Millis, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Millis, Massachusetts | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Norfolk County |
| Settled | 1657 |
| Incorporated | 1885 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Open town meeting |
| Area | |
| - Town | 12.3 sq mi (31.8 km²) |
| - Land | 12.2 sq mi (31.5 km²) |
| - Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Elevation | 163 ft (50 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Town | 7,902 |
| - Density | 650.0/sq mi (251.0/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 02054 |
| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 |
| Website: http://www.millis.org/ | |
Millis is a town in Norfolk County, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is a small town with a population of 7,902 people according to the 2000 census. The town is approximately 30 miles southwest of Boston and is bordered by Norfolk, Sherborn, Holliston, Medfield, and Medway. Massachusetts state routes 109 and 115 run through Millis.
For geographic and demographic information on the village of Millis-Clicquot, please see the article Millis-Clicquot, Massachusetts.
Contents |
[edit] History
Millis was first settled in 1657 and was officially incorporated in 1885. Millis was originally part of Dedham, Massachusetts until that town granted the lands of Medway and Millis to Medfield in 1651. In 1713, pioneers of Medfield applied for a grant to create a new town and, when approved, named this new land Medway. This new town consisted of West Medway (the present day town) and East Medway (present day Millis). Lansing Millis, the founder of the town, successfully incorporated Millis into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 24, 1885.
Lansing Millis was successful in turning the small town of Millis into an important area of Massachusetts. Lansing Millis helped to strengthen the railroad station and infrastructure that runs through the town all the way to Boston, and promoted industrial growth in the town, most famously through his establishment of Clicquot Club. Another very important industry in Millis at the time was the Herman Shoe Company.
[edit] Notable Sites
One of the most important sites in Millis is Richardson’s Tavern, which was built around 1720. This tavern accommodated George Washington for lunch on his way to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1775. It is rumored that Nathan Hale and the Marquis de Lafayette also stopped at the tavern to dine.
Millis’ cemetery, called Prospect Hill Cemetery, is home to the grave of Christian Herter, the United States Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Secretary Herter lived on a large farm on Causeway Street in Millis and, it is rumored, when summoned to Washington, D.C., he left his farm directly by helicopter to Logan International Airport.
Millis is perhaps most famous for its role as the home of Clicquot Club, the company responsible for the first bottling of Ginger Ale and other sodas in the United States of America. The company was established on this site due to the plentiful amount of ginger growing in the area. The company lasted strongly until the mid-1900s, when it was acquired by Canada Dry in 1965.
[edit] King Philip's War
The history of Millis is closely tied with King Philip's War of 1675 to 1676. On February 21, 1676, Native Americans killed 17 Medfield citizens and destroyed half of the town (32 houses, two mills, and many barns). Immediately after this attack, the Native Americans under King Philip (Metacom) fled to Millis where they held a grand feast. This spot is marked by “The King Phillip Trees”, which are two hundred year old trees protected by the Millis Historical Society. The next day, on February 22, the Native American forces led an offensive against the Fayerbanke Palisades at Boggestowe Farms, which are in present-day Millis. This attack was repulsed, as well as a second attack, which occurred on May 6.
[edit] Geography
The town of Millis has a very rural feel. There are many areas of town administered land, which helps to protect the environment and limit development. In addition, Millis has several wells and is home to various large farms.
The Charles River runs through Millis and the town has other smaller streams and brooks; most notably Bogastowe Brook. Boggestowe Brook, named after the Indian tribe formerly inhabiting the area, rises in East Holliston and runs through Millis, emptying in Millis’ South End Pond.
Millis is also home to the Great Black Swamp. This swamp, covering hundreds of acres, is a very important characteristic of Millis. This swamp geographically divides Millis from its neighboring town Medway, and is a significant factor in the separation of the two towns in 1885.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 31.8 km² (12.3 mi²). Of this, 31.5 km² (12.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.90%) is water.
[edit] Education
The Millis educational system is served by Clyde F. Brown Elementary School and Millis Middle/High School. The Millis public school system is the smallest public school system in the state of Massachusetts. In 2005, the graduating class of Millis High School was 73 students. In 1999, Millis Middle/High School underwent a complete renovation, costing millions of dollars.
The Millis Public Library is the only library in the town and is part of the Minuteman Library Network.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 7,902 people, 3,004 households, and 2,162 families residing in the town. The population density was 250.9/km² (650.0/mi²). There were 3,066 housing units at an average density of 97.4/km² (252.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.94% White, 0.71% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population. The ethnic make-up of the town is diverse. The four largest ethnicities reported in the town are 29% Irish, 16% Italian, 11% English, and 7% German. There are many other smaller percentages of several ethnic groups, such as Arab, French, Scottish, Greek, and Russian, among others.[1]
There were 3,004 households out of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $62,806, and the median income for a family was $72,171. Males had a median income of $51,250 versus $35,556 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,957. About 3.0% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Notable Residents
- Peter Harkey, contestant of CBS Primetime show Survivor, Season 4.
- Christian Herter, U.S. Secretary of State under Dwight D. Eisenhower.
- John Kerry, U.S. Senator. Senator Kerry lived in Millis until the age of 7, when the family moved to Washington, D.C..
- Misha, author. Misha is a Holocaust survivor who now lives in Millis. She is famous for her book Misha: A Memoire of the Holocaust Years.
[edit] Trivia
- Millis is the home of the nationally famous "Millis Lights". The "Millis Lights" are a display of Christmas decorations and lights on the 40-acre Causeway Street estate of Kevin Meehan, the owner of several car dealerships. In 2004, Al Roker traveled to Millis for a segment centered around the "Millis Lights". After the publicity of the The Today Show, an estimated 7,000 cars traveled to the "Millis Lights" daily during the Christmas season.[2]
- On Sunday, July 4, 2004, the CBS show CBS Sunday Morning aired a segment on the upcoming Presidential Election between George W. Bush and John Kerry. In this segment, Millis was featured as John Kerry's hometown. Jeffery Hardin, a Millis Selectman, was interviewed.[3]
[edit] External links
- Town of Millis
- Sikh Temple on Village Street Est. 1970.
