Braintree, Massachusetts Explained

Braintree, Massachusetts
Official Name:Town of Braintree
Mapsize:250px
Coordinates:42.206°N -71.005°W
Pushpin Map:USA
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Braintree in the United States
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Norfolk
Established Title:Settled
Established Date:[1]
Established Title1:Colonized
Established Date1:[2]
Established Title2:Incorporated (town)
Established Date2:[3]
Established Title3:Incorporated (city)
Established Date3:[4]
Government Type:Mayor–council
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Erin Joyce
Area Total Km2:37.72
Area Total Sq Mi:14.56
Area Land Km2:35.64
Area Land Sq Mi:13.76
Area Water Km2:2.08
Area Water Sq Mi:0.80
Population As Of:2020
Settlement Type:City
Population Total:39143
Population Density Km2:1098.16
Population Density Sq Mi:2844.28
Elevation M:27
Elevation Ft:90
Timezone:Eastern
Utc Offset:−5
Timezone Dst:Eastern
Utc Offset Dst:−4
Postal Code Type:ZIP Code
Postal Code:02184/02185 (Braintree Highlands)
Area Code:339 / 781
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:25-07740, 25-07665
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0618316
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[5]

Braintree, officially the Town of Braintree, is a municipality in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It is officially known as a town,[6] but Braintree is a city with a mayor-council form of government, and it is considered a city under Massachusetts law.[7] The population was 39,143 at the 2020 census.[8] It is part of the Greater Boston area with access to the MBTA Red Line and is a member of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council's South Shore Coalition.[9] The first mayor of Braintree was Joe Sullivan, who served until January 2020. The current mayor of Braintree is Erin Joyce who was elected in 2023, defeating incumbent Charles Kokoros.[10] [11]

Braintree is named after Braintree, Essex, in England. The town was chartered in 1640. Later, some sections of Braintree formed separate municipalities: Quincy (1792), Randolph (1793), and Holbrook (1872).

History

Braintree was colonized in 1635 and incorporated in 1640.[3] The town is named after the Essex town of Braintree. Its boundaries initially were larger, but some portions were split into the municipalities of Quincy (incorporated in 1792), Randolph (1793), and Holbrook (1872).[12] Braintree was part of Suffolk County until the formation of Norfolk County in 1793.[13]

In 1888, the villages of Braintree and South Braintree were separate communities within the town of Braintree.[14]

In 1920, Braintree was the site of the murders that led to the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti. During that same decade, the town's population grew by more than 50%.[15]

Geography

Braintree shares borders with Quincy to the north, Randolph to the west (separated by the Cochato River), Holbrook to the south, and Weymouth to the east.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.5 square miles (37.6 km2), of which 13.9 square miles (36.0 km2) is land and 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) is water. The total area is 4.34% water

Park and recreation locations in Braintree include Pond Meadow Park, Sunset Lake, and Blue Hills Reservation.

Climate

Braintree has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with some maritime influence. Summers are typically warm to hot, rainy, and humid, while winters oscillate between periods of cold rain and snow, with cold temperatures. Spring and fall are usually mild, with varying conditions dependent on wind direction and jet stream positioning. Prevailing wind patterns that blow offshore minimize the influence of the Atlantic Ocean.

The hottest month is July, with a mean temperature of 69.7°F. The coldest month is January, with a mean of 25.7°F. Periods exceeding 90°F in summer and below freezing in winter are not uncommon but are rarely extended, with about 13 and 25 days per year seeing each, respectively. The city's average window for freezing temperatures is November 9 through April 5. Official temperature records have ranged from NaN°F in February 1934, up to 101°F in August 1949 and 1974.

Braintree's coastal location on the North Atlantic moderates its temperature, but makes the city very prone to nor'easter weather systems that can produce much snow and rain. The city averages 48.63inches of precipitation a year, with 61.1inches of snowfall per season. Snowfall increases dramatically as one goes inland away from the city (especially north and west of the city)—away from the moderating influence of the ocean.

Most snowfall occurs from December through March, as most years see no measurable snow in April and November, and snow is rare in May and October. There is also high year-to-year variability in snowfall; for instance, the winter of 2011−2012 saw only 24.21NaN1 of accumulating snow, but in the winter of 2014–2015, the figure was 150.8inches.

Fog is fairly common, particularly in spring and early summer, and the occasional tropical storm or hurricane can threaten the region, especially in late summer and early autumn. The last such storm to impact the city was Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Due to its situation along the North Atlantic, the city is often subjected to sea breezes, especially in the late spring, when water temperatures are still quite cold and temperatures at the coast can be more than 20F-change colder than locations a few miles inland, sometimes dropping by that amount near midday.

Thunderstorms occur from May to September and are occasionally severe, with large hail, damaging winds and heavy downpours. Although Braintree has never been struck by a violent tornado, the city has experienced many tornado warnings. Damaging storms are more common in areas north, west, and northwest of the city.

