Medfield is an attractive suburban town southwest of Boston along Route 109 which connects to major state arteries Route 128 and Interstate 495. The town's position at an important crossing point of the Charles River valley leading to the western interior of the state has figured significantly in its long history since it was incorporated in 1651.
Located on a rugged upland watershed area and the adjacent river meadow, Medfield was the site of major native settlements and of early English settlements. However, development was stalled after the Native American uprisings during King Philip's Wars. The early economy of what is now Medfield was agriculture and cattle pasturing with some dairying and orchards. Over time, the town grew gradually from an interior frontier community to a somewhat prosperous rural town where residents continued to engage in grazing and crop raising.
In the 19th century, manufacturing began with lucrative straw hat making operations. The Medfield State Mental Hospital was developed in the 1890s, providing an increase in the number of jobs for Medfield's growing population. Today, the town is largely a residential suburb of around 11,000 residents spread out over 14 square miles. This peaceful, pastoral community preserves its architectural tradition of handsome 18th and 19th century buildings. Among the community's impressive structures is the newly renovated brick Georgian style Memorial Library on Main Street in Downtown Medfield.
Typical of most other small to medium sized New England communities, Medfield has a town government consisting of a board of selectmen, open town meeting and town administrator. The government oversees a number of municipal services including a school district comprised of two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.
Medfield is strategically located just 19 miles from Boston, 18 miles from Brockton and 29 miles from Providence, Rhode Island. Commuter rail service is available to Back Bay Station in Boston from neighboring Walpole. Other communities surrounding Medfield include Millis on the west, Sherborn on the northwest, Dover on the north, and Norfolk on the south.
Home prices in Medfield reflect the community's desirability. In February 2010, the average home sales price for a single family home or condo in Medfield, MA was $672,000. While this data is collected from the MLS and deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed.
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