HUDSON – In the early days, much of what we call Hudson was Nipmuck Indian territory, and was known as the Indian Plantation. This was the land from about Tower Street, east to the town line. On Pope’s Hill, Belleview Street, there was an Indian burial ground containing about 60 graves.
The name Back Bay is still familiar to many. It’s Apsley Street, from Lincoln to Central and over to Packard Street. The Back Bay was like a little village, with a bakery, barbershop, grocery stores, laundromat, restaurants and bars. Many still remember the Lisbon Club, Sloppy Joe’s bar on Howe Street, and the N&M Market and Hackey’s Variety. Paul and Jerry’s remains today.
Follow Central Street to where it curves toward Berlin and you’re at Brown’s Corner. Both the railroad and the streetcar lines had stations there.
Stand on Loring Court and you’re in Cat Alley. Old timers have fond memories of their friendly neighbors and how everyone helped each other out. Steps away was Henry Valcour’s store, and the Rimkus Market. Speaking of cats, Cat Rock is the area behind the Rod and Gun Club.
Coolidgeville is a section of Central Street near Laurel Drive. Many members of the Coolidge family were respected citizens of Hudson, and they lived there.
Gospel Hill got its name because one of the town’s earliest churches was on the top of the hill.
Far up Manning Street is Indian Hill. Many arrowheads have been found there.
Many years ago, Deacon Peters lived where the Apsley mansion stands today. Across Lake Street along the water was a wooded picnic area known as Peters Grove.
Washington Street is Nobility Hill. A wide variety of fine old homes are there, many built by early Hudson businessmen.
O’Neil’s Crossing is where Whispering Pines is today. Here, where the railroad crossed Main Street, stood an old white house owned by Mr. O’Neil.
Potash Hill is off the south side of Coolidge Street. It’s the second highest point in town. Soap was made here using potash found in the area. Potash Brook runs under Main Street in the center of town. It connects Bruce’s Pond to the Assabet River.
Skeeterville is an area of Wilkins Street before the Rod and Gun Club. A large railroad trestle known as the Skeeterville Bridge was there.
Squirrel Hollow is the section of Manning Street beyond Cox Street.
Tin Can Alley is a very old name. It refers to a path near Wood Square where early residents would dump their trash and cans.
Triangle Cove is where Brook Street joins lower Main Street. In the 1940s there was an open-air canopy where dances took place. A popular band was Cellucci’s Orchestra. Italians came all the way from the North End in Boston to enjoy these dances.
Town Farm Crossing is where the railroad crossed Main Street in front of the Poor Farm.
And finally, Wood Square, or simply “The Square,” one of Hudson’s best-known landmarks, got its name from Solon Wood’s store, which was located there.
