Braintree, Massachusetts

The Town of Braintree, named for a town in England, was incorporated in 1640. The original parcel of land included what are now Randolph, Holbrook, and Quincy, as well as parts of Milton, MA. In 2008, Braintree adopted a municipal charter, with a mayor-council form of government replacing the representative town meeting format.  Though now technically a city under Massachusetts law, Braintree retains the designation "Town" in its official name. Part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area, Braintree has a population of approximately 34,000 and is connected to nearby Boston by public bus and rail lines, and several major highways.

Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams were born in Braintree, in a section of town which is now part of Quincy, Massachusetts.  Braintree was also the hometown of statesman John Hancock and General Sylvanus Thayer, known the "Father of West Point" for his contributions as Superintendant of the military academy. For the most part, Braintree was a rural, residential community.  Business establishments of the 19th century included the Hunt Fan Factory, and the Braintree Lyceum.  Lyceums, at one time a common feature of Massachusetts towns, provided for a wide range of cultural and community activities under one roof. Braintree's Lyceum housed meeting halls for lectures and prayer services, a general store, a shoemaker, barbershop and lending library.  Other 19th-century businesses included a lumber mill, a grist mill, several post office and general stores, and an ice cream parlor.  Thomas Watson, co-inventor of the telephone, also established the Fore River Engine Company in East Braintree, initially to build marine engines.  Navy shipbuilding contracts allowed Watson to expand the business into nearby Quincy, necessitating railroad and bridge construction to connect the two yards.  Watson was also instrumental in founding the Braintree Electric Light Department, one of the earliest publicly-owned generating plants in the state, and made substantial contributions to local schools, including the Jonas Perkins School. In the 20th century, Braintree was home to the Slater-Morrill Shoe Company, the site of the infamous Sacco-Vanzetti murders in 1920. Though still largely residential, Braintree today includes several high-tech companies, and the South Shore Plaza, one of the region’s largest enclosed shopping malls. Braintree's proximity to Boston has also made it attractive to office and industrial parks.

Construction and shipbuilding activities such as those carried out in Braintree have the potential for asbestos exposure. Workers in Braintree who believe they have been exposed to asbestos-containing products may be at risk to develop asbestos lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases.

Jobsites in Braintree where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in Braintree, MA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Braintree, MA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Braintree, MA. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.

Mesothelioma Doctors Near Braintree, MA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors who are located within a 100 mile radius of Braintree, MA. Please click on a doctor link to obtain more information about his/her background, areas of expertise, professional affiliations and office locations.