FOXBORO MA

FOXBORO MA

Foxboro Town Common

Built - 1952

The town of Foxboro is not only the home of Gillette Stadium for the New England Patriots NFL team, but also "sports" one of the oldest town common areas in New England. This parcel of land dates back to the year 1783 when Foxboro was just a New England hamlet of but six hundred residents. These original citizens felt that the pride in their town would best be shown by having a special common area which would not only serve as the center of town, but also promote a pleasing physical aspect which would bring in more settlers.

The Foxboro town hall has provided a history of that plot of land but not much other information on its present bandstand which seems to be the third one the town has erected on this historical ground. The bandstand probably was built in the 1950s judging by its outward appearance and seems to have had much use over the years.

The most importatnt feature of this common area, other than the bandstand, is evidently its original-style cast iron fence which encircles the perimeter of the common area and of which dates back to the early 1800s only being replaced in parts that were damaged by motor vehicle accidents over the years.