Post Office

Post Office facilities were established in Ashland, when the village was still known by the name of Unionville, in 1835. The business center was then apparently on the north end of Main Street, for it was in a mill store at that location that the first post office was established. That was on January 7, 1835. The office remained in that […]

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The Town Poor

The problem of providing a suitable town farm or almshouse for the poor arose shortly after Ashland was incorporated. For its first few years the town followed the common practice of “letting out” the paupers to the lowest bidders. However, in December, 1855 there appeared in the warrant for the town meeting an article relative to the purchase of a […]

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The Leland Block

Last month’s visit with the I.O.O.F stirred quite a few memories with some of the more established residents of Ashland (I wouldn’t dare say older). Thank you for your contributions and recollections. The Historical Society now has items donated that create a more complete picture of the organization, as well as providing a clearer path for researchers in the future. […]

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The Thomas Eames House

We are all familiar with the “Entering Ashland” signs as we cross over from Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Southboro or Sherborn but the one thing that stands out is our incorporation date of 1846. As a community we are the youngest. Made up of equal parts of Hopkinton and Framingham to the east and west, and a smaller portion of Holliston […]

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311 Pleasant Street

Living in New England we are constantly surrounded by history in one form or another. Often it is a notable individual, or event, but many times it is a place. Ashland is rich with historic places. Pout Rock, the Witches Caves, Magunko Hill, Workmen’s Circle, all these places we have visited and more. We also have had our share of […]

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Then and Now

I thought it would be fun to spend some time visiting places in town that either no longer exist, or have changed significantly over the years. These places are in no particular order or timeframe, and many have come from townsfolk like you who’ve asked, “Do you remember…?” Romeo’s Plaza, located on Union St. (Rt. 135) between Metropolitan Ave. and […]

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St. Cecilia’s

A lot has been written about St. Cecilia’s church and the many parishioners and clergy over the years. Equally of course, can be said of all the religious organizations in town, but today I would like to visit Esty Street. At a time when there wasn’t instant access to news or entertainment, Ashland residents relied upon community gatherings to visit, […]

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