Brookfield, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brookfield, Massachusetts
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Central Street in 1908
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Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Massachusetts | ||
| County | Worcester | ||
| Settled | 1660 | ||
| Incorporated | 1718 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Open town meeting | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 16.6 sq mi (42.9 km2) | ||
| • Land | 15.5 sq mi (40.2 km2) | ||
| • Water | 1.1 sq mi (2.7 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 714 ft (218 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,439 | ||
| • Density | 207.2/sq mi (80.16/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) | ||
| ZIP Code |
01506
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| Area code(s) | 508/774 | ||
| FIPS code | 25-09105 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0618358 | ||
Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. People from Europe first settled here in 1660. In 2020, about 3,439 people lived in Brookfield.
Contents
History of Brookfield
Brookfield was first settled in 1660. It officially became a town in 1718. The first settlers came from Ipswich and were part of the Quaboag Plantation.
King Philip's War Attack
In August 1675, a big conflict called King Philip's War reached central Massachusetts. Brookfield was a very isolated settlement. It was attacked by Nipmuck forces.
After an ambush, the town was surrounded. For two days, about 80 townspeople hid in a strong house. The rest of the town was completely destroyed. The settlement was empty for twelve years after this attack.
Revolutionary War Cannon Route
During the winter of 1776, General Henry Knox traveled through Brookfield. He was moving cannons from Fort Ticonderoga. These cannons were used to help end the Siege of Boston. You can find a marker along Route 9 that shows his route.
George Washington's Visit
There is a special memorial on West Main Street (Route 9). It marks this part of the road as the George Washington Memorial Highway. In 1789, the first president of the United States, George Washington, toured five New England states.
Many places claim "George Washington slept here." But in Brookfield, he only stopped to water his horses. He didn't actually sleep in the town. The story says the innkeeper, Mrs. Bannister, had a bad headache. She thought he was a college president and sent him to the next town, Spencer. When she found out her mistake, she supposedly said, "Bless me! One look at that good man would have cured my aching head.”
How Brookfield Grew
Over time, parts of Brookfield became new towns. North Brookfield was formed in 1812. West Brookfield became a town in 1848. And East Brookfield was created in 1920.
Geography and Nature
Brookfield covers about 16.6 square miles (42.9 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 15.5 square miles (40.2 square kilometers). The rest, about 1.1 square miles (2.7 square kilometers), is water.
Brookfield is surrounded by towns that used to be part of it. These include West Brookfield, North Brookfield, and East Brookfield. The town is about 18 miles (29 km) west of Worcester. It is also about 57 miles (92 km) west of Boston.
Rivers and Ponds
The Quaboag River flows through Brookfield. The areas around the river are often swampy. Some of these areas are protected as places for wildlife. Two large ponds, Quaboag Pond and Quacumquasit Pond, are part of the river system. These ponds are great for nature lovers.
Getting Around Brookfield
Major roads like Route 9 and Route 148 meet in Brookfield. There is also a train line that goes through town. This line is used by Amtrak for passenger trains and also for freight trains. However, there is no train stop in Brookfield itself.
The town is also close to Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike). The nearest airport for bigger flights is Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.
Population and People
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 1,674 | — |
| 1860 | 2,276 | +36.0% |
| 1870 | 2,527 | +11.0% |
| 1880 | 2,823 | +11.7% |
| 1890 | 3,352 | +18.7% |
| 1900 | 3,062 | −8.7% |
| 1910 | 2,204 | −28.0% |
| 1920 | 2,216 | +0.5% |
| 1930 | 1,352 | −39.0% |
| 1940 | 1,393 | +3.0% |
| 1950 | 1,567 | +12.5% |
| 1960 | 1,751 | +11.7% |
| 1970 | 2,063 | +17.8% |
| 1980 | 2,397 | +16.2% |
| 1990 | 2,968 | +23.8% |
| 2000 | 3,051 | +2.8% |
| 2010 | 3,390 | +11.1% |
| 2020 | 3,439 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 3,450 | +0.3% |
Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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| County-level state agency heads | |
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| Clerk of Courts: | Dennis P. McManus (D) |
| District Attorney: | Joseph D. Early, Jr. (D) |
| Register of Deeds: | Anthony J. Vigliotti (D) |
| Register of Probate: | Stephanie K. Fattman (R) |
| County Sheriff: | Lew Evangelidis (R) |
| State government | |
| State Representative(s): | Donnie Berthiaume (R) |
| State Senator(s): | Anne M. Gobi (D) |
| Governor's Councilor(s): | Jen Caissie (R) |
| Federal government | |
| U.S. Representative(s): | 1st District |
| U.S. Senators: | Elizabeth Warren (D), Ed Markey (D) |
In 2020, Brookfield had a population of 3,439 people. The population has grown over the years. For example, in 2010, there were 3,390 people living here.
About 25.9% of the people in Brookfield are under 18 years old. The average age in the town is 39 years.
Public Library
Brookfield has a public library that started in the 1860s. The town spends money each year to keep the library running. In 2008, about $35 was spent per person on the library.
Education in Brookfield
Younger students in Brookfield go to Brookfield Elementary School. This school teaches students from kindergarten to 6th grade. It has its own special school committee.
After elementary school, students attend Tantasqua Regional Junior High School for grades 7–8. Then, they go to Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge. These schools are part of a larger school district. This district includes students from Brookfield and nearby towns like Brimfield, Holland, Sturbridge, and Wales.
Notable People from Brookfield
Many interesting people have come from Brookfield, Massachusetts. Here are a few:
- William Appleton, a politician who served in Congress.
- John Brooks, Jr., a military officer during the War of 1812.
- Asa Danforth, known for his work as a highway engineer.
- Arthur Louis Day, a scientist who studied geology and physics.
- William B. Draper, an importer and bank president.
- Theodore Foster, a politician.
- Mary Jane Hawes, an author.
- Albert R. Howe, another politician who served in Congress.
- Harrison Hunter, an actor.
- Jennifer Lafleur, an actor.
- Pliny T. Merrick, a well-known attorney and judge.
- Joseph Read, a soldier.
- George B. Upham, a politician who served in Congress.
- Jabez Upham, also a politician who served in Congress.
See also
In Spanish: Brookfield (Massachusetts) para niños
