The Millis, Massachusetts Historical Commission, chartered by the town's Board of Selectmen, is responsible for oversight of historical properties (Oak Grove Farm is pictured at below), organizes historical events, and advises the Board on matters pertaining to historical significance.

The Town of Millis is a suburban industrial town in the Charles River Valley, incorporated in 1885. First settled in 1658, the first mill was built in town in 1662 on Bogestow Pond. The town's early economy was based largely on agriculture and grazing. King Philip's war destroyed every building in town except the fortified stone house built for protection. There were taverns, grist and saw mills serving the farming population in town after 1710, and the community remained a prosperous agricultural town throughout the century. In the next century, the town's character changed with the two cotton mills established in 1805. One of these mills is reputed to have installed the first lace loom in America in 1818. Brickyards, organ and organ pipe factories, along with a paper mill and canning factory, in operation in 1837, joined the textile operations as significant town industries. In the twentieth century, however, all that showcased the town's early industrial heritage were Herman Shoes, Safe Pack Mills and the Clicquot Club ginger ale plant.

Reflecting its industrial past, Millis retains a significant number of bungalow-style houses as well as some Greek Revival and Italianate buildings.

Oak Grove Farm House
410 Exchange St.
Millis, Massachusetts 02054

The continuing presence of historic properties in Massachusetts immeasurably enhances the quality of our lives; they help to establish our sense of place and to define the very character of our communities. To meet the challenge of preserving this important heritage, the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) was established by the legislature in 1963 to identify, evaluate, and protect important historical and archaeological assets of the Commonwealth.

According to “The History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable Counties Massachusetts” by Elroy S. Thompson, "There is one thing you can say about Millis and that is that it has more ginger than all the other towns."

Whether there is any truth to the rumor that ginger ale was invented here, it is certainly true that world class bottling ventures have resided and prospered here.

From its start on Curve Street through the closure of Cott bottling in the 1970s the waters of Millis have been shipped all over the world in the form of soft drinks.

Union Hose Company

Lansing Millis was successful in turning the small town of Millis into an important area of Massachusetts. Lansing Millis, who was widely known as a connoisseur in railroads and trains, built up a strong rail system in Millis. This was arguably his most important accomplishment, as the rail system is regarded as the most significant factor in its independence from Medway. In addition, the railroad system was a major factor in the early promotion of economic growth in the town and the integration of Millis to the larger cities of Dedham, Boston, and Cambridge, Massachusetts. Currently, this old railroad that used to begin in Medway is known as the "The Woonsocket Division of the New York and New England" Railroad. 

The Medway tracks have since been dismantled, making Millis the railroad's western terminus. The railroad is now mostly defunct, but several miles of the Bay Colony tracks in Millis are privately owned and operated by the GAF industrial enterprise located in the Clicquot neighborhood of Millis. The Bay Colony Railroad merges with the present day MBTA Commuter Rail in Needham.

Industrial History

Henry Millis founded the Clicquot Club Company in 1881 with money he received from his father, a retired railroad baron, Lansing Millis, in Millis Massachusetts – a small town named after his family.

The bottling operation started with a product similar to sparkling cider and later expanded to include other flavored beverages. His ginger ale would become famous for it rich aged flavor. In addition to the ginger ale the product line included birch beer, root beer, colas, and fruit flavored products.

Millis Massachusetts, 1890 Millis, situated on the west side of the Charles River and on the northwestern side of Norfolk County, is a new and very pleasant town, mainly agricultural in its pursuits. The Woonsocket Division of the New York and New England Railroad passes through the midst of the town, having a very attractive station at the centre village — Millis,— 23 miles from Boston. The other village is Rockville, on the Charles River in the southern part of the town. Millis is bounded on the north by Sherborn, on the east by Medfield, on the southeast and south by Norfolk, and on the west by Medway. The assessed area is 7,000 acres; including 2,312 acres of woodland. The surface for the most part is gently undulating. In the south, cast and north are groups of small hills. Boggistere Brook enters the town at the northwest, and, forming two ponds and marking the form of three oxbows in its course, it unites with the Charles River at the northeast corner. One of these is South End Pond, lying near the Charles. Near its western shore are to be seen the remains of fortifications erected during King Philip's War. The Charles River forms the boundary line for the entire eastern and part of the southern sides of the town; and at Rockville furnishes a fine power, which is only partially utilized. There were, according to the last State census, 59 farms, whose aggregate product in 1885 had the value of $87,470. Cranberries, apples and strawberries are largely cultivated. The extensive and somewhat famous " Oak Grove Farm" is in this town. There are here a canning factory, an organ pipe factory, a church organ factory of long-established reputation, a carriage factory, a broom and brush factory, and several smaller establishments. The value of the aggregate product in the year mentioned was $40,646. The valuation of the town in 1888 was $467,955, with a tax-rate of $11 on $1,000. The number of assessed dwelling-houses was 171; and the legal voters numbered 167. There is an excellent high school, with the lower grades. The papers published here are the " Advance" and the "Observer." A well-equipped free public library, located in suitable apartments, has been given to the town by the Millis family, who are resident here. This town was formed from the eastern part of the town of Medway, and incorporated February 24, 1885. The water and air are excellent, and the town is regarded as unusually favorable to health. The central village is noted for its quiet and home-like aspect. pp. 467-468 in Nason and Varney's Massachusetts Gazetteer, 1890 Gazetteer