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Chartered in 1656, the
Town of Bridgewater Massachusetts historically flourished as an industrial
and agricultural center within Southeastern Massachusetts. The raising
of livestock and crop cultivation on farms comprising several hundred acres
were common in the outlying areas of the community. As early as the 18th
century, foundries were operating along the northern periphery of the downtown
where iron forgings for the Revolutionary and Civil Wars were produced.
A century later, shoe, nail and brick manufacturing emerged in the area,
employing hundreds of former agricultural workers from nearby farms or
immigrants from distant lands.
The historic character of the community
is largely preserved in the Federal, Italianate and Greek revival commercial
and civic structures surrounding the central common. Landscaping on the
common and elsewhere in the downtown is meticulously maintained by the
Bridgewater Improvement Association, a non-profit organization devoted
to the beautification of the community. The downtown remains a vital center
of community life where such activities as autumn and Christmas holiday
festivals are conducted each year.
Bridgewater today is a growing community
of over 20,000. Its central location at the interchange of Route 24 and
Interstate 495 provides convenient access to Boston, Providence and Cape
Cod. The town also carries the distinction of hosting the oldest and largest
state college and correctional institution in Massachusetts. This rich
history and diversity of activities has made Bridgewater an attractive
place to residents and businesses alike.
Bridgewater Massachusetts is located
in Southeastern Massachusetts, bordered by East Bridgewater and West Bridgewater
on the north, Halifax on the east, Middleborough on the south, and Raynham
on the west. Bridgewater is 8 miles south of Brockton; 27 miles south of
Boston. |