Interior House Painter Millis MA

Millis, Massachusetts
Town
Veterans Memorial Building
Seal
Motto:  In unitate vis (Latin “Strength in Unity”)
Location in Norfolk County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°10′03″N 71°21′30″W / 42.16750°N 71.35833°W / 42.16750; -71.35833Coordinates: 42°10′03″N 71°21′30″W / 42.16750°N 71.35833°W / 42.16750; -71.35833
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Norfolk
Settled	1657
Incorporated	1885
Government
• Type	Open town meeting
Area
• Total	31.8 km (12.3 sq mi)
• Land	31.5 km2 (12.2 sq mi)
• Water	0.3 km (0.1 sq mi)
Elevation	50 m (163 ft)
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,460
• Density	268.6/km2 (693.4/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code	02054
Area code	508 / 774
FIPS code	25-41515
GNIS feature ID	0618324
Website	www.millisma.gov

Millis is a town in Norfolk County in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It had a population of 8,460 at the time of the 2020 census. The town is approximately 19 miles (31 km) southwest of downtown Boston and is bordered by Norfolk, Sherborn, Holliston, Medfield, and Medway. Massachusetts state routes 109 and 115 run through Millis.

History

Millis was first settled in 1657 and was officially incorporated in 1885. Millis was originally part of Dedham, until that town granted the lands of Millis, and other present day surrounding towns, to Medfield in 1651. In 1713, pioneers of Medfield applied for a grant to create a new town and, when approved, named this new land Medway. This new town consisted of West Medway (the present day town of Medway) and East Medway (present day Millis). Lansing Millis, the founder of the town of Millis, successfully incorporated Millis into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 24, 1885.

Lansing Millis was successful in turning the small town of Millis into an important area of Massachusetts. Lansing Millis, who was widely known as a railroad entrepreneur, built up a strong rail system in Millis. This was arguably his most important accomplishment, as the rail system is regarded as the most significant factor in its independence from Medway. In addition, the railroad system was a major factor in the early promotion of economic growth in the town and the integration of Millis to the larger cities of Dedham, Boston and Cambridge. Currently, this old railroad that formerly began in Medway is known as the Bay Colony Railroad. The Medway tracks have since been dismantled, making Millis the railroad’s western terminus. The railroad is now mostly defunct, but several miles of the Bay Colony tracks in Millis are owned by the MBTA and are leased by the Bay Colony Railroad line. The Bay Colony Railroad merges with the present day MBTA Commuter Rail in Needham.

Aside from the tremendous contribution of the rail system to Millis’ integration with the major Massachusetts cities, another important moment in the town’s history is the construction of the Hartford and Dedham Turnpike, known today as Massachusetts Route 109. The road was constructed in 1806 and officially accepted by the town of Millis in 1896. The Hartford and Dedham Turnpike connected Millis, Medway, Medfield, and several other towns directly to Dedham and Boston. Today, Route 109 still serves as a major road connecting Metrowest Boston communities to the city of Boston.

Millis was the home of the “Millis Wonderland”, a display of Christmas decorations and lights on the 40-acre (160,000 m) Causeway Street estate of Kevin Meehan, the owner of several car dealerships. In 2004, Al Roker traveled to Millis for a segment centered on the “Millis Wonderland”. After the publicity on The Today Show, an estimated 6,000 cars traveled to the “Millis Lights” daily during the Christmas season. The display was permanently closed after the 2014 holiday season.

Industrial history

The industrial history of Millis is long and varied, beginning with the water power of a small establishment named Hinsdell’s mill. Soon, Millis grew from a small new town with a mill to a successful industrial society. Numerous industries opened up in the town and stimulated employment and growth. Some of these industries include the Holbrook factories, which included a bell foundry, organ manufactory, and organ pipe manufactory, Clicquot Club, and Herman Shoe Company; the latter two being the most notable industries in the town’s history.

Today the prominent employers in the town are Tresca Brothers Sand & Gravel and Roche Bros. Supermarket. Millis was also home to a thriving automobile recycling industry located in the western, industrial section of town.

Herman Shoe Company

The Herman Shoe Company was an extremely important industry in town. The Herman Shoe Company, a result of several private buyouts, produced large amounts of material, specifically boots and other equipment, during the Spanish–American War. In addition, it produced most of the boots worn by the troops during World War II.