Town Information
The Town of Natick is a suburban industrial center located on the upper basin of the Charles and Concord Rivers with an extensive complex of ponds. The town was from earliest Colonial days a prime target for development, possessing as it did good agricultural land, fish runs and water power. Established in 1650 on the Charles River, Natick had the first and largest Indian praying town in the colonies, one that became the model for all other attempts to inculcate European standards into Indians. John Elliot, the great missionary, secured a charter of 6,000 acres for the Indians and converted them to Christianity. Unfortunately, Natick’s Indian population was forcibly resettled on Deer Island during the King Phillip’s War and essentially never returned.
In Colonial days, Natick was an agricultural community with some orchards and some lumbering. Grist and sawmills were established and Indian ownership and control gave way to white dominance between 1676 and 1776.
Later, Natick became a center of commerce that included many independent businesses such as the shoe industry and the manufacture of baseballs.
Today, Natick offers some of the best shopping in the metrowest. In addition to a thriving downtown area, there are outstanding shops in the Natick Mall and all along Route 9. Adjacent Framingham has one of the largest and best cinema complexes in the area, with 14 theatres from which to choose.
Notable Natick recreational areas include Dug Pond and Lake Cochituate, with beaches, picnic areas and boating opportunities.
South Natick, along the banks of the Charles River is a quaint and more rural part of town. Its charming village area is surrounded by walking trails at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary and Elm Bank as well as some lovely neighborhoods of new construction.
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