Auburn, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Auburn, Massachusetts
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Auburn Town Offices and Merriam Library
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Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Massachusetts | ||
| County | Worcester | ||
| Settled | 1714 | ||
| Incorporated | April 10, 1778 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Representative town meeting | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 16.4 sq mi (42.5 km2) | ||
| • Land | 15.4 sq mi (39.8 km2) | ||
| • Water | 1.0 sq mi (2.7 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 603 ft (184 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 16,889 | ||
| • Density | 1,030/sq mi (397.4/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | ||
| ZIP code |
01501
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| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 | ||
| FIPS code | 25-02760 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0619474 | ||
Auburn is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. In 2020, about 16,889 people lived here.
Contents
History of Auburn
Auburn was first settled in 1714. It was made an official town on April 10, 1778. At first, it was called Ward. This name honored General Artemas Ward from the American Revolution. He was second in command to George Washington.
In 1837, the town changed its name to Auburn. The Post Office asked for this change. They said the name Ward was too much like the nearby town of Ware. Before it became a town, parts of Auburn belonged to other towns. These included Worcester, Leicester, and Millbury.
Today, Auburn is surrounded by other towns. Worcester is to the north. Leicester is to the west. Millbury is to the east. Oxford is to the south.
Rocket Launch History
A famous scientist named Robert H. Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn. This happened on March 16, 1926. The launch site was on Pakachoag Hill. It was on his aunt Effe Ward's farm.
You can visit Goddard Memorial Park downtown. It is next to the Auburn Fire Department. The park has a model of Goddard's rocket. It also has a Polaris missile. Another rocket model is at Auburn High School. There is also a small monument at the Goddard Rocket Launching Site. It is located on the Pakachoag Golf Course.
Geography of Auburn
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Leicester | Worcester | |
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Millbury | |||
 Auburn  |
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| Oxford |
People of Auburn (Demographics)
In 2010, Auburn had 16,188 people. There were about 1,053 people per square mile. The average age in Auburn is 40.8 years old. The average age in the U.S. is 37.6.
Many people in Auburn are married (61.86%). About 8.00% are divorced. The average home has 2.41 people. About 22.71% of people are married with children. 5.08% have children but are single.
In 2000, most people (97.21%) were white. About 0.81% were black or African American. 1.19% were Asian. 0.10% were Native American. About 1.00% were from other backgrounds. Also, 1.24% of people in Auburn were of Hispanic background.
Major Highways
Auburn has several important highways. These roads help people travel through and around the town.
Interstate 90 (I-90)
I-90 is also called the Massachusetts Turnpike. It is 138 miles long in Massachusetts. I-90 is part of the longest Interstate in the U.S., which is 3,099 miles long. Nearly 5 miles of I-90 pass through Auburn. It has six lanes, three in each direction. Auburn also has Exit 90 for this highway.
Interstate 290 (I-290)
The first three miles of I-290 are in Auburn. This highway is 20 miles long. In Auburn, it heads north. It has exits 7 (for I-90), 8 (for Route 12), and 9 (for Swanson Road and Auburn Street).
Interstate 395 (I-395)
Two miles of I-395 are in Auburn. After Exit 6 (for US 20), I-395 becomes I-290.
Massachusetts Route 12 (Route 12)
Route 12 is also known as Southbridge Street. About five miles of Route 12 go through Auburn. It runs generally north and south. Its intersection with Auburn Street is called Drury Square.
US Route 20 (US 20)
US 20 is the longest road in the United States, at 3,365 miles. Five miles of US 20 run through Auburn. In town, it is also known as Southbridge Street (where it joins Route 12), Washington Street, and the SW Cutoff.
Education in Auburn
Auburn has a good school system for its students.
Elementary Schools
Auburn has two elementary schools for younger students.
- Bryn Mawr School (for grades K–2)
- Pakachoag School (for grades K–2)
Middle and Intermediate Schools
After elementary school, all Auburn public school students go to:
- Swanson Road Intermediate School (for grades 3–5)
- Auburn Middle School (for grades 6–8)
High Schools
Most students attend Auburn High School (for grades 9–12). Some students can choose to go to Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School. This school is in nearby Charlton. It teaches job skills.
A new Auburn High School opened in 2006. It is located in Drury Square. It has modern sports fields. These include a field for soccer, football, track, and lacrosse. There is also a turf baseball field and a grass softball field. The school also has tennis courts and a basketball court.
The oldest part of the old high school was built in 1935. It was later taken down. However, the dome from the old high school was saved. It is now a monument near the baseball field. Some bricks from the old building are at the Auburn Historical Museum.
Points of Interest
- Auburn Mall
- Goddard Rocket Launching Site
- Worcester Flood Diversion Channel
Notable People
Auburn has been home to several well-known people:
- Paul Allaire (1938–2019), former CEO of Xerox Corp.
- Jacob Whitman Bailey (1811–1857), a biologist and educator.
- Tyler Beede (born 1993), a baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
- John Curdo (1931–2022), a chess master who won many titles.
- Patrick Allen Joslyn (born 1986), a drag performer known as Joslyn Fox.
- Robert Goddard (1881–1945), a famous rocket scientist.
- Jeffrey Lynn (1909–1995), a stage and film actor and producer.
See also
In Spanish: Auburn (Massachusetts) para niños
