Tri-Towns Information

 

Information, phone numbers and addresses on our Tri-Town’s (Foxborough, Mansfield and Norton) for Schools, Town and Community Groups.

 

History of Foxborough

A 300-acre farm was plotted by Captain William Hudson in 1669, and in that year Hudson erected the first dwelling in what was to become Foxborough. The farm was in the vicinity of Wading River and encompassed land around what is now South and Cedar streets. It also skirted the edge of Lake Mirimichi and extended into Plainville.

 

Having a farm built on the property, Hudson became the first white settler to leave his imprint on what would eventually become Foxborough. However, it is believed that Hudson never lived on the property but rather leased it for a profit. For that reason, he can hardly be considered the first settler in the new territory; although he did begin the process that directly led to the presence of the area’s first homeowner. The home near Wading River was first leased to Richard George and later to John Daniell, who both worked the farm while living there.

 

In July of 1670, Squamaug, chief of the Ponkapoags, and King Philip Sachem of the Wampanoags met on Hudson’s property to settle the boundaries of their tribal lands. Those same boundaries would set the limits of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Plymouth Colony, which are the present boundaries of Norfolk and Bristol counties and the towns of Foxborough and Mansfield.

 

Foxborough was officially incorporated as a town in 1778 and was named in honor of Charles Fox, a member of the British Parliament who supported the colonists.

 

Other notable years in Foxborough’s history are 1798, the year Eunice Everett made her first straw hat, which lead to the nickname “Straw Hat Capital of the World”; and 1971, the year that construction began on Foxboro Stadium.

 

Foxborough is known for Gillette Stadium and the five time Super Bowl Champions, the New England Patriots, the new England Revolution Soccer Team and the Orpheum Theater that recreate many Broadway productions.

 

Town of Foxborough

The Town of Foxborough is run by a five-member Board of Selectmen, whose members are elected by the voters of the town on a staggered basis to three-year terms. There is an election held every year, with two members being elected each time, except for a year when one person is elected.

 

Foxborough employs a professional Town Administrator who has full administrative authority and carries out the decisions made by the Board of Selectmen. This Board of Selectmen is the chief policy-making body for the municipal government, except on school matters.

 

www.foxboroughmaonline.com

• Emergency     911

• Clerk  508-543-1208

• Fire 508-543-1230

• Health  508-543-1207

• Highway  508-543-1228

• Library     508-543-1245

• Planning  508-543-1250

• Police  508-543-4343

• Recreation  508-543-7255

• Schools   508-543-1660

• Town Hall  508-543-1200

• Water  508-543-1209

 

Town Hall is located at 40 South Street, Foxborough, MA 02035

 

Foxborough Public Schools

The town of Foxborough is served by a public-school district consisting of three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

 

www.foxborough.k12.ma.us

Administrative Offices  508-543-1660

• Burrell Elementary: 16 Morse St.  508-543-1605

• Igo Elementary: 70 Carpenter St. 508-543-1680

• Taylor Elementary: 196 South St.  508-543-1607

• Ahern Middle School: 111 Mechanic St.  508-543-1610

• Foxborough High School: 120 South St.  508-543-1616

 

Charter School

• Foxborough Charter School:  131 Central Street, Foxboro, MA 02035  508-543-2508

  www.foxboroughrcs.org

 

 

 

History of Mansfield

Along with Easton, Mansfield was formed from a section of Norton. What was to become Mansfield was first surveyed by Captain Miles Standish in 1640. After permanent settlement began in the 1680s, the area grew into a hunting, fishing and livestock-grazing center.

 

Mansfield was incorporated as a town in 1775 and got its name from William Murray, who was England’s Earl of Mansfield at the time. The town’s colonial economy was founded on agriculture and iron work, and in the early 1800s a growing industrial base included hat manufacturers, cotton mills, machine foundries and tack factories.

