Boxborough, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boxborough, Massachusetts
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Boxborough Town Hall
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Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Middlesex | |
| Settled | 1680 | |
| Incorporated | February 25, 1783 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 10.4 sq mi (27.0 km2) | |
| • Land | 10.4 sq mi (26.8 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.1 km2) | |
| Elevation | 335 ft (102 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,506 | |
| • Density | 529.4/sq mi (203.9/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP Code |
01719
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| Area code(s) | 351/978 | |
| FIPS code | 25-07350 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618218 | |
Boxborough is a small town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. In 2020, about 5,500 people lived there. You might sometimes see its name shortened to "Boxboro" on signs.
Contents
Exploring Boxborough's Location
Boxborough covers about 10.4 square miles (27 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The town is surrounded by other towns. To the north is Littleton, to the east is Acton, to the south is Stow, and to the west is Harvard. Before Boxborough became its own town in 1783, its land was part of Stow, Harvard, and Littleton.
Who Lives in Boxborough?
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 395 | — |
| 1860 | 403 | +2.0% |
| 1870 | 338 | −16.1% |
| 1880 | 319 | −5.6% |
| 1890 | 325 | +1.9% |
| 1900 | 316 | −2.8% |
| 1910 | 317 | +0.3% |
| 1920 | 298 | −6.0% |
| 1930 | 312 | +4.7% |
| 1940 | 376 | +20.5% |
| 1950 | 439 | +16.8% |
| 1960 | 744 | +69.5% |
| 1970 | 1,451 | +95.0% |
| 1980 | 3,126 | +115.4% |
| 1990 | 3,343 | +6.9% |
| 2000 | 4,868 | +45.6% |
| 2010 | 4,996 | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 5,506 | +10.2% |
| 2022* | 5,412 | −1.7% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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In 2000, there were 4,868 people living in Boxborough. Most people were White (about 88.8%), with a smaller number of Asian (8.5%) and other racial backgrounds. About 1.1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (42.8%) had children under 18 living with them. Most families were married couples. The average household had about 2.6 people.
The town's population included many young people, with 30.5% under 18 years old. The average age in Boxborough was 37 years.
Learning in Boxborough: Schools and Education
Boxborough is part of the Acton Boxborough Regional School District (ABRSD) along with the nearby town of Acton. This means students from both towns share schools.
- Elementary School: Students in kindergarten through 6th grade go to Blanchard Memorial School.
- Middle School: For 7th and 8th grade, students attend R.J. Grey Junior High School.
- High School: From 9th to 12th grade, students go to Acton-Boxborough Regional High School.
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (ABRHS) is known for being one of the best high schools in Massachusetts and even across the country. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Education recognized it as a "Blue Ribbon School." Newsweek magazine also listed it among the best high schools in the nation in 2008.
Boxborough's Past: A Look at History
Early Days in Boxborough
The land that is now Boxborough was first home to Native American tribes like the Nipmuc and Pennacook. European settlers likely visited the area in the mid-1600s. However, people didn't start living there permanently until the early 1700s. Farmers came looking for good land to grow crops. Over time, this area became a very productive farming region. Some men from the area also fought in the Seven Years' War.
Boxborough and the Revolutionary War
On April 19, 1775, a very important day in American history, 21 men from Boxborough gathered at the Boaz Brown house. They then marched with soldiers from Littleton and Acton to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Many of these farmers became soldiers and served in the colonial army throughout the war.
Two important figures from Boxborough during the Revolution were Calvin and Luther Blanchard. They were descendants of some of the first settlers. Luther Blanchard was a fifer (someone who plays a fife, a type of flute) with Captain Isaac Davis's company from Acton. He marched to the Battle of Concord.
At the North Bridge, American minute-men fought with British troops in a battle often called the "shot heard round the world." The British were forced to retreat. Some historians believe Luther Blanchard was the first person wounded in this fight. He was shot in the chest. Luther passed away three days later from his injuries and is buried in Littleton. A picture of Luther Blanchard is even on the official Boxborough town seal. Calvin Blanchard survived the war and became involved in Boxborough's early government. The Blanchard Memorial School is named after this family.
