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THE FOXBOROUGH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MAY 2015 46th Year Issue #8

The History and Mystery of Foxborough’s Lakes and Streams

Most lakes in Foxborough were created to provide water power for early industries but this dam, hidden

away where few people see it today, created a lake for an industry that made no use of the power of the

water but rather used it in a unique process to produce something we enjoy each time we drive around the

Common. This dam will be included in the upcoming History and Mystery of Foxborough’s Lakes and

Streams program. (Photo by Jack Authelet)

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The 2014/15 season of the Foxborough Historical Society will conclude on May 26 with a presentation by

Town Historian Jack Authelet on the lakes and streams of Foxborough and how they affected our

development.

The first families to settle in this area which would become Foxborough were dependent upon finding an

area where they could dig a well to provide for family needs and have sufficient water for cattle and crops.

They found water ample to their needs in the small streams cutting through the countryside or flowing from

the woodlands. They had no need to question the origin of the flow: they just had to know it would

continue, and it did in quantities sufficient that they would one day move beyond their dependence upon

the land into a new age of water-powered manufacturing and the prosperity it provided with hundreds of

jobs.

But how could a small stream rising from an area of no value as a homestead or pasture become the main

supply of a series of lakes and ponds, provide water for two of the town’s pumping stations as well as

cranberry bogs and power for several major manufacturing operations and cooling for another?

The source of that stream, as well as the water coming down hill to greet visitors as they hike to the highest

levels of the F. Gilbert Hills State Park and the locations in town where you can hear water running

underground are some of the mysteries to be explored by Town Historian Jack Authelet for his presentation

on Foxborough’s Lakes and Streams.

“Anywhere people travel in Foxborough, they see lakes and streams, countless places where water passes

under the road, and are generally unaware of the mystery and majesty of it all,” said Authelet. “It is an

exciting history, a marvel of how much of it comes together, a mystery of one water source for which the

depth has never been determined.”

The program, with photos of each of the waterways discussed, will be presented at the Foxborough

Historical Society on Tuesday, May 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Boyden Library (lower level) at the corner of

Bird Street and Baker Street in Foxborough center. Parking is available on nearby streets and against

Foxborough common. Remember, do not park at Aubuchon Hardware as you may be towed.

Meetings of the historical society are free and all are invited. For further information, call Patrick Lyons,

508-543-3728.

Slate of Officers and Board Members to be submitted for 2015-16 President: Joan Stafford Vice President: Raymond Toomey

Clerk: Ann Childs Treasurer: Mary Anne Baker

Members: Ralph Guimond, Janet Haynes, Margaret Boldrighini, Past President Charles Clifford

(Vacancies exist on Board and names will be accepted at the May 26th meeting.)

Associate Members: Program: Patrick Lyons Membership: Emelie Bonin

Newsletter: Paul Godin

FOUNDERS DAY – Saturday, June 13, 2015

The Commission and Society will be at Booth Playground after the parade and could use help. If

you can spare an hour, call Joan Stafford 543-6292.

Memorial Hall, your town museum, is open every Wednesday evening, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

and on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon.

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Welcome to the following new members: John & Barbara DiPietro, Eleanor Grant, Dan Lynch

Paul & Susan O’Sullivan and Dianne Saunders

Updated List of 2014-2015 Foxborough Historical Society Members Christian Arcaro, Marge & Jack Authelet, Mary Anne Baker, Margaret Boldrighini, Emelie

Bonin, Richard Bonin, Earle & Sandy Brown, Kenneth & Diane Bryant, Francis & Diane Cahill,

Marlene Carr, Ann Childs, Joan & Charles Clifford, Virginia Coppola, Donald Cosgrove, Marie

& David Crimmins, Stephanie Crimmins, Doris & Albert Daniels, John Davis, Elisabeth

Davison, John & Barbara DiPietro, Catherine & Robert Doucette, David Downs, Paul Dumas,

Kenneth & Patricia Elovitz, Carolyn & Paul Godin, Ruth Goold, Eleanor Grant, Audrey Greeley,

