to
Update
is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, approximately 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Boston and 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Providence, Rhode Island. The population was 16,246 at the 2000 census. The town is best known as the site of Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots of the National Football League and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. "Foxborough" is the official spelling of the town name, although the alternative spelling "Foxboro" is also frequently used.
For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Foxborough, please see the article Foxborough (CDP), Massachusetts.
Settled in 1704 and incorporated in 1778, Foxborough was named for Charles James Fox, Whig Member of the British Parliament, who was a staunch supporter of the Colonies in the years leading up to the American Revolution.
Foxborough was once home to the world's largest straw hat factory. Founded by local businessman E.P. Carpenter, the Union Straw Works building burned to the ground in the early 20th century. It was then replaced with a postal building.
Foxborough was composed of small neighborhood communities until the early 1900s. These included Foxvale/Paineburgh, which remained semi-independent until the mid-twentieth century; Quaker Hill in South Foxborough; and Lakeview/Donkeyville in West Foxborough.
Foxborough is home to Gillete Stadium, home of the 3 time Super Bowl Champions, the New England Patriots. At first, it was just a stadium with parking. Bob Kraft, the Patriots owner, then bought out the surrounding area to make his own shopping plaza named Patriot Place. This plaza consists of stores such as The Christmas Tree Shoppe, Circuit City, and Bass Pro Shop. Patriots Place also has restaurants like The CBS Scene, Five Guys, Olive Garden, and Red Robin.