History of Blackstone

      ADVENTURE - Shops - HISTORY & HERITAGE - Dining & Lodging

17th c. Daniels Farm

BLACKSTONE. Blackstone was incorporated as a town in 1845. It was originally the south parish of Mendon, in which was comprised most of the manufacturing interests of that town. These manufacturing establishments are mostly situated on Mill and Blackstone rivers. The villages are called Millville, Blackstone, Waterford, and Upper and Lower Canadas. The first minister in this place, Rev. Benjamin Balch, was ordained here in the year 1768, as pastor of the congregational church. "And on Saturday morning, March 27th, 1772, before daylight," (says Mr. Whitney in history of Worcester Co.) "Mr. Balch left the parish, without knowledge or consent of the people of his charge." Mr. B was afterwards installed at Barrington, N. H. It appears that at an early period, about one half the inhabitants were Baptists and Friends.

The Daniels Farmstead Foundation Inc. preserves and operates the farm (seen above). The farm and original ell date back to approximately 1750. The large farmhouse was added circa 1830. Several outbuildings on the property are still intact. The Daniels Farmstead is on the National Historic Register.

 Blackstone Block...Built in 1849 by mill owner Welcome Farnum. This brick building was used as a commercial building with small shops, offices, and a large meeting room.

 

St Paul's Catholic Church (right)....Construction began in 1850. This church is unique because it stands in two states, North Smithfield, Rhode Island and Blackstone, Massachusetts. The bell tower was erected in 1872 and the transept with rose windows were added in 1883. Congregational Church on left.

Waterford Depot...Built circa 1850 this wooden structure was a plain, square one story building with two long, covered platforms on opposite sides. The depot was demolished in the late 1960.

Blackstone Gorge...Rolling Dam also called Roaring Dam was built by town resident Daniel Simmons in 1886. The Blackstone Manufacturing Co. wanted a new dam to replace an old earthen dam that formed a reservoir. This reservoir supplied the mill with water. Located at the end of County Street in Blackstone just above the river gorge.

Old Quaker Meetinghouse.... The Friends Meetinghouse as built in 1812. A simple building with a plain interior consisting of plastered walls, wooden pews, and a small organ. The East Blackstone Meetinghouse is on the National Historic Register.

The Waterford school was constructed in 1865 by Welcome Farnum, mill owner. It was a two story wooden building on a raised granite block foundation. Shutters were at each of the six over six pane windows. A cupola on the roof held a bell to call children to school. The building consisted of four large classrooms.

Built in 1836 by the Blackstone Manufacturing Co. in the Greek-Revival style. This church was first used by the Waterford Society of the Free Will Baptist Church. The Congregational church group began using it in 1841. Later this group federated with the Baptist Church. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

The Union Hotel was built in 1853. In addition to being a hotel it also contained law offices and a ballroom on the third floor. The town jail was located in the hotel's basement for a short time.

The Blackstone Woolen Company was owned and operated by the Blackstone Manufacturing Company. The original mill was built in 1808.

Built in 1847 the Lincoln House stood at 97 Main Street. It contained a ballroom that was popular for the grand balls held there every year. The building was torn down in the 1960

The Blackstone Manufacturing Co. leased the land where the fire station was located to the Town of Blackstone in 1895. The town appropriated $3,000 for construction of the fire station. Local builder John Kenney erected the building. A two-story, wooden building with hip roof and wood shingles. The building had three doors for fire equipment and a bell tower
 

 Blackstone Historical Museum ~ Blackstone Cemeteries