Ralph Guimond, Bruce & Pat Hainsworth, Heather & Steve Harding, Janet Haynes, Robert &

Gayle Hicks, Ralph & Edna Hunt, Penny Ingram, Ted Inman, Noreen Julius Kiff, Roberta

Kriegsman, Robert Lanpher, Edward Leonard, Annette & Warren Liljegren, George Lilyman,

Dan Lynch, Terry & Linda Lyons, Patrick & Regina Lyons, Peter McDonough, Kathy McNealy,

Frank Morrissey, Cheryl & Kenneth Morse, Paul & Susan O’Sullivan, Deborah Ranaldi, Joseph

& Janet Roxborough, Dianne Saunders, Lee & Cynthia Scott, Roger Smith, Michael Smith, Sarah

Souza, Joan Stafford, Charles Tebbetts III, Ray & Suzanne Toomey, Deb Wendell, George &

Janet Yelle.

[Note: If I’ve missed someone, contact me – Paul Godin]

Membership is from September 1st to August 31st of each year Family = $10.00 Individual = $8.00

Foxborough Historical Society - tentative programs for the 2015-2016 season

September 22, 2015 Jack Authelet - Foxborough Town Historian October 27, 2015 Jeff Peterson - “Legendary Locals of Foxboro” November 24, 2015 Dave Downs - “A historical look at clutter”

January 26, 2016 Gary Hylander - The USS Indianapolis February 23, 2016 Maureen Taylor - the “Photo Detective” March 22, 2016 Christopher Daly - “No Irish Need Apply”

April 26, 2016 Michael Reiskind - “Boston’s Lost Breweries” May 24, 2016 Jack Authelet - Foxborough Town Historian

50 YEARS AGO IN FOXBOROUGH

[extracted from Foxboro Reporter newspapers at Memorial Hall]

May 1965

. Town welcomes 3,000 young musicians; 25 bands at music festival.

. Thieves get big haul at Welsh’s dairy.

. Family explorations at High Rock State Forest offer many surprises.

. Fireworks & “The Works” at V.F.W. 5th fun days.

. The Town has no regulations requiring the fencing of private pools.

. Parents concerned over hazards at rerouted Rte. 140.

June 1965

. Volunteers preparing swimming pool site by clearing the land.

. Picnic for closed ward of the State Hospital is a first and successful.

. 17 year old drivers bill passed by the House.

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. Negro teens from Selma to visit Town for 2 weeks.

. Largest class from Foxborough High graduates (145).

. Joseph Watrous, 87, retired printer is laid to rest.

. Proposed plans for new library are discussed.

. Dr McDonald succeeds Dr. Putnam as school physician.

. Lakeview beach opens Monday to Foxborough residents.

. Rex Trailer gave plenty of time to the kids.

. Foxborough helps nudge “Big Mamie” to berth in Fall River.

. 10,000 attend family day at The Company.

July 1965

. It’s bicentennial time this weekend in neighboring Sharon.

. Police Chief Dennis Dolan announced that police will not tolerate any use of

firecrackers.

. New recreation field being cleared for Foxboro Co. employees off Mechanic

Street.

. Funeral held for Herbert Cook, accident victim.

. They’re planning now for the Firemen’s Field Day. It started in 1933 and it was

called the “annual muster”.

. Residents report sighting an UFO twice over town.

Foxborough Historical Society Officers & Board Members 2014 - 2015

President: Charles Clifford 543-840 Vice President: Raymond Toomey 543-4388

Clerk: Joan Stafford 543-6292 Treasurer: Mary Anne Baker 543-8945

Board Members: Past President Robert Hicks, Ralph Guimond, Ann Childs

Program:Patrick Lyons 543-3728 Membership: Emelie Bonin 543-6160

Newsletter: Paul Godin 543-7945

From the Editor On behalf of the Membership, I want to acknowledge and thank the Officers and Board

Members for their hard work and dedication to the Society. It is not easy to be President

of an organization but Charlie Clifford persevered for three years. Not an easy task!

Thank you Charlie.

Have a wonderful summer, see you September 22nd

and on

Founders Day