History Douglas, Massachusetts

jenckes store appeared in 1800s

the name of douglas first given territory of town in year 1746. new sherburn or new sherburn grant had been designation, since first occupancy english settlers 1715. original settlers came sherburn, although many hailed natick well. new sherburn removed suffolk county (or middlesex county?) worcester county @ formation on april 2, 1731. name douglas given in 1746, when dr. william douglas, eminent physician of boston, in consideration of privilege of naming township offered inhabitants sum of $500.00 fund establishment of free schools tract of 30 acres (12 ha) of land dwelling house , barn thereon.

douglas s forests gave rise woodcutting industry , douglas axe company. woolen manufacturing company, on mumford river in east douglas, in recent times held schuster family, has been prominent in history of community. general lafayette, of france, stopped here during revolutionary war, change horses, on way boston join general washington. lafayette hero of american revolution , french revolution.

from period reaching beyond 1635, bands of native americans, principally nipmuc tribe, dominated region of worcester county. blackstone river once called nipmuc river. of douglas part of blackstone river valley national heritage corridor.

the underlying geology consists of rocks rich in quartz, feldspar, , mica. boulders plentifully scattered on town, , gold , silver ores said found in localities. large quantities of building , ornamental stone quarried granite ledges found in center of town shipped every section of new england.

police chief patrick foley of douglas elected vice president of international association of chiefs of police (iacp), @ annual convention in denver, colorado, in 2009.

a common misconception in douglas in regard new england trunkline trail. many believe railroad tracks laid here commuting northern connecticut northern massachusetts. in fact, used haul ice wallum lake interstate commerce. today can hike these trails through massachusetts , connecticut. new england trunkline planned railroad, financier died in sinking of titanic.

the e. n. jenckes store museum

jenckes store & museum 2013

the e.n. jenckes store , museum sits on main street in village of east douglas. ebenezer balkcom opened small store @ corner of main , pleasant (now depot) streets during 1830s, when east douglas becoming economic center of town. store changed hands (sold gardner chase) until retired , sold building edward l. jenckes. after jenckes death in 1924 daughters e. mialma , helen r. continued run show until store closed doors in 1964. store remained closed until 1972 when property donated douglas historical society, restored original general store appearance of 100 years ago.