West BridgeWater MA TownWest Bridgewater was first settled in 1644 by English colonists that would eventually found the town of Bridgewater. However, the earliest documentable event occurred in 1649 when a group of petitioners from Bridgewater and Plymouth requested that their lands be expanded westward to include an area known as "Wast Bridge" on the banks of the Nemasket River. This initial incorporation fell through, but subsequent surveys led to establishing a new plantation bounded by "the highway which leads from Plymouth to Namaschet Ferry" (now Washington Street) on the east, Hemlock Brook on the south, and Stony Brook on the west. The area came under intense development shortly after settlement. The presence of iron ore and abundant forests combined make West Bridgewater a center of manufacturing. The first significant wave of immigration occurred between 1650-1660, with the second following in the early 18th century as French Protestant Huguenots moved into the area after escaping religious persecution in their home country. West Bridgewater played an essential role in early events that led to American independence, including hosting one of five courts established by Governor Thomas Gage to prosecute Massachusetts residents accused of acts prejudicial to the crown. This court convened at the First Parish Church on October 21st, 1774, resulting in three death sentences for spying against imperial interests. Although only sparsely populated until the 18th century, West Bridgewater has maintained its rural character even while growing into a bustling metropolis of over 22,000 residents. As a result, the town has been rated as one of the top 100 places to live in America on several occasions and was recently awarded the National Civic League's All-America City Award for excellence in community planning. Population in West Bridgewater, MAThe 2010 census recorded 24,770 people, over 5 times the 1,607 people that resided in the town in 1790. However, this represents a 0.4% increase over the 2000 census, much lower than the state's average growth rate of 5.6%. As of 2010, West Bridgewater was 95% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.8% Asian, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 1.7% of the population, with Puerto Rican (0Hispanic) being the majority at 381 people (or .2%). Over 11 percent (11%) of town residents are foreign-born compared to only 5-6 percent in surrounding communities like Easton and Raynham. Eight hundred ninety-eight families lived in West Bridgewater as of 2010; the average household size is 2.55 members. Approximately 22% of families have children below 18, 34% are married couples living together, and 54% of residents live alone with no family present. The median age of a West Bridgewater resident is 41 years old with 14.4% under five years old, 6.9% from 15 to 19, 5.3% from 20-24, 11.6% from 25-34, 30.7% from 35-49, 19.8% from 50-64 and 12.2 percent who were 65 years of age or older. |
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Geography of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
West Bridgewater is located in southeastern Massachusetts at (42.04097, -71.00610).
It borders the town of Brockton to its southeast and East Bridgewater to its northwest.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.9 square miles. 23.2 square miles of it is land and 0.3 square miles of it is water.
It borders the town of Brockton to its southeast and East Bridgewater to its northwest.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.9 square miles. 23.2 square miles of it is land and 0.3 square miles of it is water.
Population Demographics in West Bridgewater, MA
The ethnicity of people living in West Bridge water is 91% White, 1% Black or African American, 6% Hispanic or Latino, 2% Asian, 3% Multiracial, and 0.5% other races alone. 940 (.4%) Americans identify as being of mixed race.
There are 8,728 households, out of which 32% have children under 18 living with them, 60.5% are married couples living together, 9.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 52.8% are non-families. 29.2% of all households are made up of individuals, and 10.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older.
The average household size is 2.81, and the average family size is 3.
Tourism in West Bridgewater, MA
The town is recognized by the National Civic League as an "All-America City" for 2004, 2005, and 2007.
Here are some notable places you can visit when you are in town:
The Five Corners Burying Ground
The Five Corners Burying Ground was established in 1729 at the center of town with land donated by Captain James Knowles.
The oldest gravestone located here belongs to Captain Thomas Knowles, who died in 1769 at 41. Other notable burials include William Gove, a local militia leader during the American Revolution who was killed in action during the Battle of Rhode Island on August 29th, 1778.
Also buried are several victims of infamous 19th-century murderer H.H. Holmes whose crimes took place across New England.
We're so horrific they notoriety throughout America's newspapers who decided to relocate his victims to the small town of West Bridgewater to avoid capture.
Lakeview Cemetery
Lakeview Cemetery was established in 1860 when a group of citizens decided it would be a more fitting place for burial than the cramped, overflowing Five Corners Burying Ground.
Many West Bridge water residents are buried in this cemetery, including Alice Freeman Thompson, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 1996.
