Towns & Villages in Charles River Valley

Incorporated officially in 1713, the Town has experienced steady population growth since the end of World War II due to its proximity to Boston and Providence, Rhode Island .

What started as a small agricultural community expanded to include light industry, and the Town eventually established larger mills and factories to keep up with economic demand. The industrial expansion drove a housing production boom and established village centers around economic opportunity.

However, like in many New England towns, times and economic need changed and mills and their goods were no longer in demand. While many of the mills fell into disrepair or were destroyed by fire, some stand today to provide housing—the Sanford Textile Mill—or space for small businesses.

According to the 2009 Master Plan, Medway has evolved into a “bedroom community”, with many residents commuting to surrounding cities and towns for work. This was aided by the construction of I-495 in the 1960s and subsequent highways in the area that provided commuters easy access to nearby cities and towns.

MILLIS

Welcome to Millis, MA

The Town of Millis is located in western Norfolk County, Massachusetts, along the Charles River. Formerly an industrial town, today we are primarily a suburban community with rural areas remaining on our outskirts. Millis is bordered by Medway on the west, Holliston and Sherborn on the north, Medfield on the east, and Norfolk on the south. Millis is 26 miles southwest of Boston, 32 miles east of Worcester, and 32 miles north of Providence RI. Major roadways include Rt. 109 which connects east and west to state Rt. 128 (I-95) and I-495. Route 115 is the major north-south route through town. The center of town is located near the intersection of Rt. 109 (Main St.) and Rt. 115 (Plain St.). The total land area of the town is 12.16 square miles. Rail transit to Boston is available in the neighboring town of Norfolk and the nearby towns of Needham, Walpole and Franklin.

Millis was first settled in 1657 and was originally part of Dedham, Massachusetts until that town granted the lands of Millis, and other present day surrounding towns, 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 (present day Medway) and East Medway (present day Millis). Millis incorporated as a separate town on February 24, 1885. Millis is named after Lansing Millis, one of the founders of the town.

Medfield

Medfield is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,799 according to the 2020 United States Census. It is a community about 17 miles southwest of Boston, Massachusetts, which is a 40-minute drive to Boston’s financial district. Attractions include the Hinkley Pond and the Peak House.WikipediaCounty:NorfolkSettled:1649Incorporated:1651