City of Newton, MA
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A deeper look into the stories on the sign at 1279 Washington St.
Take a deeper look into the stories on the West Newton History Sign, located at 1279 Washington Street. Click on the image of the sign for an enlarged view. Use this site and the companion walking tour guide to explore village landmarks and discover their place in history.
West Newton has a rich heritage of innovation in education, civic leadership and transportation. The educational reformers who taught here in the 1800s changed Newton and the nation. The country’s first commuter railway had its terminus here in 1834, and the seat of Newton’s government was located here from 1848 to 1931. After the Civil War, African-American families established a community here. Learn more by clicking each link.
Find additional research resources here.
Text by Laura Foote with Historic Newton. Photography credits for the sign: Peter Vanderwarker; John Borchard; Historic Newton; Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society; Concord Free Public Library. Graphic Design: Weindesign.