Auburndale
Auburndale, formerly known as Pigeonville, was given its present name by Reverend C.D. Pigeon in 1845. Located along the banks of the Charles River, Auburndale is sometimes referred to as "Auburndale-on-the-Charles." One of the earliest known settlers to the area, William Robinson built a home here in 1678 on what is now Freeman Street. 473 lies home to the oldest house standing in Auburndale, built in 1730 by Robinson. Auburndale is the home of Williams and Burr elementary schools as well as Lasell College. Lasell College, founded in 1851 as the Auburndale Female Seminary by Edward Lasell, was renamed Lasell Female Seminary in 1852 after the death of Mr. Lasell from typhoid fever. In 1932, the college changed names again to Lasell Junior College. In 1989, when the school became a 4-year institution, it took on its current name of Lasell College. Lasell College remained an "all girl's school" until 1997 when it began admitting male students.
Another notable place of interest tied to Auburndale is Norumbega Park. Norumbega Park was opened in June of 1897 as an amusement park. The park was built by the directors of the Commonwealth Avenue Street Railway in an attempt to increase revenue and patronage of the trolley running between Boston and Auburndale. The park was a tremendous success and included many rides, a zoo, and the Totem Pole Ballroom. In 1963, with the increasing popularity of the automobile and the building of major theme parks such as Disneyworld, Norumbega was forced to close its doors and the Totem Pole followed suit in February of 1964.
Auburndale is the home of many other historical sites, many of which appear on the National Registry of Historic Sites. Along with exploring these historical treasures, visitors to Auburndale can find great gifts and more at local shops such as Just Next Door Card and Gift Shop and The Enchanted Child. Visitors will also want to stop by Tom's Pizza and Sandwich Shop, known for their amazing pizza. While out and about, perhaps visitors will run into Howard Zinn, known for great works such as A People's History of the United States or Jim Muller, recipient of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Voice of the Faithful.