Demographics

See also: List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income. As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 33,828 people, 12,652 households, and 8,907 families residing in the town. The population density was 2434.4sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 12,973 housing units at an average density of 933.6sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the town was 93.96% White, 1.18% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 3.14% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.16% of the population. More than 46% of town residents had Irish ancestry. As of 2014 Braintree had the 2nd highest concentration of Irish Americans in the entire country, slightly behind Scituate, Massachusetts.[17]

There were 12,652 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $85,590, and the median income for a family was $90,590 as of a 2007 estimate[18]). Males had a median income of $89,607 versus $36,034 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,683. About 2.1% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Braintree is home to several large companies, including Altra Industrial Motion, Greater Media, and TopSource LLC.

From 1964 to 1991, Braintree was the location of the largest Valle's Steak House in the restaurant chain.[19] One of the chain's busiest locations, it was capable of serving over 5,000 customers per day.[20] In 1980, then presidential candidate Ronald Reagan made a campaign speech at a South Shore Chamber of Commerce luncheon held there.[21]

Arts and culture

Points of interest

Education

Braintree is home to various educational institutions, both private and public.

Public primary and secondary education

Public education at the primary and secondary levels is managed by Braintree Public Schools (BPS), a system that includes one kindergarten center, six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school.

Public high school

Public middle schools

Public elementary schools

Private and alternative education

Private and alternative education institutions in Braintree include Thayer Academy, Archbishop Williams High School, and CATS Academy.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Braintree is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has rail, air, and highway facilities. State Route 128 and Interstate 95 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.

Principal highways in Braintree are Interstate 93 (which runs concurrently with U.S. 1) and Route 3, as well as 37, and 53. Entering Braintree from the north, I-93, Route 1, and Route 3 all run concurrently as the Southeast Expressway from Boston; in Braintree they diverge, with Route 3 heading south toward Cape Cod as the Pilgrims Highway, and I-93 and Route 1 heading west toward Route 128.

Commuter rail service to South Station, Boston, is available on the Middleboro & Plymouth lines from the Braintree Red Line/Commuter Rail Station located on Union Street. The CapeFLYER rail service from Boston to Hyannis as well as Buzzards Bay stations also stops at Braintree Station. The MBTA Red Line is accessible at the same location. Weekday rail service on the Greenbush Line started in late 2007 and is accessible from the Weymouth Landing/East Braintree station on Quincy Avenue. In July 2017, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and other Baker administration transportation officials visited a construction project in the city to highlight $2.8 billion spent during Baker's administration on highway construction projects and improvements to bridges, intersections, and sidewalks.[22] [23] Freight Rail service is provided by Fore River Transportation Corporation, and CSX Transportation.

From 1948 to 1968, the town was the home of Braintree Airport, a general aviation airport located near Great Pond that was used by civil defense officials and private pilots. The airport featured a 2800feet dirt runway and offered flight training. Residential development, proximity to the town's water supply, and a number of accidents led to its closure in 1968.[24] [25]

Water and Sewer

In 2020, Braintree, together with Randolph, and Holbrook, formed a regional drinking water supply agency, which is called the Tri-Town Water Board. Braintree operates its own water treatment plant while a second treatment plant serves the Randolph-Holbrook Joint Water Board.[26]

