Trail History Timeline
The spur of the Worcester & Boston train line that connected Framingham to Milford and traversed through Holliston was built in the 1830s. By 1959, the last passenger train ran on the tracks as the car eclipsed the train as the preferred mode of transit in the U.S. Freight trains continued to run on the tracks but eventually the rail corridor lay empty.
The rail trail movement picked up momentum in the 1990s and Holliston – like other towns around the country, Holliston decided to make their abandoned rail corridor into a pedestrian/bike path for the community.
The process had many steps along the way and was made possible by funding from sources such as Town Meeting, Mass Trails, and Bond Bills.
We would like to give special thanks to the people and businesses who also contributed services/resources toward making the Holliston Rail Trail a recognized gem of the Commonwealth.
Timeline of Highlights from Holliston Rail Trail’s History
May 2022
Dedication of Veterans Memorial monument and park area near Blair Square.
February 2022
Rapid Flashing Beacons upgraded to presence detection system at all six signals.
June 2021
Landscape improvements at parking area between Church Street and Central Street donated by Ahronian Landscape Company.
October 2020
Installation of bicycle repair station on the Trail by Friends of Holliston Trails.
September 2020
Installation of three separate exercise station areas on the Trail, by Friends of Holliston Trails.
August 2020
Installation of eight interpretive exhibits on the Trail.
April 2020
Parking and signage improvements installed at Blair Square by Holliston Highway Department.
July 2018
Trail Dedication and Grand Opening Celebration for completion of the entire 6.7 miles of trail in Holliston with laser show at the 8-Arch Bridge.
June 2018
Final section of stone dust is installed in the area near the 8-Arch Bridge. Entire rail trail in Holliston is completed with an improved surface.
August 2016
Town purchases section of railbed from Church Street to Sherborn Town line.
August 2015
Town purchases section of railbed from Cross Street to Hopping Brook Road.
June 2013
Town of Holliston now owns or leases all 6.7 miles of the right of way.
October 2012
The Fredy and Regula Lienhard Foundation donates to the Town of Holliston a section of the Trail from South Street to the Milford town line.
January 2012
Town purchases sections of the railbed from CSX including Church Street to Cross Street, and Hopping Brook Road to former Fredap Parcel west of Hopping Brook Road.
July 2011
CSX Signs purchase and sales agreement.
November 2009
Town of Holliston purchases .5 mile parcel between Hopping Brook Road and South Street.
October 2007
A $10,000 grant was awarded for improvements to the rail trail from Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI).
January 2007
Governor Patrick restores cuts made by former Governor Romney, restoring $800 K for the Holliston section of the Upper Charles Trail.
October 2006
Submission by Selectmen to the Division of Conservation Services for Grant of $800,000.
August 2004
Mitt Romney, Governor of Massachusetts, signs the Transportation Bond Bill which contains an earmark of $1.25 million for the purchase of the right-of-way for the Holliston section of the trail.
June 2004
Contractors for CSXT completes removal of rails and ties in Holliston.
May 2004
State Representative Paul Loscocco presents Bond bill before the Senate for approximately $1.25 Million for the acquisition of the land of the Upper Charles Trail in Holliston.
May 2004
Town meeting authorizes Selectmen to acquire parcels of land or easements by purchase, donation, eminent domain or otherwise necessary for the Holliston Upper Charles Trail Project.
December 2003
CSXT contractor removes rails and ties from Whitney Street in Sherborn to Cross Street in Holliston, the last remaining sections of the rail in Holliston.
November 2003
Marc Connelly runs last vehicle, a track car, down the rail bed from Whitney Street in Sherborn to Washington Street. Remaining portions of the railroad right of way was filmed.
April 2003
Holliston Newcomers Club awards the Holliston Trail Committee with $4,500 to be used to finance the lease agreement with CSXT for the 4-mile section of the railbed.
July 2002
CSX Transportation provides draft lease agreement to Holliston and Sherborn for review and negotiation. Cost of the lease for the 4.17-mile section is $5,000 per year.
July 2001
CSX Transportation files with the Surface Transportation Board to abandon its rail line between Cross Street in Holliston to Whitney Street in Sherborn, a 4.17-mile section (milepost 2.60 to 6.77)
April 2001
Committee receives Greenways and Trails Demonstration grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management for $5,000.
November 2000
Town Meeting approves $20,000 for appraisal and acquisition assistance on Phase 2 portions of the trail
August 1999
Holliston Board of Selectmen votes to approve Greenman-Pedersen, Incorporated (GPI) as Designer for Holliston’s Phase 1. Contract is for $50,000 for the design of the 2-mile section of the trail.
January 1999
Holliston Board of Selectmen votes to create a committee of 7 members for the Holliston Trails Committee.
October 1998
Holliston receives approval from Massachusetts EOTC for funding of construction of Phase 1, a 2-mile section for $450,000.
August 1998
Funding for approximately $500,000 for the construction of a 2.08-mile section of the Holliston Portion is approved subject to the Town of Holliston providing approximately $50,000 matching funds.
July 1997
Conrail grants Town of Holliston a lease for use of a 2.08-mile section of its abandoned railbed for use as a trail. This section is generally from Cross Street to Hopping Brook Road (Mile Post 6.77 to 8.85)
June 1997
Metropolitan Area Planning Council issues the “Upper Charles Trail Feasibility Study”. The study finds that the Upper Charles Trail is feasible.
May 1997
Holliston Board of Selectmen issues a Resolution in Support of the Upper Charles Trail and Town will assume maintaining and policing the section within the Town’s borders.
May 1997
Holliston Town meeting votes to authorize Board of Selectmen to enter into a lease agreement with Conrail Corporation for the section from Cross Street to Hopping Brook Road and $5,000 for title research for the portion from Cross Street to the Sherborn Town line.
March 1997
Holliston Board of Selectmen send letter to Conrail Corporation requesting interest in leasing a 2-mile section of railbed (Cross Street to Hopping Brook Road).
September 1995
Holliston Board of Selectmen issues a letter to Conrail Corporation requesting abandonment of its line in the Town of Holliston.
1996
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority funds a feasibility study of the Upper Charles Trail to be performed by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
January 1995
Holliston Board of Selectmen issues a letter of support for the Upper Charles Trail.
1993
The Holliston Open Space and Recreation Plan outlines a goal to seek creation of a multi-use trail with linkage to surrounding towns using existing abandoned railway, from Cross Street to the Milford town line.
1986
The Holliston Open Space and Recreation Plan of 1986 recommends acquisition of the 21.5 Acre parcel of land from the Milford Town line to Cross Street then owned by Penn Central Railroad for a multi-use trail and to access Town-owned open space.
1970
Last freight train runs over entire branch in Holliston
1959
Last passenger train runs on tracks
1830s
Train line connecting Framingham to Milford – a spur on the Worcester & Boston line, is built.