Waban
Waban, once a great hunting ground of the Nonantum Indians, was named after Chief Waban. Chief Waban was the first Massachusetts Indian to convert to Christianity. The first settlers to arrive in the area now known as Waban were John and Rebecca Woodward who received a 30-acre parcel of land as a wedding gift in 1681. The family remained on the land for generations and the original structure still stands in Waban today. As with other villages in Newton, the settling of Waban was extremely slow and did not flourish until after the railroad came through the area. As late as 1874, fewer than 20 farms were located in the area.
In 1886, a train station was built in Waban linking it with nearby Boston and the other villages. This lead to a great jump in residential development as people were looking to get out of the city and into a more suburban setting. Many homes were built ranging from modest wood-frame structures to lavish mansion-like residences on large lots. Today, some of the homes and buildings have been preserved to showcase the architectural design of that era. Many of these homes and buildings appear on the National Register of Historic Places.
While much of the commercial district in Waban houses offices and such, visitors can still find some local dining such as Barry's Village Deli or Kouzina (where reservations are highly suggested).
