Wellesley, the Boston suburb known to many because of its noteworthy college of the same name, developed from a hamlet into an independent community that celebrates both its past and its future. From 1778, when the townspeople of West Needham petitioned for a separate meetinghouse, to the arrival of the Boston and Worcester Railroad in 1834 and the successful secession from Needham on April 6, 1881, the people of Wellesley have taken an active role in their town's religious, social, economic, and educational development. From the mid-19th century forward, Wellesley has continued to progress, becoming a town devoted to quality education, public service, and aesthetic beauty. This photographic history chronicles Wellesley's development since the 19th century, highlighting the people, schools, clubs, and businesses that have made Wellesley the prosperous suburb it is today.