Walpole, Massachusetts
Walpole | ||
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FIPS code 25-72495 | | |
GNIS feature ID | 0618331 | |
Website | www.walpole-ma.gov |
Walpole is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Walpole Town, as the Census refers to it, is located approximately 18 miles (29 km) south of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, and 30 miles (48 km) north of Providence, Rhode Island. The population of Walpole was 26,383 at the 2020 census.[1] Walpole was first settled in 1659 and was considered a part of Dedham until officially incorporated in 1724. The town was named after Sir Robert Walpole, de facto first Prime Minister of Great Britain. It also encompasses the entirely distinct entity of Walpole (CDP), with its much smaller area of 2.9 square miles.[2]
History
It started out as a territory that was claimed by the Neponset band of the
After the territory was bought from Dedham, the
On May 13, 1717, Dedham's Town Meeting voted to allow those in outlying areas to
Soon residents of the other outlying areas began joining forces with them.
After its incorporation,
Walpole began to grow after the Revolutionary War. By 1860, the town had 1,935 residents. etc.
Walpole's first public library was founded in 1872. It was founded by Walpole resident Miss Mary R. Bird.[8] The first library in Walpole was actually founded in 1816 by a group known as "The Ladies' Literary, Moral Society". It was not public, and was built to provide books to Walpole that may, in the words of the society, "afford useful information to the mind and improvement to the heart."[8]
The town grew considerably throughout the 1900s, with an increase of over 3,000 by the 1920s.[11] At a town meeting in 1922, local resident Maude R. Greeves said:
Upon the town seal of Walpole is depicted an old watermill, presumably the old saw mill of Eleazer Lusher and Joshua Fisher on the Neponset River, with a forest of trees in the background, and in the margin are the words, 'Walpole, Mass., incorporated 1724.' Quite a change has come to the town since the conditions represented by the Corporate Seal existed. Walpole of the present day is one of the thriving towns of the Old Bay State with a population of 5,446.[11]
The town seal was adopted by a committee of the Walpole Board of Selectmen on March 2, 1914. The seal was designed by Edna Buck, a junior at Walpole High School. Her prize for having her design selected was $25. She based the design on the ruins of a saw mill located on Brook Street at the time.[12]
In 1929,
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1850 | 1,929 | — |
1860 | 2,037 | +5.6% |
1870 | 2,137 | +4.9% |
1880 | 2,494 | +16.7% |
1890 | 2,604 | +4.4% |
1900 | 3,572 | +37.2% |
1910 | 4,892 | +37.0% |
1920 | 5,446 | +11.3% |
1930 | 7,273 | +33.5% |
1940 | 7,443 | +2.3% |
1950 | 9,109 | +22.4% |
1960 | 14,068 | +54.4% |
1970 | 18,149 | +29.0% |
1980 | 18,859 | +3.9% |
1990 | 20,212 | +7.2% |
2000 | 22,824 | +12.9% |
2010 | 24,070 | +5.5% |
2020 | 26,383 | +9.6% |
2022* | 26,277 | −0.4% |
* = population estimate. Source: United States census records and Population Estimates Program data.[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] |
At the census of 2010,[27] there were 24,070 people,[28] 8,060 households, and 5,972 families residing in the town. The population density was 429.0/km2 (1077.3/sq mi). There were 8,229 housing units at an average density of 400.7 per square mile (154.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.41% White, 1.59% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.02% of the population. The Census of 2010 shows very little variance in these figures. Only the Asian population has seen somewhat of a change.
There were 8730[29] households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $74,757, and the median income for a family was $84,458. Males had a median income of $54,243 versus $39,516 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,117. About 1.5% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
Weather and climate
Under the Köppen climate classification, Walpole has a humid continental climate (Dfa),[30] which is the predominant climate for Massachusetts and New England. Walpole's inland location causes it to experience cooler winter temperatures than many coastal locations in New England.[31] Summers are typically hot and humid, while winters are cold, windy, and often snowy.