 

The mining of coal also played a key role in Mansfield’s development, which increased when the two rail lines, the Boston to Providence Railroad and the Old Colony Line, came on board. This established Mansfield as an industrial railroad town.

 

The Mansfield Board of Trade was formed by town fathers in 1892 following an overall decline in rail freight, and this board played a key role in bringing the jewelry industry to Mansfield to assist in revitalizing the area economy.

 

The early 1900s saw Walter Lowney construct the Lowney Chocolate Factory, which later became Mercken’s Chocolate and is now a subsidiary of ADM Foods.

 

The construction of Interstate 95 in the early 1960s and I-495 in the 1970s led to the development of what is now Cabot Business Park, which was accompanied by new home construction.

 

Town of Mansfield

The Town of Mansfield is run by a five-member Board of Selectmen, whose members are elected by the voters of the town on a staggered basis to three-year terms. There is an election held every year, with two members being elected each time, except for a year when one person is elected.

 

Mansfield employs a professional Town Manager who has full administrative authority and carries out the decisions made by the Board of Selectmen. This Board of Selectmen is the chief policy-making body for the municipal government, except on school matters.

 

www.mansfieldma.com

• Emergency    911

• Clerk 508-261-7345

• Fire  508-261-7320

• Health     508-261-7366

• Highway  508-261-7335

• Library     508-261-7380

• Planning  508-261-7368

• Police     508-261-7300

• Recreation  508-261-7460

• Schools  508-261-7500

• Town Hall  508-261-7370

• Water     508-261-7330

 

Town Hall is located at Six Park Row Mansfield, MA 02048

 

Public Schools

Mansfield is served by a public-school district consisting of a preschool, two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

 

www.mansfieldschools.com.

Administrative Offices are at 2 Park Row  508-261-7500

• Roland Green Preschool:  29 Dean Street  508-261-1561

• Robinson Elementary:  245 East Street  508-261-7513

• Jordan/Jackson Elementary:  265 East Street  508-261-7525

• Qualters Middle School:  240 East Street  508-261-7530

• Mansfield High School:  250 East St Street  508-261-7540

 

Private Schools

• Al-Noor Academy:  20 Church Street,  Mansfield, MA 02048  508-261-7077

  www.anahs.org

• St. Mary’s Catholic School (Grades K-8) 330 Pratt Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 508-339-4800

  www.stmarymansschool.org

 

 

History of Norton

Norton was originally part of the Taunton North Purchase and at one point included the areas now known as Mansfield and Easton. As an increasing number of families settled in the area of what is now Norton, the residents developed a desire to form their own distinct town, and in 1709 the area became known as the North Precinct of Taunton.

 

In 1711 Norton was officially incorporated under that name, and shortly thereafter the town built its first church on the Norton Common. Later on, Mansfield and Easton were formed from the north and east sections of Norton, which gradually transitioned from a rural agricultural community into a town of small mills, industries, and businesses.

 

A woman who committed her life to the advancement of education for women, Eliza Baylies Chapin Wheaton founded Wheaton Seminary in 1834. The seminary became a women’s college in 1912. Operating as a private, coeducational liberal-arts college since 1987, Wheaton is located in the center of town and resembles a traditional New England common. www.wheatoncollege.edu

 

The construction of I-95 and I-495 in the ’60s and ’70s, respectively, positioned Norton for further growth. The town now boasts one of the fastest-growing populations in the region.

 

It is also home to the Arnold Palmer-designed PGA TPC Club of Boston Golf Course and the Massachusetts Golf Association’s Headquarters, Museum, and Hall of Fame.

 

Town of Norton

The Town of Norton is run by a five-member Board of Selectmen, whose members are elected by the voters of the town on a staggered basis to three-year terms. There is an election held every year, with two members being elected each time, except for a year when one person is elected.

 

Norton employs a professional Town Manager who has full administrative authority and carries out the decisions made by the Board of Selectmen. This Board of Selectmen is the chief policy-making body for the municipal government, except on school matters.