The award is America's highest civilian honor and is presented by the President of the United States.
The Former Train Station
The former train station was built initially c. 1860 by the Brockton and Pembroke Railroad and displayed a sign proudly proclaiming "West Brockton" once upon a time.
Unfortunately, a fire destroyed part of the building's roof, and a new one was constructed around the original cupola from c. 1875. The station closed down during the 1950s and fell into disrepair.
In 1985, West Bridge water citizens formed a committee to save this historic icon and restore it once again.
The first floor now contains a museum dedicated to the town's history and a visitor information center for those interested in exploring further.
Many other buildings also fall under this umbrella, including the Galusha House built in 1792, Knowles Schoolhouse built c. 1891, and the second schoolhouse built c. 1895 as well as the Unitarian Universalist Church, which began as a Methodist church back in 1886 before being purchased by another congregation who moved from East Bridgewater.
West Bridgewater Reservoir
The West Bridgewater Reservoir is one of the three major water supply reservoirs for the Brockton area.
It's located just south of Lake Nippenicket and was completed in 1914.
The reservoir can hold 8.3 billion gallons (32,000-acre-feet) and has a surface area of 375 acres (1.52 km2).
There are plans to increase its capacity with Phase II construction to improve the quality and security of the city's drinking water supply by increasing storage volume and fire flow capabilities and accommodating new wells that will eventually be drilled into the Chicopee aquifer.
Interstate 93 Northbound Exit Sign
An old sign from Interstate 93 northbound near West Bridge water once read "Exit 3: West Bridgewater" but was replaced in the early 2000s when the motion was replaced after a crash to make it more readable.
The original sign is now safely located in honor of the Brockton Water Treatment Plant on CREST trail in North Easton.
This trail runs for about 16 miles from Willington, Connecticut, to Canada.
It is part of the more extensive Nipmuc Regional High School Trail system, covering over 90 miles, including neighboring towns such as North Easton, Hopedale, Milford, Mendon, Uxbridge, Acushnet, and others.
The Zoo & Park
West Bridge water's zoo features everything from deer to zebras located within 35 acres adjacent to Lakeview Cemetery. The zoo has been in operation since 1955 and is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers.
In 2012, there were over 22,000 visitors during its annual open season from May through October.
The Reservoir Loop Trail
This five-mile trail loops around the West Bridgewater Reservoir and provides a scenic hike or bike ride for both experienced and casual riders. It features a 100-foot observation tower located at the highest point of the trail where hikers can get panoramic views of nearby Lake Nippenicket and Mount Wachusett, situated south in Princeton, MA.
This popular destination has many local amenities, including restrooms located inside both parking lots next to Gates #1 & #4 that provide drinking water fountains with pet drinking fountains.
There's also a picnic area for those who might want to have lunch deep in the woods of West Bridgewater.
A playground is located next to the picnic area, along with a boat launch site near Gate #4, which allows people to take their canoes or kayaks out on Lake Nippenicket if they're looking for a different kind of adventure.
This trail runs through major residential areas and passes several local businesses, including restaurants, convenience stores, hotels/motels, auto repair shops, and department stores.
There are 8,728 households, out of which 32% have children under 18 living with them, 60.5% are married couples living together, 9.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 52.8% are non-families. 29.2% of all households are made up of individuals, and 10.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older.
The average household size is 2.81, and the average family size is 3.
Tourism in West Bridgewater, MA
The town is recognized by the National Civic League as an "All-America City" for 2004, 2005, and 2007.
Here are some notable places you can visit when you are in town:
The Five Corners Burying Ground
The Five Corners Burying Ground was established in 1729 at the center of town with land donated by Captain James Knowles.
The oldest gravestone located here belongs to Captain Thomas Knowles, who died in 1769 at 41. Other notable burials include William Gove, a local militia leader during the American Revolution who was killed in action during the Battle of Rhode Island on August 29th, 1778.
Also buried are several victims of infamous 19th-century murderer H.H. Holmes whose crimes took place across New England.
We're so horrific they notoriety throughout America's newspapers who decided to relocate his victims to the small town of West Bridgewater to avoid capture.
Lakeview Cemetery
Lakeview Cemetery was established in 1860 when a group of citizens decided it would be a more fitting place for burial than the cramped, overflowing Five Corners Burying Ground.
