Brockton, located in Plymouth County, lies on the banks of Salisbury River whose county seat is held by Brockton and Plymouth. The city is well known for the high standard of its educational facilities, notably its public school system which has won many national awards.
Boston, Massachusetts, is about 20 miles to the north and Providence, Rhode Island, is approximately 30 miles to the south east. Nearby towns are Avon, Whitman, West Bridgewater, Abington, Easton and Holbrook. Those moving to Brockton will also discover relatively warm summers with very cold winters.
Economy:
To this day Brockton is known as the 'Shoe City' because of its huge leather products and shoe industry which continues to provide employment opportunities and income to the city. The textile industry also flourished in the area and, together with the shoe industry, is responsible for the employment of over 6,000 people (out of a population of approximately 40,000) in more than 100 business involved in these two manufacturing enterprises.
History:
The area of Brockton was originally called Saughtucket and belonged to the Ousamequin or Massasoit Native America tribe who, in 1649, sold the land to Myles Standish who already owned large tracts of the surrounding land. Brockton was first called Bridgewater by the English who settled the area, but in 1821 it was renamed as North Bridgewater. In 1874 its name was again changed, this time to Brockton and it was officially made a city in 1991.
Tourism:
Brockton is a very cultural city and has many venues worth visiting. Three linked museums are operated by the Brockton Historical Society, showcasing the history of the city, while The Fuller Craft Museum showcases contemporary crafts.
James Orent is the musical director of the Brockton Symphony Orchestra which is proud of its commitment to promote music to the younger generation.
The city has excellent shopping facilities and many restaurants offering a vast variety of international cuisines.