How Boxborough Became a Town
People in this area wanted their own church closer to home. At that time, attending church was very important, and traveling far was difficult. Many who had fought in the Revolutionary War also wanted more independence for their community.
Boxborough was formed from parts of the towns of Harvard, Littleton, and Stow. On January 31, 1775, the people decided to buy the Harvard Old meeting-house to use as their town hall and church.
The people of Boxborough tried three times to become an independent district before they were finally accepted in 1782. The town was officially created on February 25, 1783.
Many early settlers helped make Boxborough an independent town. John Wetherbee and his family built houses there as early as 1717. Silas Wetherbee, who fought in the Revolution, gave the land for the new meeting-house and church. He was also one of the first elected leaders of the town. The Wetherbee family continued to be important in Boxborough for many years.
The Taylor brothers were also early settlers. Silas Taylor was a captain in the Revolutionary War. He later became the first clerk of Boxborough and an original town leader. Phinehas Taylor Jr. was also a captain in the war and became the town's first treasurer.
Other important early families included the Hagers, Woods, and Stones. Many of these influential people are buried in the Old North Cemetery, which has graves from the 1700s.
Things to See and Do in Boxborough
On October 16, 2005, the Boxborough Historical Society opened the Boxborough Museum. It is located at 575 Middle Road and is open on certain Sundays throughout the year.
Boxborough is also known for Steele Farm. It's a great place for sledding in winter and hiking on its trails. Dogs are welcome on the conservation trails.
You can find a good example of a glacial esker (a long, winding ridge of sand and gravel left by a glacier) in the Beaver Valley Preserve. It's over a mile long!
Every September, Boxborough holds an annual Harvest Fair. This event celebrates the town's long history of farming.
Boxborough has several historical landmarks. The Silas Taylor Farm is on Flagg Hill. The Silas Wetherbee House, built around 1770 and also known as Walnut Farm, can be seen on Hill Road. It's part of the "Path of the Patriots."
Nature and Sports Areas
Boxborough has many natural areas with trails. These are great for walking, hiking, and other activities. Volunteers and town employees help keep these trails in good condition.
- Flerra Meadows: This area has soccer fields, a small playground, and a pond.
- Liberty Fields: Here you'll find a baseball field, several soccer fields, and a conservation trail through the woods.
A cycling group called the Boxborough Mamil (Middle-Aged Men In Lycra) meets regularly at Flerra Meadows for bike rides around Boxborough and nearby towns.
Celebrating History and Community
Boxborough Minutemen Company
The Boxborough Minutemen Company is a historical society started in 1967. Their main goal is to remember Boxborough's part in the American Revolution. They also help the community by sponsoring local events, giving scholarships, and taking part in historical reenactments.
Groups like the Minutemen Company have existed in Boxborough since the late 1700s. They used to meet for military training through the 1800s.
Fifer's Day Celebration
Boxborough is famous for its yearly Fifer's Day celebration. The Minutemen organize this event to honor Luther Blanchard, the fifer who fought in the Revolutionary War.
Fifer's Day happens every June at Flerra Meadows. It starts with a 4-mile (6.4 km) road race. After the race, there's a parade and many fun activities. You can find booths selling hamburgers, hot dogs, and snow cones. There are also games, live music, and volleyball tournaments. Other activities often include pony rides, hot air balloon rides, and fire engine demonstrations.
Famous People from Boxborough
- Allen Bourbeau: Played ice hockey for Team USA in the 1988 Winter Olympics.
- Callahan Burke: A professional ice hockey player for the Colorado Avalanche.
- Ted Crowley: An NHL professional hockey player who grew up in Boxborough.
- Lucie Caroline Hager (1853–1903): A well-known author.
- Adil Najam: A member of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
- Bill Rodgers: A famous runner who won the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon.
- Isadore Singer: A mathematician who received the Abel Prize.
- Bob Sweeney: An NHL professional hockey player.
- Fred Wesley Wentworth (1864–1943): An architect known for his buildings in Paterson, New Jersey.
- Jessamyn West: A librarian who grew up in Boxborough.
See also
In Spanish: Boxborough (Massachusetts) para niños
