Brookfield #58: Central MA’s Best Communities
Monday, June 25, 2012
Brookfield's Central MA's Best Communities rank is #58
This rural community is home to lakes, rivers and open space, an ideal location for the nature lover and sportsman. The town sponsors a farmers market on the common every Friday, as well as the Apple Country Fair each October.
Brookfield's highest ranking is in education, where it comes in at #34, and its lowest rank is for its restaurants, where it ranks 60th.
Established: 1718
Population: 3390
Median household income: $60,189
Median housing price: $205,000
2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 58
Affordability ranking: 54
Education ranking: 34
Economic condition ranking: 55
Safety ranking: 52
Arts & Culture ranking: 56
History in a nutshell:
Brookfield was marked by the King Philip's War and the "most extraordinary crime ever perpetrated in New England." Settlement began in 1660 but was interrupted for a short time because of Native American Attacks as part of the war with Metcom, a Native American Chief, but was eventually incorporated in 1718. 60 years later, the murder of Joshua Spooner by his wife Bathsheba and three soldiers incited immense attention from the Brookfield newspapers; Bathsheba's execution brought 5,000 spectators.
Famous residents:
John Brooks, Jr., Military officer
Asa Danforth, Highway engineer
Elsie the Cow, Commercial mascot,
Mary Jane Hawes, Author
Pliny T. Merrick, Attorney and judge
Famous residents source: Wikipedia
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton
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