Auburndale

Fondly referred to as The Dale and Auburndale-on-the-Charles, the village of Auburndale is located at the western end of Newton and is one of the city’s thirteen villages. Surrounding Auburndale are three other Newton villages: West Newton, Waban and Newton Lower Falls, as well as the city of Waltham and the town of Weston. The history of Auburndale dates back to the time of its first settler, William Robinson, in 1678. Over the years Auburndale has been home to notable residents such as renowned historian, author, professor and playwright Howard Zinn and the co-founder of the Voice of the Faithful and winner of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize Dr. Jim Muller.

Auburndale has a number of important landmarks, which range in subject from historical sites to local, commercial venues. The village is host to the Auburndale Historic District, which includes around 275 properties, as well as two additional National Register Districts. Some of the properties on the National Register are the Plummer Memorial Library, the Lasells Neighborhood Historic District, Whittemore’s Tavern, the Winslow-Haskell Mansion, Old Shephard Farm, and the Rufus Eastbrook House. Auburndale is also fortunate to have a variety of outdoor recreational sites such as the Norumbega Park Conservation Area, the Auburndale Cove Park and Playground, the Brunen Brook, and the Charles River. While enjoying Auburndale’s historic and natural landscape, visitors and residents may stop by local shops such as Tom’s Pizza and Sandwich Shop, Wally’s Ice Cream, and Breadsong Bakery. Additionally, the village is home to a range of religious institutions, of which includes Corpus Christi and St. Bernard’s Parish, the Episcopal Parish of the Messiah, Temple Reyim, and the United Parish of Auburndale. In terms of education, Auburndale is served by the William and Burr elementary schools and Lasell College. One can reach Auburndale by way of the MBTA train, by I-90 and I-95, and Route 128.