Tag: Readville MA

Wikipedia says: Readville is part of the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston. It was called Dedham Low Plains from 1655 until renaming in 1847 after mill owner James Read. It was part of Dedham until 1867. Readville is bordered by the Town of Milton to the south and Town of Dedham to the west. Paul’s Bridge, which is at the neighborhood’s entrance as one approaches from Milton, is one of the oldest bridges in the Commonwealth. The name comes from James Read, a resident and cotton mill owner.

Readville was home to Camp Meigs during the American Civil War, a training camp for Union soldiers, including those of the famed 54th Massachusetts Infantry, portrayed in the film Glory. Another unusual regiment that trained at Camp Meigs was the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry, half of which was recruited in California and sent via ocean transports to Readville for training before being sent to Virginia to the war. There are plaques and small monuments commemorating this history at what is now called Meigs Field. Also established in 1861 was Camp Massasoit.