"Speeding Through Medfield Traffic" Snippet of Medfield History

Medfield MA

22 August, 2021

9:56 AM

Description

A Snippet of Medfield History... "Speeding Through Medfield Traffic?" By David Temple "In 1903, Dr. Arthur Mitchell* of 505 Main Street became the first Medfield resident to own an automobile. In 1908 Henry Ford introduced the assembly-line-produced Model T, of which 15 million were produced during its 20-year run. By 1914, traffic on Route 109 in Medfield was seen as a serious problem. The Automobile Owners of Medfield, Mass. printed and distributed these cards throughout the town: TO AUTOMOBILE OWNERS AND DRIVERS The Automobile owners of Medfield are going to STOP FAST DRIVING through this town. Before resorting to several permanent traps we take this method to regulate the Automobile traffic. Won't you personally help us when going through by not running faster than 12 MILES per hour? You can go through the town at 12 miles an hour in 5 minutes. If you go fast you cannot go in less than 2-1/2 minutes. Will you not do your part in helping us to make traps unnecessary in Medfield? SHOW THIS CARD TO YOUR FRIENDS Source: Richard P. DeSorgher's History of the Town of Medfield Massachusetts, 1887-1925. Available for purchase at the Medfield Historical Society. *Dr. Arthur Mitchell is largely forgotten today, but his dog Jack is Medfield's most famous canine, thanks to the portrait that graces the traffic control box at Main and North Streets. Check out this link: HERE!