The Tab had a great story about a Newton guy who built a scale model of the U.S.S. Constitution. I was nearly to the end of the article before learning that Waban has gotten it’s independence.
“After living most of his life in Newton, Robinson later moved to Waban”
Once heard a story about a woman calling the Newton Police some years ago asking for the number of the Waban police department. According to the story, she refused to believe that Waban was part of Newton. May be time for a public education campaign… 🙂
That line should have read: “After living most of his life in West Newton, Robinson later moved to Waban.”
It’s nice to know you’re reading the TAB so careful, Jerry. I like that T-shirt graphic, too.
Whew! Thanks for the reassuring clarification.
As a resident of neighboring Upper Falls I was a little disturbed at the implications of a newly independent Republic of Waban – border policy, trade policy, military policy, etc.
>>> I like that T-shirt graphic, too.
Me, too but I can’t claim credit for it. One of the other Village 14’ers must have added that. I want one though.
Heard a story that some years ago, a woman called Newton Police looking for the number to call the Waban Police Dept. She refused to believe that Waban was a part of Newton. True story, as far as I know. Laughed when I heard that.
Perhaps not well known is that in the early 19th Century, West Newton threatened to secede from the rest of Newton (start reading at page 483). Eventually, the town hall was located in West Newton (where Capt. John Ryan Park is now located), until the 1930s, when City Hall was built in its current location near the center of the city.
Great link Ted – thanks
@Jerry. Waban fears the combined strength of the Highlands and Upper Falls.
Sometime in the late 40’s Waban grabbed three whole blocks from Newton Highlands, at least according to the changing road markers that marked the border between the two villages. The old one had the border at Allen Avenue while the replacement put the divide at Hinkley Road. Now, some thought this resulted from pressure from residents who wanted a more prestigious Waban address, but I’ve always thought it was more nefarious.
We in the Highlands want the pre 48 borders restored.
Keep busting our balls about parking meters and we’ll do it! I’m working on our new flag as we speak!
Well… we do have the WAB stickers that almost make cars look like they’ve been through border control.
I’m with you Kim, if Danberg puts another gun to my head and says the people of Waban got to “buck up” and get meters, I’m for busting loose! LOL
Chris, Chris and Kim: Please let us know what you decide BEFORE we help you guys pay for a new Angier School.
If Waban declares independence, Upper Falls is going for a quick grab of the disputed Quinnobequin riverfront before the new maps can be drawn.
I was under the impression that the announcement of Waban’s secession would coincide with the official approval of a casino at the old Angier school. With the gambling profits Waban children will all be home tutored and we won’t need cars; we’ll hire Newton Highlanders to carry us wherever we go.
Bob Burke,
We’ll give you back the Allen ave to Hinckley territory if you’ll give us O’Hara’s.
@Waban: You realize you don’t get to keep John Rice, right?
@Terry. No deal, but we’ll consider giving you one of our nail salons.
@Terry. No deal, but we’ll consider giving you one of our nail salons even 2 of them if we get a 20 percent kickback from the casino.
@Greg. John Rice’s house will be back in the Highlands once the 48 borders are restored.
@Bob: Even if the boundaries didn’t change, I’m sure you’re familiar with the old expression: You can take John Rice out of the Highlands but you can’t take the Highlands out of John Rice.
I was a Newton Firefighter for thirty-two years and Waban was always part of my first alarm district. Once while doing a home inspection in Waban the home owner became visibly upset and indignant because I wrote Newton on the inspection report. She insisted that she lived in Waban not Newton. I pointed out that the fire truck parked in front of her house had Newton stenciled on the doors and I asked her where she sent the check for her property tax payments and who the check was made out to but she was having none of it. The unfortunate thing is that this was not an isolated incident. Similar incidents occurred more than once during my years of service both in Waban and in Chestnut Hill, also part of my first alarm district.
@Greg. I say amen to that. I’m grateful that John’s “heart remains in the Highlands.” BTW. “My Heart’s n the Highlands” is one of the best loved longs of a Scottish band from Cape Breton called “The Barra MacNeils.” I never thought it would apply to our Highlands when I first heard it 25 years ago because there’s something in the song about the joy of “chasing the deer.” Not so far fetched now if you also include fox, possum, fishers etc.
@John Collela. Most folks I know in the Highlands aren’t snobbish about it despite the uptick in activity here over the past several years. I’d put it more that we are grateful to have found it, or in my case to have been born here.
Here’s the Barra MacBeils…
Better yet, here it is as recited by Prince Charles. (I can’t recall Prince Charles ever doing any Waban poetry).
>>> I can’t recall Prince Charles ever doing any Waban poetry
Yes, you’re right. Its Prince Williams who recites the Waban poetry. I can hear him now:
“Farewell to Waban, to Starbucks and the T
“The Highlands is nice, but not enough for me.
Its amazing what one one misplaced word in the Tab can lead to.
That’s what happens when the news for Newton is written by people sitting at terminals somewhere far off, south of the border, where bears roam freely and BBQ is consumed by locals and tourists at roadside stands. Doesn’t Coca Cola come from there? It must be near Atlanta.
As a new generation Wabanite (2000), I’ve met people like firefighter John has described. I just don’t get those people. I hope and think that the newer residents of Waban don’t think like that. It’s so ridiculous.
I still don’t get the whole Chestnut Hill thing at all. Need to google before I judge those snobby pricks.