Historical Markers in
Norfolk County, Massachusetts

A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk Abigail Adams Abigail Adams Birthplace Abigail Adams Cairn Adams Academy Adams National Historical Park Anderson Carriage House Antoine and Wilson Memorial Bellingham SoldierÂ’s Monument Bellingham Town Center Bellingham Town Center Bellingham Veterans Monument Birthplace of George Herbert Walker Bush Birthplace of Horace Mann Birthplace of U.S. Copper Industry Braintree Burns Canton Viaduct Centre Burial Ground Charles Vaughan Wells Civil War Memorial Dedham Dedham Boat Club Domenico DÂ’Alessandro East Foxborough Entering Baker Street Historic District Eric Lee Hatch Etta M. Hutchins Fairbanks House First Baptist Church First Baptist Church First Meeting House in Wrentham First School House in Weymouth First Settler / Roads and Boundaries First Wrentham School House Foxborough State Hospital Cemetery George F. Bryan Governor Richard Bellingham Hancock Cemetery Helen Adams Keller Henry Adams History of NAS South Weymouth Indian Trail John Adams John Hancock Birth Site John Hancock Birth Site Korean Conflict Memorial Korean War Memorial Lakeview Liberty Tree Park Lyndon F. Murray Memorial Building Maple Street North Bellingham Memorial Hall Minot's Ledge Lighthouse Morseville Moswetuset Hummock Noah Alden Old House Old Meeting House Common Operation Iraqi Freedom Memorial Original Town Common Paineburgh-Foxvale Peak House Plainville 9/11 Memorial Plainville Korean War Memorial Plainville Vietnam War Memorial Plainville World War I Memorial Plainville World War II Memorial Ponkapoag Plantation Putterham School Sailors Home Cemetery Shea Field Memorial Grove Spanish-American War Memorial The Dorchester School Farm The First Church in Weymouth The Granite Railway The Lodge at Foxborough The Men of Quincy, Mass. The Powder House The Reservoir on Powder House Hill / The Town House The Spanish American War Memorial The Town Lot Three Adams Brothers Town Center Town of Randolph Union Straw Works / Birth of the Straw Hat Industry United First Parish Church Veterans Memorial Vietnam Conflict Memorial Vietnam War Memorial Vietnam War Memorial Wading River Farm William Field William Hutchinson's Grant William Reynolds Dimmock LL.D. World War I Memorial World War II Memorial World War II Memorial World War Memorial
In 1773, the Boston Tea Party occurred, where American colonists disguised as Native Americans dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor to protest British taxation.
Norfolk County, Massachusetts, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1793. The area was initially settled by Native American tribes, specifically the Massachusett tribe, whose name the state also derived from. However, in the early 17th century, European colonists began to arrive in the region, bringing about significant changes.

In the 1630s, English settlers established the town of Dedham, which would become the first town within what is now Norfolk County. The town served as a political and administrative center for the surrounding area. Over time, more towns were established, including Wrentham, Franklin, and Stoughton, leading to the county's official formation in 1793.

Norfolk County played a significant role during the American Revolution. Many residents actively participated in the war effort, with some joining the Continental Army and others serving as Minutemen. The county was also the site of important engagements, such as the Battle of Bunker Hill in nearby Charlestown.

During the 19th century, Norfolk County underwent various changes and developments. The region was primarily agrarian, with farming and manufacturing being the primary industries. However, with the growth of urban areas like Boston, Norfolk County began to experience suburbanization. Improved transportation infrastructure, such as the construction of railroads, facilitated commuting between the county and the city.

Today, Norfolk County continues to thrive as a suburban area with a diverse economy. It is home to a range of industries, including healthcare, education, technology, and finance. The county also boasts numerous parks, recreational areas, and historical sites, attracting both residents and visitors alike.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

  • 1679 - Norfolk County is established by the Massachusetts Bay Colony
  • 1700s - Towns within Norfolk County begin to develop and grow
  • 1775-1783 - Norfolk County residents actively participate in the American Revolutionary War
  • 1793 - The Norfolk County Court House is built in Dedham
  • 1801 - Weymouth becomes the first town to separate from Norfolk County
  • 1822 - Quincy separates from Norfolk County
  • 1845 - Norfolk County experiences significant population growth due to industrialization
  • 1863-1865 - Many Norfolk County residents served in the American Civil War
  • 1915 - The Blue Hills Reservation is established, providing recreational opportunities for residents
  • 1956 - The Massachusetts Turnpike is extended through Norfolk County, improving transportation
  • Present - Norfolk County continues to be a vibrant area with a diverse economy and rich history