Newton Highlands, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Newton Highlands, Massachusetts
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Village
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Lincoln Street
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 Newton Highlands, Massachusetts
Location in Greater Boston area
Newton Highlands, Massachusetts
Location in Massachusetts
Newton Highlands, Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| City | Newton |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Newton Highlands is one of the thirteen villages found within the city of Newton. It is located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. The Newton Highlands Historic District includes many homes and businesses that date back to the late 1800s.
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A Look Back: History of Newton Highlands
In 1635, much of the land that is now Newton Highlands was owned by John Haynes. He was an important leader, serving as the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. For a long time, this area was mostly farmland.
How Trains Helped Newton Highlands Grow
Things started to change when train service arrived. The Charles River Railroad extended its tracks from Brookline to Newton Highlands. This new line was called the Highlands Branch. At first, the trains only carried goods for businesses. But by the 1870s, people could also ride the trains from Boston to the village. This made it easier for people to live in Newton Highlands and work in Boston.
Building a Community: Homes and Schools
After the railroad was built in 1852, new streets were planned out. These included Floral, Lincoln, Walnut, and Hyde Streets. More land north of Lincoln Street was divided into lots for homes in 1871. As more people moved to the village in the 1870s, many beautiful houses were built. These homes featured popular styles of the time, like Mansard and Colonial Revival.
Today, you can still see many historic houses and some businesses in the Newton Highlands Historic District. The Newton Congregational Church and the Hyde School are also part of this historic area. In the 1890s, famous architects from Boston designed new brick school buildings. The Hyde School, for example, was designed by Hartwell and Richardson and opened in 1895. Did you know that the very first Brigham's Ice Cream shop was also located in Newton Highlands?
Things to See and Do in Newton Highlands
Newton Highlands offers some interesting places and ways to get around.
Getting Around by Train
If you want to travel by train, Newton Highlands has two stations on the Green Line D branch. These are the Newton Highlands station and the Eliot station. They make it easy to explore the area and beyond.
Cool Historic Places to Explore
There are several historic landmarks in and around Newton Highlands that are worth seeing.
- City Stable and Garage (74 Elliot St): This building was constructed in 1926. It was designed to look like an old city stable, but it was actually an early garage for vehicles. Today, a sign outside says "MUNICIPAL VEHICLES ONLY; NO PRIVATE VEHICLES ALLOWED."
- Fred R. Hayward House, 1547 Centre St: This is a historic house with interesting architecture.
- House at 230 Winchester Street: Another historic home that shows the building styles from the past.
- Needham Street Bridge: This bridge was built in 1875. It carries Needham Street over the Charles River into Needham.
Important People from Newton Highlands
- Benjamin Franklin Trueblood (1847–1916) was an American pacifist. A pacifist is someone who believes that all wars and violence are wrong. He worked for the American Peace Society for 23 years, promoting peace.
