MetroWest Villages & Towns - Waban
Among the thirteen villages of Newton is a village known as Waban. Located in southwestern Newton, Waban is currently home to just over 5,400 people and the many local businesses serving the thriving community. The Waban Station ushers residents to and from work and helps students reach the many nearby educational institutions.
According to the information obtained from Wikipedia (1), the village of Waban was named for Waban who is thought to be one of the first members of the Massachusett tribe. Although he may have lived closer to Nonantum, a hill two miles away, to explain why the village took on this name in 1886, Dr. Lawrence Strong, in his history of the town, later wrote:
“My father, William Chamberlain Strong, was very active in securing the right-of-way for the Boston and Albany Railroad at the time the Newton Circuit Road was built. The location of a station here marked a potential village, and a name was required. My father had previously lived on Nonantum Hill in Brighton, where Waban, the Chief of the Indian tribe Nonantum, had his wigwam, and where Eliot, the Apostle to the Indians, preached. A memorial marks this spot today. So the name "Waban" for the new village easily suggested itself to my father. I am told Waban, or Wabanoki, means "east" in the Indian tongue.”
Based on this historic reference, it seemed appropriate to share some information on The Strong Building which is located on Beacon Street in Waban. The Strong Building, a Dutch Revival building designed by Lewis Bacon, was built in 1896 as the demand for neighborhood retail establishments became apparent to Mr. Strong. As a result, Mr. Strong became known as the Father of Retail in the area.
In 1924, The Strong Building was expanded to include the single story retail shops to the right.
