Seekonk, Massachusetts
Seekonk, Massachusetts | ||
---|---|---|
![]() Seekonk Town Hall | ||
FIPS code 25-60645 | | |
GNIS feature ID | 0618286 | |
Website | www |
Seekonk is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Massachusetts border with Rhode Island. It was incorporated in 1812 from the western half of Rehoboth. The population was 15,531 at the 2020 census.[1] In 1862, under a U.S. Supreme Court decision resolving a longstanding border dispute between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, a portion of Tiverton, Rhode Island was awarded to Massachusetts to become part of Fall River, while two-thirds of Seekonk (now eastern Pawtucket and East Providence) was awarded to Rhode Island.[2][3]
History
Early years
The earliest known inhabitants of Seekonk were
There have been many spellings of the name Seekonk. Some of the various spellings include Seconch, Sink Hunk, Secquncke, Seaconke, and Squannakonk. The symbol of the goose in flight is used on the Town Seal.
Chief Massasoit
The chief of the Wampanoags at the time the colonists settled in Southeastern Massachusetts was known as
Massasoit decided to make a peace treaty with the new immigrants for a number of reasons. Perhaps the most important factor was that the Wampanoags were fearful of being overtaken by the
In 1641, the local Native Americans had granted a large part of modern-day Seekonk to purchasers from Hingham, including Edward Gilman Sr., Joseph Peck, John Leavitt and others.[4] In 1653 Ossamequin and his son Wamsetto, also known as Alexander to the English, signed a deed granting the land that is now Seekonk and the surrounding communities to Thomas Willitt, Myles Standish and Josiah Winslow.
The Wampanoags were paid 35 pounds sterling by the English settlers, for instance, for the sale to Willitt, Standish and Winslow.
Three of the earliest English men to settle in the area now known as Seekonk and Providence were William Blackstone, Roger Williams and Samuel Newman. These men and their followers proved it was possible to provide a living away from the coastal areas. This allowed groups of individuals to separate themselves from Puritan control. In turn this led to a greater diversity of culture and religious and philosophical freedom. It was only by forming alliances with the Native Americans in both the Wampanoag and Narragansett tribes that these early settlements were able to flourish.
King Philip's War
Massasoit lived until he was 80 years old. While he lived, his people and the settlers lived in relative peace. He was followed in power by his son Wamsetto, also known as Alexander. This chief died shortly after his father and was replaced by his brother Metacomet, also known as King Philip.
In 1675, King Philip's War began and both sides saw this as an opportunity to claim the land for their people and their way of life. Metacomet and his people ultimately lost the war, and the chief was killed by a mixed group of English and Indian fighters led by Benjamin Church. He was beheaded and his head stayed on public display on a pole in Plymouth for 25 years.
Incorporation to today
For the next 200 years, the area now known as Seekonk was primarily a farming community. Accounts of Town Meetings during these years communicate just how contentious deciding what was best for this area could be. Boundary disputes were common and the land that is now Rehoboth, East Providence, Pawtucket and Seekonk was claimed by both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In 1812, the border disputes were settled by the courts and the present town of Seekonk was incorporated. Two industrial villages developed to supplement the agricultural economy, with such businesses as the Rumford Chemical Works, but what had been the industrial area of the town in the late-18th and early-19th century was lost when East Providence was incorporated in 1862, taking half of the town's territory, two-thirds of its valuation and more than two-thirds of its population. The town remained basically agricultural into the 20th century, although the Kent Manufacturing Company did make tennis racquets and croquet sets on the upper reaches of the Tenmile River. With the opening of the Providence and Taunton street railway in 1891, Seekonk became an increasingly residential suburb of Providence.
Very few farms still exist in Seekonk. Developers have turned the farms into housing divisions and Seekonk is used largely as a suburban home community for people who work in the Rhode Island and Boston areas. It is now well known for its retail area along Route 6, which includes a movie multiplex, many different chain stores and restaurants,
Geography
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Old_Grist_Mill_Pond%2C_Seekonk_MA.jpg/225px-Old_Grist_Mill_Pond%2C_Seekonk_MA.jpg)
According to the
The town has three golf courses Ledgemont Country Club (private), Pawtucket Country Club (private) and Firefly Golf Course (public). Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket lies just over the Seekonk line, next to Pawtucket Country Club. The Town lies within two watershed areas, the Ten Mile River Watershed and the Narragansett Bay Watershed.
Transportation
The town can be accessed through one interstate,
From the south end of town, access can be had by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) stop on Commerce Way.
From the north end of town, easy access can be had to
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1850 | 2,243 | — |
1860 | 2,662 | +18.7% |
1870 | 1,021 | −61.6% |
1880 | 1,227 | +20.2% |
1890 | 1,317 | +7.3% |
1900 | 1,673 | +27.0% |
1910 | 2,397 | +43.3% |
1920 | 2,898 | +20.9% |
1930 | 4,762 | +64.3% |
1940 | 4,912 | +3.1% |
1950 | 6,104 | +24.3% |
1960 | 8,399 | +37.6% |
1970 | 11,116 | +32.3% |
1980 | 12,269 | +10.4% |
1990 | 13,046 | +6.3% |
2000 | 13,425 | +2.9% |
2010 | 13,722 | +2.2% |
2020 | 15,531 | +13.2% |
2023 | 15,725 | +1.2% |
Source: United States census records and Population Estimates Program data.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] |
As of the
There were 4,843 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $56,364, and the median income for a family was $62,361. Males had a median income of $42,404 versus $29,782 for females. The
In the year 2000 the population was 13,425, with 6,517 males (48.5%) and 6,908 females (51.5%). Popular ancestries of the population include Portuguese (22.0%), Irish (21.4%), English (16.7%), French (14.4%), Italian (11.9%) and French Canadian (6.4%).
