The town of Abington is in Plymouth County and
has a population of approximately 17,000 in a total area of 10.2 square miles.
Located 20 miles
south of Boston, Abington is a small residential town bordering Brockton. It has little industry, but an expanding commercial development, while
the community retains a significant reserve of undeveloped land and a rural feeling.
Located between
Route 24 & Route 3, there are several main routes through town, but no direct freeway access.
The former Old
Colony Railroad line runs through the eastern part of town, and is currently used as a part of the MBTA’s commuter
rail line. There's a stop just southwest of the intersection of Routes 123 and 58.
Abington was first
settled by Europeans in 1668 and incorporated in 1712. Its primary industry was
the manufacture of boots and shoes in the 1800s and early 1900s. Abington factories
provided nearly half of the footwear for the Union Army during the Civil War.
The Shumatuscacant River
runs through the eastern part of town, and was the source of much of the water power used by the shoe factories. The
Beaver Brook provides the town’s western border with Brockton.
The town operates Strawberry Valley Golf Course (a nine-hole municipal
course) and Island Grove Park. The Park is approximately 55 acres, located in the southeastern
part of town. It includes Island Grove Pond, a spring-fed swimming area and recreation site.
In the northwestern corner of town lies Ames Nowell State Park, a 700+ acre park where camping, hiking and picnicking are available, as well as a ball field. The Park is around the man-made Cleveland Pond, which is popular
with boaters and fishermen.
Abington
high school students
have the option of choosing to attend the South Shore Vocational-Technical High School in Hanover.