Notable people

Filming locations

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Braintree Historical Society. Braintree Historical Society. 30 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20170312144830/https://sites.google.com/site/thebraintreehistoricalsociety/home. March 12, 2017. live. mdy-all.
  2. Web site: Town of Braintree Massachusetts: About Braintree. Town of Braintree. 7 April 2015. Braintree was founded on land first colonized in 1625 by Captain Wollaston, and initially named Mount Wollaston.. https://web.archive.org/web/20170119090749/http://www.townofbraintreegov.org/about_history.html. January 19, 2017. dead. mdy-all.
  3. Web site: Town of Braintree Massachusetts: About Braintree. Town of Braintree. 6 April 2015. Incorporated in 1640, Braintree has a rich history and a promising future.. https://web.archive.org/web/20170218092631/http://braintreema.gov/about.html. February 18, 2017. dead. mdy-all.
  4. News: Lambert . Lane . After 367 years, Braintree town government made a dramatic change . 21 November 2022 . The Patriot Ledger . 28 May 2015.
  5. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. May 21, 2022.
  6. Web site: Braintree, MA | Official Website. braintreema.gov.
  7. http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw05/sl050189.htm Braintree Town Charter
  8. Web site: Census - Geography Profile: Braintree Town city, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. September 29, 2021.
  9. Web site: MAPC South Shore Coalition. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927190440/http://www.mapc.org/metro_area/ssc.html. dead. September 27, 2007.
  10. Web site: The Patriot Ledger, 1/3/2008.
  11. Web site: Town of Braintree Massachusetts: Mayor. Town of Braintree. 6 April 2015. In November 2007, Joe Sullivan was elected as the first Mayor of Braintree and in November 2011, he was re-elected.. https://web.archive.org/web/20150221213823/http://www.braintreema.gov/mayor/mayor_bio.html. February 21, 2015. live. mdy-all.
  12. Web site: Town of Braintree Massachusetts: About Braintree. Town of Braintree. 7 April 2015. The area was resettled and incorporated as the town of Braintree in 1640, on land which is now part of the current town of Braintree, from which Randolph, Holbrook, the City of Quincy.. https://web.archive.org/web/20170119090749/http://www.townofbraintreegov.org/about_history.html. January 19, 2017. dead. mdy-all.
  13. Davis, William T. Bench and Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, p. 44. The Boston History Company, 1895.
  14. https://www.etsy.com/listing/664423409/villages-of-braintree-and-south Map of the Villages of Braintree and South Braintree
  15. Schaeffer, K. H. and Elliott Sclar. Access for All: Transportation and Urban Growth. Columbia University Press, 1980. Accessed on Google Books. 86. Retrieved on January 16, 2010., .
  16. Web site: U.S. Census website . . 2008-01-31 . mdy .
  17. News: Braintree Among Most Irish Towns in State. 2013-03-18. Braintree, MA Patch. 2017-03-11. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20170816233725/https://patch.com/massachusetts/braintree/braintree-among-the-most-irish-towns-in-state#.VDWcvBY0-5w. August 16, 2017. live. mdy-all.
  18. Web site: American FactFinder - Community Facts . Factfinder.census.gov . 2010-10-05 . 2017-07-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110606041432/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=06000US2502107665&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=braintree&_cityTown=braintree&_state=04000US25&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry= . June 6, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  19. "Largest Valle's Opens in Braintree" (May 8, 1964) The Boston Globe page A4
  20. Value, John B. (February 2, 1965) "They All Stay Trim Keeping Others Fed" The Boston Globe, page 21
  21. Tuoti, Gerard (June 11, 2004) "Ronald Reagan 1911-2004" The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, Mass), page 10.
  22. News: Whitfill. Mary. Gov. Baker visits Braintree bridge construction site. The Patriot Ledger. GateHouse Media. July 20, 2017. April 15, 2018. August 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200815043715/https://www.wickedlocal.com/news/20170720/gov-baker-visits-braintree-bridge-construction-site. dead.
  23. Web site: Baker-Polito Administration Highlights 90 Road and Bridge Projects Across 61 Northeast Massachusetts Communities. www.mass.gov. July 18, 2017. April 15, 2018. November 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201113170452/https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-highlights-90-road-and-bridge-projects-across-61-northeast. dead.
  24. Markman, Joseph (September 20, 2011) "Braintree's Expansion and Dangerous Flights Proved too Much for Old Airport" Braintree Patch. Retrieved November 4, 2013 http://braintree.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/braintrees-expansion-and-dangerous-flights-proved-too7efd537cc4
  25. Freeman, Paul "Braintree Airport, Braintree, Mass." Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields. Retrieved November 6, 2013 Web site: Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Massachusetts: Southeastern Boston area . 2013-12-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090530003241/http://www.airfields-freeman.com/MA/Airfields_MA_Boston_SE.html . May 30, 2009 . mdy-all .
  26. Web site: Tri-Town Board of Water Commissioners . Town of Braintree . 14 June 2021.
  27. Web site: Johnson. John. Braintree's Adam Gaudette a spark for surging Northeastern hockey team. The Boston Globe. March 11, 2017.
  28. Web site: Dynamic duo - Braintree, MA - Braintree Forum. July 9, 2019. February 9, 2013. https://archive.today/20130209110033/http://www.wickedlocal.com/braintree/news/x563240715?zc_p=2%23axzz2EUc92smK. dead.
  29. Book: Philbrick . Nathaniel . Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution . 2013 . Viking . New York, New York . 978-0-670-02544-2 . 274 . 18 July 2020.
  30. https://web.archive.org/web/20120109065838/http://thepulsenetwork.com/about/executive-team The Pulse Network – Executive Team
  31. Book: News in a New Century: Reporting in An Age of Converging Media - Jerry Lanson, Barbara Croll Fought - Google Books . 1999-01-14 . 9780761985068 . 2017-07-05. Lanson . Jerry . Fought . Barbara Croll . Pine Forge Press .
  32. Web site: "Donnie Wahlberg: Biography" The New York Times . February 6, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130615180435/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/216357/Donnie-Wahlberg/biography . June 15, 2013 . dead . Movies & TV Dept. . . 2013 . mdy-all .
  33. Web site: Bennetts, Leslie "Rogue Star" (August 2001) Vanity Fair . . February 7, 2011 . November 21, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121013123110/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2001/08/mark-wahlberg-200108 . October 13, 2012 . live . mdy-all .
  34. Web site: Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970) - Trivia. IMDb. 12 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112165015/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066445/trivia. January 12, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  35. Web site: Dennis Tatz. Scenes for upcoming movie being filmed at Braintree mall. MetroWest Daily News. 12 May 2015. Braintree, Massachusetts. 15 May 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112134535/http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/x2118738806/Scenes-for-upcoming-movie-being-filmed-at-Braintree-mall?photo=0. January 12, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  36. Web site: Braintree American Fun Facts. 9/10 Eastern Region Baseball Tournament. 12 May 2015.
  37. Web site: Jake Gyllenhaal film "Stronger" shooting scenes around Braintree . 8 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160818095938/http://braintree.wickedlocal.com/article/20160407/NEWS/160406630 . August 18, 2016 . live . mdy-all .