Know Natick History

Check out these highlighted stories to gain a glimpse into Natick’s notable past.

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In the 1850s, the men and women of Natick were making nearly 1,300,000 pairs of shoes and boots each year.

Rev. Daniel Takawampbait (c1654-1716) was a central figure in the religious life of Natick, leading the Christian fellowship and the Natick church in the years after the death of John Eliot.

Harwood Baseball Factory

The first baseball factory in America was built on Walnut Street in 1858 by Harrison Harwood.

South Natick Dam

A history of the Charles River dam in South Natick, researched by Wellesley College student Charlotte Diamant.

Natick Fair Housing Practices Committee

The Natick Fair Housing Practices Committee was founded in 1956 in order to combat discrimination against families of color in Natick’s housing market.

Natick Cobbler and Vice President Henry Wilson

Henry Wilson’s “ten-footer” shoe workshop, on the National Register of Historic Places.

Plains and Hills, Pathways and Roads

Ancient pathways of the Algonquian Indians navigated the plains and hills of Natick, including Pegun Plain, Broad's Hill and Train's Hill. The patterns are still visible today.

In Search of the Saxonville Railroad

The Saxonville Railroad opened on July 6, 1846 and brought many changes to Natick’s economy and culture.

Historic Houses

A list of surviving historic 18th-century houses still standing in Natick today.

The Algonquian and English Roots of Natick

Natick and other "Praying Indian Towns" were founded by Rev. John Eliot, a Puritan missionary who preached for more than 20 years to the Algonquians of the Nipmuc, Massachusett, and Wampanoag tribes.

Carling Brewery

Natick had a beer brewery on the shores of Lake Cochituate for several decades.

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