As Newton’s first village, Newton Corner is full of history and tradition, and lots of great things to do!

A Brief History

Settled in the 1630s, the area of Newton Corner was originally a settlement of Cambridge used for farming. Newton eventually incorporated as its own town in 1688. Through the 17th century it remained an area mostly of scattered farms, until traffic began to increase on Washington Street. Soon a little grouping of homes and shops on Washington began to develop, which served the farmers and wagons with produce that traveled to and from Boston. This cluster of buildings really set in stone Newton Corner’s identity as the first village of Newton. Despite the construction of factories in its residential areas in the 1800s, the neighborhood’s continued growth and development wasn’t due to an industry, but rather transportation. In 1834, the railroad was brought to the village, and it was around that time that it became known as Newton Corner. Traveling at an exciting 6mph, the train was named the Meteor! It made history by sparking a period of suburban development that spanned for a century. The easy access to and from Boston allowed landowners, businessmen, and white collar workers, such as shopkeepers and insurance clerks, to build homes in a variety of sizes in Newton Corner. As desperation for land heightened later in the 1800s, farmlands were broken up into smaller plots for homes to be constructed. Development slowed in the early 1900s, as land was becoming more scarce. The village was split in two in the 1960s with the addition of the Mass Pike, resulting in upheaval to many central businesses and homes. Since then, however, Newton Corner has thrived and developed into the energetic and vibrant community it is today.

Top 8 Things to Do in Newton Corner

• Max and Leo’s Pizza: Known for having “exquisite pizza” (according to the Boston Globe and the locals, of course), Max and Leo’s serves up pizzas fresh from their 900-degree brick oven. This place is a must for anyone looking for some of the best pizza around!

• Buff’s Pub: Consistently deemed to have the best wings around Boston, Buff’s has been creating delicious, crispy chicken wings in the same location since 1976. With 5 spice-levels of Buffalo sauce for the wings, homemade mac and cheese, sandwiches, and a variety of other classic pub eats, Buff’s is a great spot for dinner or a quick bite.

• Newton Commonwealth Golf Course: Open since 1897, the Newton Commonwealth Golf Course offers pristine grounds and a beautiful setting for a round of 18 holes.  

• Thai Amarin: Thai Amarin offers a wide variety of authentic thai food, along with convenient free garage parking for their patrons. We’re sure you’ll enjoy their classic pad thai or find your next favorite dish!

• Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds: Recently revamped with a modern space and upgrades, but still keeping most of its historical features, the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds are a great place to visit for a fun (and educational) few hours. The house was built in the 1700s by Edward Durant, a prominent country squire.

• Corner Café Newton: For over 55 years, this establishment has been serving up great food right in the heart of Newton Corner. Discover a variety of good eats for both breakfast (served all day!) and lunch, including gyros, chicken honey roll-ups, steak and scrambled eggs, and breakfast burritos. 

• Sweet Rossella Bakery: Rossella, the head chef of this family-owned bakery, crafts decadent, authentic Italian desserts and treats. Some fantastic examples of her exceptional work are cantucci (almond biscuits), miche bread, and piedmont soft tart.

• Edmands Park: With beautiful walking trails and wooded hills, Edmands Park is perfect for a relaxing walk - and if you have dogs, they’ll love it too! It’s also a great spot to go sledding in the winter.

Be sure to visit some of these great spots around Newton Corner. Let us know about your experiences, and other places we should add to our list!

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Sources
Historic Newton. Newton Centre. Retrieved from https://www.newtonma.gov/government/historic-newton/research/newton-history/villages/newton-corner.