Straddling Spot Pond Brook, the village was the site of early industrial development which later blossomed into larger factories.
It is here[3] where Hayward and Charles Goodyear invented slickers (canvas and rubber coats) and the process of vulcanization.
There were numerous large factory buildings here during this period, a community of living quarters, some shops - or at least places to barter for goods.
By this time, the mostly deserted Haywardville was bought by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1894 as part of the effort to create a park system around Boston.
The remaining lands were restored by Charles Eliot, noted protege of Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., prominent urban landscaper.