134 versus $35,305 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,379. About 4.3% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Holbrook is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air, and highway facilities. State Route 128 and Interstate Route 495 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.
Principal highways are State Routes 37 and 139, which intersect at the center of the town.
Commuter rail service to South Station, Boston, is available on the Middleboro line from the Holbrook/Randolph Rail Station located on the Holbrook/Randolph Town line and Union Street (Route 139). The MBTA Red Line is accessible in Braintree and Quincy.
Holbrook is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) which provides fixed route service to Quincy Adams, Quincy Center and Ashmont Stations. Holbrook is served by the 237 Bus from Quincy Center Station. The MBTA also provides THE RIDE, a paratransit service for the elderly and disabled.
Norwood Memorial Airport, a Reliever (RL) facility, is easily accessible. It has 2 asphalt runways 4,001'x 150' and 4,007'x 150'. However the majority of Holbrook residents use Logan International Airport for Air transportation.

Notable natives/residents

★ Elihu Adams - Brother of President John Adams and a Minuteman in the Continental Army

★ Andrew Card - Former White House Chief of Staff under George W. Bush (Jan. 20, 2001 - April 14, 2006)

★ Kevin Robert Hammond - Labor union leader

★ George Mason Lovering - Recipient of the Medal of Honor

★ James Joseph Mann - Professional baseball player

Trivia

★ Holbrook is the only town in the United States to be founded on a Leap Day (February 29, 1872).

★ Union Cemetery is the final resting place for several members of the famed 54th Massachusetts American Civil War infantry regiment.

References

External links

★ Holbrook on the South Shore Network

★ Holbrook Historical Society home page