Brockton, Massachusetts

4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 10 BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS any top-notch American city needs to have to attract a wide range of residents and workers and support people.” Originally settled in 1649 as Bridgewater, after being purchased by British military officer Myles Standish, Brockton officially became a city in 1881. It was renamed in honor of British General Isaac Brock, and today has a healthy population of just under 106,000. During the American Civil War and World War I, Brockton became the largest producer of shoes in the country. It continued its legacy as “the Shoe City” well into the 21st century, with the last shoe factory closing in 2006. Today, many of the city’s former shoe factories have been redeveloped and repurposed into commercial and residential space. No longer the “Shoe City”, Brockton quickly took on the name “City of Champions” due to the success of its native boxers Rocky Marciano and Martin Hagler, as well as its wealth of sports programs. Though the moniker pays tribute to the city’s love of sport, Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan says it’s also an homage to Brockton’s heart and soul – its residents. He emphasizes, “It’s the people here that are everyday doing a champion effort here in Brockton. What makes Brockton special are the men and women that make up the community. It’s a special place.” Brockton is special for many reasons. For one, the city boasts many significant and historical firsts. It’s the site of the first electrified fire station in the United States – an event attended by Thomas Jefferson himself. It is also home to the first electrified movie theater, first electrified street light, and the first place Old St. Nick stopped in to greet children. “The first department store Santa Claus was a Brocktonian named James Edgar,” Sullivan explains. “He had a small department store downtown and wanted to keep the kids happy during the holiday season.”