 

www.nortonma.org

• Emergency   911

• Clerk  508- 285-0230

• Fire   508-285-0240

• Health  508-285-0260

• Highway   508-285-0260

• Library  508-285-0265

• Planning  508-285-0278

• Police  508-285-3300

• Recreation  508-285-0228

• Schools  508-285-0228

• Town Hall  508-285-0200

• Water     508-285-0280

 

Town Hall:  70 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766

 

Public Schools

The town of Norton is served by a public-school system that consists of three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. www.nortonma.org/schools. Administrative Offices 508-285-0100

• L.G. Nourse Elementary:  38 Plain Street  508-285-0110

• J.C. Solmonese Elementary:  315 West Main Street  508-285-0120

• H.A. Yelle Elementary:  64 West Main Street  508-285-0190

• Norton Middle School: 70 East Main Street  508-285-0140

• Norton High School: 70 East Main Street  508-285-0140

 

Tri-Town Area Real Estate

Whether you’re seeking a lot in a traditional neighborhood, a new single-family home, a custom home, or a Cape Cod cottage, Tri-Town has something for you. There are 1890s Victorians and stately Colonials, along with condominium developments for individuals age 55 and over. There are also assisted-living facilities with all the amenities.

 

Foxborough is especially noted for its many state parks, which complement the well-planned neighborhoods.

 

Mansfield is especially noted for a love of the arts, as shown at The Xfinity Center, an award-winning, open-air amphitheater located on South Main Street as well as Mass Music and Arts Society (MMAS) and the Black Box Theater.

 

Norton is home to Wheaton College, which hosts 1,550 students when school is in session. This makes Norton the quintessential college town.The town also has a big-time sports feel about it when the TPC of Boston hosts the Deutsche Bank Championship tournament.

 

Transportation

The Tri-Town Area is at the crossroads of two major highways, I-95 and I-495, and enjoys the advantages that accompany a location near major metropolitan areas.

 

Air travel is available to the U.S. and overseas. Logan (Boston) and Green (Warwick, Rhode Island) airports within 25 miles and a municipal airport in Mansfield can handle corporate and private planes.

 

The “T” commuter-rail service arrives and departs from Mansfield Station on a regular schedule dozens of times a day and conveniently connects with Boston and Providence for an estimated 2,200 daily commuters. The same track is part of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and runs daily to Boston, Providence, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

 

Air travel is available through Logan International Airport in Boston with direct U.S. flights and overseas arrivals and departures. T.F. Green State Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, offers connecting and direct flights to major destinations.

 

The Mansfield Municipal Airport is closer to home and can handle corporate and private planes with a runway of 3,500 feet.

 

Transportation Telephone Numbers

• Amtrak — 800-872-7245

• Logan International Airport — 800-235-6426

• T.F. Green State Airport — 401-737-4000

• MBTA Commuter Rail — 617-222-3200

  www.mbta.com, go to Commuter Rails, Attleboro/Stoughton Lines

• Mansfield Municipal Airport — 508-339-3624

Places of Worship

A rich diversity of worship choices exists in this New England community, where many residents are descendants of the first settlers who arrived seeking a place to practice the religion of their choice. Modern and traditional congregations meet in both new and old structures.

 

Community Groups and Organizations

A community group or organization is the perfect place to meet and interact while also helping the Tri-Town community.

 

Offerings in Foxborough include the Foxboro Rotary Club, Foxboro Jaycees, Foxboro Lions Club, Founders Day Committee, Foxborough Senior Center, the Foxborough Discretionary Fund, and the Hockomock Area YMCA, www.hockymca.org.

 

Offerings in Mansfield include the Mansfield Rotary Club, West Side Benevolent, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, Mansfield Women of Today, Mansfield Council on Aging, the Mansfield Lions Club, and the Hockomock Area YMCA, www.hockymca.org.

 

Offerings in Norton include the Norton Women of Today and the Norton Lions Club.