Milton "Firsts"

Viols and Piano Manufacturing: In 1798, Milton resident Benjamin Crehore started manufacturing the first bass viols (violincellos) in the United States, operating his shop in Milton Village. Mr. Crehore came from a family with a strong background in woodworking, a foundation crucial to instrument-making endeavors. He began by producing various stringed instruments, including violins, guitars, and notably, bass viols (cellos). This established his expertise in crafting wooden musical instruments.   His early work with stringed instruments provided him with the woodworking skills and an understanding of the acoustics of musical instruments. This knowledge was transferable to the construction of pianos, which both require a high degree of wood working skill, and a good understanding of how the materials resonate to produce musical tones. Mr. Crehore’s work with pianos led to him becoming known as a founder of the Boston school of piano making.

Paper Mills- In 1728, a pioneering paper mill was established near Milton Village, marking a crucial step in early American industry. This mill is widely recognized as the first of its kind in the American Colonies, demonstrating the nascent industrial spirit of the era. While the original 1728 mill changed ownership and operation over time, it laid the groundwork for the later establishment of the Tileston and Hollingsworth Company. This company, a successor to the early papermaking efforts, relocated to River Street in Hyde Park in 1801, continuing the legacy of papermaking in the region.

Railroads: The First Railroad In The United States was built through Quincy and Milton in 1826 by the Granite Railway Company. The enterprise had its origin in the building of the Bunker Hill Monument. The granite used in this structure was quarried in Quincy and worked in sheds of the company located in Milton. Learn more about the Granite Railway.

Chocolate Factory: In 1764, James Hannan, an Irish chocolate maker struggling to find work in Milton, Massachusetts, was aided by fellow Irishman James Boies. Boies provided Hannan with space in a mill, establishing the first chocolate factory in the British provinces of North America. Seven years later, Dr. James Baker acquired the business, which eventually became the Walter Baker Company, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in North America. Learn more about the Baker Chocolate Factory.