Walpole's warmest month is July, with an average high temperature of 83.4 °F (28.6 °C) and an average low of 63.3 °F (17.4 °C). The coldest month is January, with an average high temperature of 36.8 °F (2.7 °C) and an average low of 19.7 °F (−6.8 °C).[32]
Much like the rest of the Northeastern seaboard, Walpole receives ample amounts of precipitation year-round. On average, summer months receive slightly less precipitation than winter months. Walpole averages 49.59 in (1,260 mm) of rainfall a year. Walpole, like other Massachusetts towns, is very vulnerable to
Climate data for Walpole, Massachusetts (WALPOLE 2), 1991–2020 normals | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 36.8 (2.7) |
39.6 (4.2) |
47.4 (8.6) |
59.4 (15.2) |
69.9 (21.1) |
77.9 (25.5) |
83.4 (28.6) |
81.7 (27.6) |
74.1 (23.4) |
62.5 (16.9) |
51.4 (10.8) |
41.6 (5.3) |
60.5 (15.8) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 28.2 (−2.1) |
30.4 (−0.9) |
37.7 (3.2) |
48.5 (9.2) |
58.8 (14.9) |
67.6 (19.8) |
73.4 (23.0) |
71.8 (22.1) |
64.3 (17.9) |
52.6 (11.4) |
42.5 (5.8) |
33.5 (0.8) |
50.8 (10.4) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 19.7 (−6.8) |
21.1 (−6.1) |
27.9 (−2.3) |
37.6 (3.1) |
47.7 (8.7) |
57.2 (14.0) |
63.3 (17.4) |
61.8 (16.6) |
54.4 (12.4) |
42.8 (6.0) |
33.6 (0.9) |
25.4 (−3.7) |
41.0 (5.0) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.94 (100) |
3.36 (85) |
4.77 (121) |
4.43 (113) |
3.59 (91) |
4.25 (108) |
3.58 (91) |
3.95 (100) |
3.71 (94) |
4.97 (126) |
4.08 (104) |
4.96 (126) |
49.59 (1,260) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 15.1 (38) |
14.1 (36) |
11.6 (29) |
2.5 (6.4) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.3 (0.76) |
1.7 (4.3) |
10.8 (27) |
56.1 (142) |
Source: NOAA[35] |
Education
Walpole's school system, the
The four elementary schools in Walpole include Old Post Road School, Elm Street School, Boyden School, and Fisher School. Old Post Road school is located in East Walpole. It has about 500 students attending and serves students in from
- Middle schools in Walpole include Bird Middle School.
- The Blessed Sacrament is a private Catholic Schoolin Walpole.
- Shishu Bharati School of Languages and Culture of India, a private, non-profit institution, has a branch in Walpole.
- The town is also home to the Norfolk County Agricultural High School and the Longview Farm School.
Law and government
Walpole, like most
The town also elects a moderator, and members to the board of assessors, housing authority, library board of trustees, planning board, school committee, and sewer and water commission.[44]
State Prison Closure
It is only partially accurate to say that Walpole is the location of
As of April 2022, Cedar Junction is planned to be shut down within the next two years due to reduced incarceration rates (currently the lowest in 35 years) and the high costs of maintenance.
Recreation
Facilities at the park include bike racks, public restroom (open seasonally), a "tot lot" with children's play equipment, four tennis courts, a basketball backboard, and an outdoor stage.[49]
Bird Park was created and endowed in 1925 by local industrialist Charles Sumner Bird, Sr. and his wife Anna in memory of their eldest son, Francis William Bird who had died seven years earlier in the influenza epidemic of 1918. Landscape
...a sequestered breathing place in the heart of East Walpole...a combination of broad, sun-swept meadow lands, speckled with shadowed glades, higher tree-screened knolls for the lover of shade, the whole set to the music of a babbling stream.
For most of its history, the park was owned and maintained by the Francis William Park Trust. By the later decades of the 20th century, parts of the park suffered badly from
beds.Sports
Walpole High School athletics
- The Walpole High School football team has made USA Today's Top 25 list twice, in 1986 (#24), and 1989 (#15). [citation needed]
- The Walpole High School boys lacrosse team won the 2009 Division 2 State Championship.
- In 2004, the Walpole boys and girls high school basketball teams captured the Fleet Center in Boston.
- The boys cross country team won Massachusetts Sectional Championships in 1971, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 2014, 2018, and 2023.[50]
- The boys hockey team made the Massachusetts High School Super 8 for the first time in school history in 2017. Then won the Division 1 state championship in 2020 being named Co-State Champions with Belmont High School.
Timberwolves and Porkers
All Walpole High School teams are nicknamed Timberwolves, except for the girls field hockey team, which is nicknamed Porkers.[51] In 2023, the Porkers won their 13th State Championship in a 1–0 win over Andover. This win set the record for number of overall Championship titles for Massachusetts field hockey.[52][53]
Youth sports
- Walpole Little League has won the state championship twice: 1991, and 2007. They went to the Shelton, CT 14–4 in five inning mercy rule to advance to the LLWS. In round robin play, Walpole was eliminated with a 1–2 record, after losing to Oregon and Georgia, 1–0 and 8–1 respectively, and finished 21–3.
- There are youth sports leagues in Walpole providing youth athletes with a number of options throughout the year, many of which are run through the Walpole Recreation Department and their affiliates.
- The Walpole Expressis a junior, youth, and girls hockey organization based in Walpole, Massachusetts.
Controversy
From the 1960s until the 2000s, Walpole high school teams were called the Rebels. For many years, up until 1994, the song "Dixie" was commonly sung at football games, and even incorporated into the cheerleaders' cheers. During the height of the Confederate identity, the football coach, Coach Lee, was known as General Lee, and, in 1971, the face of the school yearbook was decorated with the confederate flag.[54] Since 1994, the school has condemned the Confederate identity.
