Pembroke, town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States
Pembroke is a small town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, located about 30 miles south of Boston. It covers rolling terrain with the North River, several ponds and brooks running through forested areas, crisscrossed by well-maintained roads like Route 139 that connect the center with shops, homes, and parks.
Pembroke was settled in 1650 by Robert Barker and Dolor Davis near Herring Brook, on land the Wampanoag and Massachusett peoples called Mattakeesett, meaning place of much fish. The town separated from Duxbury in 1712 and soon became known for shipbuilding on the North River, later playing a role in the American Revolution.
The name Pembroke comes from a town in Wales, reflecting the heritage of early settlers. Today the community celebrates its connection to the water through the annual Fish Fry at the herring run, keeping alive the tradition of spring fishing that has defined life here for centuries.
Pembroke is easily reached via main routes 3 and 14, which connect the town to other parts of Massachusetts. While it lacks its own train station, nearby towns offer commuter trains to Boston, and small airports in the area serve private planes.
The first sawmill in the colony was built here and operated for over 40 years, laying the foundation for the town's early prosperity. Today historic buildings like the Pembroke Friends Meetinghouse built in 1706 stand as reminders of that industrial past and the era of independence.
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