Charlton, Massachusetts
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| Charlton, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
| Name | Charlton, Massachusetts |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Pushpin label | Charlton |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Massachusetts |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Worcester |
| Government type | Open town meeting |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | 1735 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1755 |
| Area total km2 | 112.7 |
| Area total sq mi | 43.5 |
| Area land km2 | 109.1 |
| Area land sq mi | 42.1 |
| Area water km2 | 3.6 |
| Area water sq mi | 1.4 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 13,315 |
| Population density km2 | 122.1 |
| Population density sq mi | 316.2 |
| Timezone | Eastern |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 42, 08, 08, N... |
| Elevation m | 268 |
| Elevation ft | 879 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 01507 |
| Area code | 508/774 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 25-12715 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0618350 |
| Website | www.townofcharlton.net |
Charlton, Massachusetts. Charlton is a town in Worcester County, part of the Blackstone Valley and situated within the Massachusetts Commonwealth. Initially settled as a Praying Indian village known as Chaubunagungamaug, the area was later incorporated and grew through agriculture and textile mill industries. Today, it is a residential community with access to major transportation corridors like the Massachusetts Turnpike and retains a significant amount of preserved open space.
History
The land that became Charlton was originally home to the Nipmuc people, specifically the Praying Indian village of Chaubunagungamaug established by John Eliot. It was first settled by colonists from Oxford in 1735 and was officially incorporated in 1755, named for Sir Francis Charlton. Early economic activity centered on agriculture and small-scale gristmill operations. The 19th century brought industrial growth with the establishment of several textile mills along the Quinebaug River, including those operated by the Charlton Woolen Manufacturing Company. The town was connected to broader markets by the Boston and Albany Railroad and later traversed by the Massachusetts Turnpike, influencing its development pattern.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Charlton has a total area of 43.5 square miles, of which 42.1 square miles is land and 1.4 square miles is water. The town is located in central Massachusetts and contains several bodies of water, including Buffumville Lake, Leadmine Pond, and a portion of the Quinebaug River. It borders the towns of Auburn, Oxford, Southbridge, Sturbridge, and Spencer. A significant portion of the town's geography is part of the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Buffumville Lake property and other conservation lands.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Charlton was 13,315. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller populations identifying as African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino. The median household income has historically been above the state average, with a significant proportion of the workforce employed in management, business, and sales occupations. Population growth increased notably in the late 20th century, correlating with improved highway access via the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Government and infrastructure
Charlton employs an Open town meeting form of government, led by a Board of Selectmen and a professional Town Administrator. The town provides standard municipal services, including a Police Department and a Fire Department. Key infrastructure includes the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90), which bisects the town, and state routes like Route 31 and Route 169. The town is part of the 2nd Congressional District, the Worcester and Norfolk state senate district, and the 6th Worcester state representative district.
Education
Public education for pre-K through grade 12 is managed by the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District, a partnership with the neighboring town of Dudley. Schools located in Charlton include Charlton Middle School and Shepherd Hill Regional High School. The town is also served by the Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Marlborough. There are no institutions of higher education within the town limits; residents typically access colleges such as Clark University or Worcester Polytechnic Institute in nearby Worcester.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with Charlton include John "the Old Tory" Murray, a prominent loyalist during the American Revolution; Samuel Willard, a 19th-century physician and Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth; and William T. G. Morton, a dentist who lived in town and is famously associated with the first public demonstration of surgical anesthesia using diethyl ether. More contemporary figures include professional baseball player Rich Gedman, who attended Shepherd Hill Regional High School.
Category:Towns in Worcester County, Massachusetts Category:Towns in Massachusetts Category:1755 establishments in Massachusetts