Sterling, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sterling, Massachusetts
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Sterling Town Common
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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 | 1720 | ||
| Incorporated | 1781 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Open town meeting | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 31.6 sq mi (81.8 km2) | ||
| • Land | 30.5 sq mi (79.0 km2) | ||
| • Water | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 502 ft (153 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,985 | ||
| • Density | 252.7/sq mi (97.62/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | ||
| ZIP code |
01564
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| Area code(s) | 351 / 978 | ||
| FIPS code | 25-67385 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0619490 | ||
| Website | www.sterling-ma.gov | ||
Sterling is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. In 2020, about 7,985 people lived here.
Contents
History of Sterling
Sterling was first settled by Europeans in 1720. It became an official town in 1781.
How Sterling Got Its Name
Before it became its own town, Sterling was known as "the Second Parish of Lancaster." People often called it Chocksett. This name came from the original Native American name, Woonsechocksett.
The land for Chocksett was first sold to settlers in 1713. This sale was made by Tahanto, the nephew of a great Native American chief named Sholan.
Early Settlers and Town Growth
The first European settlers arrived in Chocksett in 1720. They came from the nearby town of Lancaster. Families like Beman, Sawyer, Houghton, and Osgood were among these early settlers. You can still see these names on some of Sterling's oldest roads today.
By 1733, the people of Chocksett wanted their own town. They felt it was too far to travel to the church in Lancaster. Their request was first turned down. However, by 1780, so many people lived in Chocksett that they made up most of the voters. They voted out the old Lancaster town leaders and started holding their own town meetings in Chocksett.
This convinced the rest of Lancaster that Chocksett should become its own town. In 1781, Chocksett officially became the town of Sterling.
Naming the Town
The town was named after General William "Lord Stirling" Alexander. He was a brave general who served under Gen. George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. A painting of him hangs in the Sterling town hall. The town also honored him with a special medallion during its 200th birthday celebration in 1981.
Recently, Sterling built new buildings for its police and fire departments.
Geography of Sterling
Sterling covers about 31.7 square miles (81.8 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 30.6 square miles (79.0 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 1.1 square miles (2.8 square kilometers), is water.
Roads and Nearby Towns
Interstate 190 goes right through Sterling. Other important roads include Massachusetts Route 12, Massachusetts Route 62, Massachusetts Route 140, and Massachusetts Route 110.
Sterling shares its borders with several other towns:
- To the north: Leominster
- To the south: West Boylston
- To the west: Princeton and Holden
- To the northeast: Lancaster
- To the southeast: Clinton and Boylston
Sterling also borders the Wachusett Reservoir near Boylston.
Population of Sterling
In 2020, Sterling had 7,985 people living in 3,248 households. The town's population density was about 260.8 people per square mile. The average value of a home owned by its residents was $372,400.
Most of the people in Sterling (95.7%) were White. About 1.2% were African American, 0.2% Native American, and 0.4% Asian. About 1.9% were from two or more races. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 3.3% of the population.
About 21.7% of the people were under 18 years old. About 20.2% were 65 years or older. The population was 52.4% female.
The average income for a household in Sterling was $119,000. The average income per person was $59,851. Only about 1.8% of the population lived below the poverty line.
Conant Public Library
Sterling's public library started in 1871. The Conant Public Library building was opened in 1886. It was paid for by Edwin Conant in memory of his daughter, Elizabeth Ann Conant.
In 2002, the Conant Library building closed for renovations. During this time, the library moved to the Old Town Hall. The renovations were finished in 2004, and the library moved back to its original spot.
Education in Sterling
Sterling is part of the Wachusett Regional School District.
- Students in Kindergarten through 4th grade go to Houghton Elementary School.
- Students in 5th through 8th grade attend Chocksett Middle School.
- Most high school students from Sterling go to Wachusett Regional High School in Holden.
- Some students can also choose to attend Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg. This school teaches job skills.
Utilities and Services
Sterling provides town water to many homes. However, some homes in more rural areas use private wells. The town's water comes from six wells located on Redemption Rock Trail and Worcester Road. All public wells use a special ultraviolet light system to clean the water.
Sterling does not have town sewer services. All houses use private septic systems to manage wastewater.
The town also offers trash and recycling pickup for free. The town's recycling center closed in 2015. Residents can now use the Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center in West Boylston for recycling and larger items.
Sterling Municipal Light Department
Sterling is one of 41 communities in Massachusetts that has its own electric company. This company is called the Sterling Municipal Light Department. It is managed by three elected Commissioners. They hire a Manager to handle daily operations.
In 2016, the Light Department started building the first large-scale energy storage facility in Massachusetts. This battery system can power the emergency dispatch center and police station for up to twelve days if there is a power outage. It also helps the town save money on electricity costs. This project has received awards and has attracted visitors from all over the world. It is seen as a great example of how to build power systems that can handle disasters.
Eversource provides natural gas service in Sterling.
Fun Places to Visit in Sterling
Sterling Fair
The Sterling Fair is a popular yearly event. It usually happens in early or mid-September. It's one of the few agricultural fairs that still offers free admission.
At the fair, you can see farm animals like goats, cows, rabbits, and sheep. There are also carnival games and rides. People can enter their own exhibits and artwork. You can visit a petting zoo, watch contests, and see oxen pulls. The Sterling Chocksett Club hosts a pancake breakfast. There's also live music, food, and fireworks!
Outdoor Activities
- Sterling is close to Wachusett Mountain, which has a state forest and a ski area.
- It's also near Leominster State Forest.
- Sholan Park on Lake Waushacum has a beach for swimming and a dock. You can also find grills for cookouts, a sand volleyball court, and a boat ramp there.
Davis Farmland and Mega Maze
- Davis Farmland is a seasonal petting zoo for children.
- Davis Mega Maze is New England's only world-class adventure cornfield maze.
Famous People from Sterling
- Fred Borchelt (born 1954): An American Olympic athlete and physicist.
- Ebenezer Butterick (1826–1903): He invented tissue paper dress patterns, which changed how people sewed at home. The town's municipal building is in the old Butterick School, named after his daughter.
- Edwin Conant: A businessman, attorney, and generous giver to the community.
- Charles Herbert Colvin: An aeronautical engineer.
- Jay Cutler: A bodybuilder who won the Mr. Olympia title four times.
- Meghan Kilcoyne: A member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 12th Worcester district. She grew up in Sterling.
- Prentiss Mellen: A United States senator from 1818 to 1820.
- William Francis Nichols: The Arizona Territorial Secretary.
- Le Gage Pratt: A U.S. Representative from New Jersey.
- Arthur Prentice Rugg: The Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court; he was born in Sterling.
- Mary Sawyer Tyler: She is believed to be the real-life "Mary" from the famous poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Images for kids
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Blood Family Homestead (1859) in Sterling, by Mary Blood Mellen (1817–1882)
See also
In Spanish: Sterling (Massachusetts) para niños