Many West Bridge water residents are buried in this cemetery, including Alice Freeman Thompson, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 1996.
The award is America's highest civilian honor and is presented by the President of the United States.
The Former Train Station
The former train station was built initially c. 1860 by the Brockton and Pembroke Railroad and displayed a sign proudly proclaiming "West Brockton" once upon a time.
Unfortunately, a fire destroyed part of the building's roof, and a new one was constructed around the original cupola from c. 1875. The station closed down during the 1950s and fell into disrepair.
In 1985, West Bridge water citizens formed a committee to save this historic icon and restore it once again.
The first floor now contains a museum dedicated to the town's history and a visitor information center for those interested in exploring further.
Many other buildings also fall under this umbrella, including the Galusha House built in 1792, Knowles Schoolhouse built c. 1891, and the second schoolhouse built c. 1895 as well as the Unitarian Universalist Church, which began as a Methodist church back in 1886 before being purchased by another congregation who moved from East Bridgewater.
West Bridgewater Reservoir
The West Bridgewater Reservoir is one of the three major water supply reservoirs for the Brockton area.
It's located just south of Lake Nippenicket and was completed in 1914.
The reservoir can hold 8.3 billion gallons (32,000-acre-feet) and has a surface area of 375 acres (1.52 km2).
There are plans to increase its capacity with Phase II construction to improve the quality and security of the city's drinking water supply by increasing storage volume and fire flow capabilities and accommodating new wells that will eventually be drilled into the Chicopee aquifer.
Interstate 93 Northbound Exit Sign
An old sign from Interstate 93 northbound near West Bridge water once read "Exit 3: West Bridgewater" but was replaced in the early 2000s when the motion was replaced after a crash to make it more readable.
The original sign is now safely located in honor of the Brockton Water Treatment Plant on CREST trail in North Easton.
This trail runs for about 16 miles from Willington, Connecticut, to Canada.
It is part of the more extensive Nipmuc Regional High School Trail system, covering over 90 miles, including neighboring towns such as North Easton, Hopedale, Milford, Mendon, Uxbridge, Acushnet, and others.
The Zoo & Park
West Bridge water's zoo features everything from deer to zebras located within 35 acres adjacent to Lakeview Cemetery. The zoo has been in operation since 1955 and is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers.
In 2012, there were over 22,000 visitors during its annual open season from May through October.
The Reservoir Loop Trail
This five-mile trail loops around the West Bridgewater Reservoir and provides a scenic hike or bike ride for both experienced and casual riders. It features a 100-foot observation tower located at the highest point of the trail where hikers can get panoramic views of nearby Lake Nippenicket and Mount Wachusett, situated south in Princeton, MA.
This popular destination has many local amenities, including restrooms located inside both parking lots next to Gates #1 & #4 that provide drinking water fountains with pet drinking fountains.
There's also a picnic area for those who might want to have lunch deep in the woods of West Bridgewater.
A playground is located next to the picnic area, along with a boat launch site near Gate #4, which allows people to take their canoes or kayaks out on Lake Nippenicket if they're looking for a different kind of adventure.
This trail runs through major residential areas and passes several local businesses, including restaurants, convenience stores, hotels/motels, auto repair shops, and department stores.
Need to tow a car in the middle of West Bridgewater, MA?
Whether you got your car stuck in West Bridgewater mud or you need it towed because it won't start, we at Brockton Towing are your go-to West Bridgewater towing company.
Call us for a free tow estimate!
We can help you tow your car wherever you may be in West Bridgewater.
We offer mobile towing service straight from your West Bridgewater home or business. We can also pick up your vehicle at a West Bridgewater storage facility, shopping center, or other location!
We make sure that our customers are satisfied with the quality of our towing services by offering both 24-hour Dispatching and flat-fee pricing. You won't find this anywhere else in West Bridgewater!
West Bridgewater Car Towing Services:
- Tow Your Car Anywhere in West Bridgewater
- Free Tow Estimate
- 24-Hour Dispatching
- Flat Fee Pricing for All Services
- Highly Trained & Experienced Tow Truck Drivers
- Commercial & Residential Local Towing Services
Why Choose Us?
If you're looking for the best West Bridgewater tow truck company, look no further than Towing Brockton MA. We've been in the towing business for over 30 years and hold a Class-C Wrecker Operator License, which allows us to tow cars wherever in West Bridgewater, MA.