Acton Stories

South Acton had a large, well-photographed parade and other events to celebrate the 4th of July in 1915.

Learning which Acton residents were at Concord's North Bridge on April 19, 1775 is helped by a list written by a militia captain of Acton's East company.

Two soldiers with the same name serving in the same Acton War of 1812 company caused ongoing confusion.

See a sign-up sheet of Acton's East militia company as of Sept. 29, 1774 under Capt. Robbins.

Building the State Prison in Concord created controversy in the 1870s and 1880s.

A look back at how Acton residents spent the summer months in 1921.

James Emery, a 21-year-old Acton native was killed at Saratoga.

Isaac Ramsdell died in service in 1780, leaving a widow and children behind in Acton.

Online 1855 census indices have missed a page of Acton residents, available here.

Discussion of Irish immigration to Acton, based on information in the 1850 and 1855 censuses of town.

An 1828 listing showed that the East Acton school housed 87 students. Research was done to identify them.

A picture of a derailed engine led to research into its origins and its photographer.

Ebenezer Davis Sr. & Jr., known for their bellows business, had many business ventures.

The East Acton school district's elusive history pieced together from clues left behind.

A souvenir from the stagecoach era led to research into travel before the railroad arrived.

Teacher Ella Miller's commute to work involved evolving challenges over her long career in the Acton schools.

Ella Miller and her family left behind a treasure trove of information & photos from their years in North Acton and Acton center.

An Acton diary provided dates and the context of photographs of an Acton ice storm.