Braggville, Massachusetts Explained

Official Name:Braggville, Massachusetts
Settlement Type:Village
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Massachusetts
Subdivision Type2:County
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Elevation M:91
Elevation Ft:298
Coordinates:42.1667°N -71.48°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:01746, 01757, 02053
Area Code:508
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:611657[1]

Braggville is a former postal village located in Massachusetts, now within the towns of Holliston in Middlesex County, Medway in Norfolk County and Milford in Worcester County. Though people had settled the land long before the incorporation of the town of Holliston, Braggville's unofficial history began on March 8, 1785, when Alexander Bragg purchased farmland there.[2] The village itself however, would be named for his nephew, Colonel Arial Bragg, Holliston's first shoe and boot maker as well as the agrarian community's first wholesale manufacturer.[3] Braggville was also the site of several quarries of Milford pink granite, which supplied buildings and railroad projects in the United States in the late 19th century.[4] After a century of economic prowess, the village fell into decline following the First World War.

Decline and obscurity

With the emergence of the Post–World War I recession much of the town's business came to a standstill. By March 1919, the Boston and Albany Railroad had ceased providing passenger service to the Braggville station, as well as all freight service. Although its schoolhouse would remain standing for several more decades, the end of Braggville as a would-be town came in June 1919, when the U.S. Mail shuttered its post office.[5]

Geography

Braggville does not have official borders defined by the United States Census Bureau, and throughout its history has held nebulous boundaries. The U.S. Geological Survey places it as a populated place solely in the town of Holliston, however historical accounts describe it as partially extending into Milford and Medway[1] [6] [7]

It is located 25.2miles west of Boston and is adjacent to Interstate 495. Massachusetts Route 16 passes through the village, bisecting it almost evenly.

Adjacent towns

Braggville is located in eastern Massachusetts, and bordered by:

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. 611657. Braggville, Massachusetts. July 3, 2015.
  2. A. Bragg, 7-8.
  3. Walker, 481.
  4. Book: Bragg . Ernest A . History Of Braggville Section of Holliston, Medway and Milford . 1958 . Boston . 6115177. 13. July 3, 2015.
  5. News: Town to Lose Postoffice. 8. June 29, 1919. El Paso Herald. El Paso, TX. https://web.archive.org/web/20150703033154/http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88084272/1919-06-28/ed-1/seq-8.pdf. July 3, 2015. July 3, 2015. "Braggville, Mass., June 28.— This town has lost its postoffice because no one will be postmaster without having two or three other jobs. They say they cannot live on the small salary of the position and the postoffice department will not allow 'outside work.' Acting postmaster Mather upon instructions from the postoffice department closed the office for good. Braggville lost its freight and railroad station three months ago.".
  6. E. Bragg, The origin and growth..., 33.
  7. Book: Mason . Orion T . The Handbook of Medway History; A Condensed History of the Town of Medway, Massachusetts . 1913 . G.M. Billings, Printer . Medway, Massachusetts . July 2, 2015. 85. "Great West Woods.— The forest originally extending from Summer street to Milford and Braggville.".