In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota, which brought light to the national problem of racism and police brutality, Walpole residents started a petition to change the athletic team name due to its connection to the Confederacy and racist roots. Other Walpole residents started a petition to keep the name. The two petitions got over 5,000 signatures each, from current students, alumni, parents, residents, and residents of surrounding towns. The petitions were made to the Walpole Public Schools. In August 2020, the school committee unanimously voted to drop the name Rebels. The students voted on the new name, Timberwolves.[55]
Media
Walpole Community Television, established in 1984, airs programming of local interest to all Walpole cable subscribers.[56]
Transportation and geography
Walpole is bordered by Dover to the north; Westwood, Canton, and Norwood to the northeast; Sharon to the east; Foxboro to the south; and Norfolk and Medfield to the west.
Walpole is served by
Notable people
- Andrew Bacevich, professor of international relations at Boston University, former director of its Center for International Relations (from 1998 to 2005), and author of several books
- Todd Collins, professional American football quarterback
- Mary Duffy, Eaton Vance executive
- news anchor for FOX channel 25 in Boston[57]
- Mary Lavin, Award-winning short story writer. Born in Walpole, moved to Ireland at the age of 10.[citation needed]
- Mike Milbury, former Boston Bruins ice hockey defenseman and head coach
- Joe Morgan, professional baseball manager for a variety of teams including the Boston Red Sox.
- George Arthur Plimpton (1855–1936), American publisher and philanthropist
- Butch Songin, quarterback for the Boston College Eagles, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Rugby Union, and for the American Football League's Boston Patriots and New York Titans. He also was an All-American defenseman for the BC Eagles ice hockey team
- Roger Turner, Olympic Figure Skater
- Chris Wagner, ice hockey player for the Boston Bruins, previously played for the Anaheim Ducks, New York Islanders and Colorado Avalanche
- Jimmy Stewart and Lee Remick
Gallery
-
Pine Street, March 2019 winter storm
-
Located on East Street near Route 27 in Walpole, this equestrian statue depicts Lieutenant Lewis, an officer in Queen Anne's War and ancestor of the prominent local family whose former home is now maintained by the Walpole Historical Society.
-
Rolls-Royce in Walpole
See also
References
- ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Walpole town, Norfolk County, Massachusetts". Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ "Walpole MA Community & Regional Demographic Economic Characteristics".
- ^ a b c d "History of Walpole, Massachusetts, 1635−". Walpole Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Hanson 1976, p. 113.
- ^ Hanson 1976, p. 113-114.
- ^ Hanson 1976, p. 114.
- ^ a b c "Walpole in the Revolution". Walpole Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Walpole Historical Events Timeline". Walpole Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e "Walpole, Massachusetts in 1860". Walpole Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008. Retrieved April 29, 2008.
- ^ Union Congregational Church
- ^ a b Greaves, Maude. "History of Walpole". Archived from the original on June 10, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
- ^ Town and City Seals of Massachusetts Volume 1. Boston, Massachusetts: State Street Trust Company. 1950. pp. 124–125.
- ^ a b [1] Archived July 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Walpole History Memorials and Statues
- ^ a b [2] History of Blackburn Hall
- ^ [3] The Arts in Walpole
- ^ "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: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ Climate Summary for Walpole, Massachusetts
- ^ "USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". US Department of Agriculture − The United States National Arboretum. March 2, 2006. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
- ^ "Walpole Climatological Data". Town of Walpole. Archived from the original on April 3, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2008.
- ^ Multi-Community Environmental Storm Observatory (2006). "Nor'easters". Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved January 22, 2008.
- ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "Walpole Public Schools Central Administration". Walpole Public Schools. Archived from the original on March 23, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Old Post Road School". Walpole Public Schools. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Fisher School History". Walpole Public Schools. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Boyden Elementary School — History". Walpole Public Schools. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Boyden in Walpole, MA". elementaryschools.org. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
- ^ "Elm Street School". Walpole Public Schools. Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Board of Selectmen". Town of Walpole. Archived from the original on August 13, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Town Meeting Information". Town of Walpole. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ^ "Elected & Appointed Officials | Walpole MA". www.walpole-ma.gov. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ "MCI - Cedar Junction". Mass.gov. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
- U.S. Census Bureau. p. 3 (PDF p. 4/4). Retrieved October 17, 2022.
Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Cedar Junction
- U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Cedar Junction
- ^ The Trustees of Reservations. Archived from the originalon June 10, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
- ^ a b "Bird Park". The Trustees of Reservations. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
- ^ Cross Country Championship of Walpole High School, athletic.net. Accessed October 11, 2022.
- ^ Doyle, Dave. "Proud to be a Porker". Boston.com. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
- ^ "Izzy Adams strikes first, Walpole field hockey makes one goal a winner to deny Andover a three-peat in Division 1". bostonglobe.com. November 18, 2023.
- ^ "Field hockey notebook: Walpole hungry to capture program's 13th state championship". bostonherald.com. October 22, 2023.
- ^ Schworm, Peter (May 25, 2010). "In Walpole, Rebels' pride still sparks a fight". Boston.com.
- ^ "Confederate flag removed from view at Walpole High field". The Boston Globe.
- ^ "Walpole Community Television Home". Walpole Community Television. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- ^ "Gene Lavanchy profile: Boston 25 News". Retrieved October 11, 2022.
Works cited
- Hanson, Robert Brand (1976). Dedham, Massachusetts, 1635–1890. Dedham Historical Society.