Franklin Mile Marker - 64 Miles From Boston - 1767 Milestones - Brookfield, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 13.841 W 072° 04.726
18T E 741063 N 4679521
A Franklin Milestone located on the north side of Slab City Road which is a continuation of East Main Street in Brookfield, MA
Waymark Code: WMEQQM
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 06/28/2012
Views: 5
The Boston Post Road was part of the Colonial mail route between New York City and Boston. The Upper Post Road went from New York, NY to New Haven, CT to Springfield, MA and on to Boston, MA. It was established in 1676 by order of King Charles II to facilitate communication among Colonial governors.
In 1767 under Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin, stone mileage markers were placed along the road to better determine postal rates, which were, at that time, based on distance. These stones are commonly known as Franklin milestones. Many of these stone markers still exist. The 1767 Milestones are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This 1767 Franklin milestone is located on the north side of Slab City Road in front of a low stone wall. The inscription is very clear; it reads:
64
Mile From
Boston
A sign has been erected next to the marker that reads:
BOSTON
POST ROAD
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64 Miles From Boston
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THIS ROAD IS THE FIRST MAIL ROUTE IN NORTH AMERICA
ESTABLISHED IN 1673 BY KING CHARLES II OF ENGLAND.
IN 1767, WHILE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WAS
POSTMASTER GENERAL, MILEAGE WAS MARKED OUT WITH
STONE MARKERS FROM BOSTON TO NEW YORK CITY
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BROOKFIELD HISTORICAL COMMISSION 2006