Norton Furnace, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norton Furnace, Massachusetts
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| Nickname(s):
Copperworks Mills, Norton Village
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 Norton Furnace, Massachusetts
Location in Massachusetts
Norton Furnace, Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Bristol |
| Elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 606288 |
Norton Furnace is a ghost town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but now it's mostly empty. This old settlement was about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Norton.
Today, the area where Norton Furnace once stood is called Meadowbrook. It's near a place known as Meadow Brook Pond. This area is located between the towns of Norton and Oakland.
Contents
History of Norton Furnace
Norton Furnace began as a place where iron was made. A special furnace was built here in 1825. It was started by a person named Annes A. Lincoln, Jr.
Early Days and Growth
By the year 1837, the furnace was doing well. It employed about 25 people from the local area. The settlement had a few different names back then. People called it "Norton Furnace," "Copperworks Village," or "Norton Mills."
By 1850, the small settlement had grown. There were about 25 houses for people to live in. There was also a store where residents could buy supplies.
Companies and Decline
Two main companies operated in Norton Furnace. These were the Norton Copper Works and the Norton Furnace Company. They both stayed active for many years. However, by the 1890s, things started to change.
The Norton Copper Works decided to move its operations. It relocated to Worcester. The Norton Furnace Company also moved. It went to an area closer to Boston. After these companies left, the settlement became less active.
Transportation and Post Office
A branch of the Old Colony Railroad used to run through Norton Furnace. This railroad helped transport goods and people. By 1871, there was even a train station located right in the settlement.
A post office was also set up in Norton Furnace. It was there as early as 1899. Later, from 1902 to 1912, a post office called "Meadowbrook" was located in the same area. Over time, as the industries left, the town slowly faded away.