Government
On the state level, Seekonk is part of the Fourth Bristol state representative district, including Rehoboth and parts of Norton and Swansea, and the Bristol and Norton state senatorial district, including part of the city of Attleboro and all or parts of the towns of Dover, Foxborough, Mansfield, Medfield, Norton, Rehoboth, Sharon and Walpole. Seekonk's state representative is Steve Howitt representing the 4th Bristol District. Seekonk is patrolled by Troop D (Southeast District), 4th Barracks (located in Middleborough) of the Massachusetts State Police. On the national level, the town is part of Massachusetts Congressional District 4, which is represented by Jake Auchincloss. The state's Senior (Class I) Senator is Elizabeth Warren, and the state's Junior (Class II) Senator, is Ed Markey.
Seekonk is governed by an
Seekonk's current board of selectmen are: Justin Sullivan (Chairman), Christopher Zorra (Vice Chairman), Adam Petronio (Clerk), David J. Andrade, and Michael P. Healy. The current Town Administrator is Shawn E. Cadime.
Fire Department
The Seekonk Fire Department provides all fire and paramedic services to the town. The Department responded to 3,157 calls for emergency services in fiscal year 2017. There are 38 career firefighters, consisting of 4 groups of 9 firefighters. 2 Monday–Friday daytime Captains and Chief of the Department, Sandra J. Lowery.
The Fire Department operates the following stations and apparatus.
Station | Desig. | Location | Staffing | Year Built |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seekonk Fire Department Company No. 1 | 1 | 170 County Street | Not staffed | 1942 |
Richard C. Banna Memorial Fire Station | 2 | 30 Pine Street | Career-staffing of 1 engine and ALS rescue | 2014 |
Seekonk Public Safety Headquarters | 3 | 500 Taunton Avenue | Full-time career personnel | 2005 |
Education
Seekonk has its own public school system, with four active schools. The town has two elementary schools: Mildred H. Aitken Elementary School (serving the north and central parts of town), and George R. Martin Elementary School (serving the south). North Elementary School closed during the summer of 2006 after 95 years of service due to budget cuts. Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School, named for a popular town educator, is located along Route 152 and serves the town's 6th through 8th grade population. Seekonk High School is located near the center of town. Seekonk athletics teams are nicknamed the "Warriors," and its school colors are Columbia blue, navy blue, and white though traditionally the school colors are Columbia blue and white. The school uses the "spear" logo made famous by Florida State University and, formerly, the Washington Redskins. Seekonk is the southernmost member of the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School district, which is centered in Franklin. High school students may also choose to attend Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton, or any of a number of religious schools in the surrounding communities (the closest school in-state being Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro).
Notable people
- Jon Blais, also known as Blazeman, was an American triathlete noted for his fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is the namesake of the Blazeman Foundation
- John Gregorek, former middle distance runner[17]
- John Gregorek Jr., middle distance runner[18]
- Bill Harley, musician, storyteller, and entertainer[19]
- Cristina Nardozzi, Miss Massachusetts USA 2005[20]
- Latroya Pina, Troy Pina and Jayla Pina, sibling swimmers who were selected to represent Cape Verde at the 2018 African Swimming Championships, the 2019 World Aquatics Championships, and the 2020 Summer Olympics[21][22]
- Ken Ryan, former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Andrew Skurka, professional backpacker and National Geographic "Adventurer of the Year" 2007
- Jason Swepson, American college football coach (Elon University, N.C. State, Boston College) and former player at Boston College
See also
References
- ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Seekonk town, Bristol County, Massachusetts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- ^ History of Bristol County
- ^ Cady, John Hutchins (1936). Rhode Island Boundaries 1636-1936. Rhode Island Tercentary Commission., pp 1-31.
- ^ History of Newfields, New Hampshire, 1638-1911, James Hill Fitts, Nathan Franklin Carter, Concord, 1912
- ^ "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
- ^ "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
- ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020−2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Malinowski, Bill. "A Family's Passion, A Son's Success".
- ^ Waldron, John (October 3, 2008). "Is it Time for Johnny Gregorek?". NNHS Track and Cross-Country. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ^ "Bill Harley". Timpanogos Storytelling. Timpanogos Storytelling Institute. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ^ "Cristina Nardozzi Biography". Celebrity photos, biographies and more. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
- ^ Gobis, Peter (August 10, 2018). "Seekonk's Pina siblings to swim for Cape Verde at 2020 Olympics". The Sun Chronicle. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ "Meet Pina, the Cape Verdean Student in the U.S Leading the African Nation's First-ever Olympic Swim Team". Jetheights Services. HowAfrica. September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg/40px-Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg.png)