Hubbardston, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Hubbardston is a town in Worcester County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the town population was 4,382.
until it was incorporated as a separate town in 1767. It was named for Thomas Hubbard, a prominent Boston
ian who served several years as the Massachusetts Speaker of the House of Representatives
and was the treasurer of Harvard College
for 17 years. Hubbard was an extensive landowner in several central Massachusetts
towns. Tradition says that in view of the honor of giving his name to the town, he promised to provide the glass for the windows of the first meeting house built in town. To make his liberality more conspicuous, the people planned for extra windows. Hubbard died in 1773, and his estate was so complicated that the town of Hubbardston received nothing and was obliged to glaze the windows at its own expense.
The first settler was Eleazer Brown, who came from Rutland in 1737. Mr. Brown was provided 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) by the proprietors and operated a hotel used by surveyors and trappers passing through this wilderness. Until 1746, Mr. Brown and his wife were the only inhabitants of Hubbardston. After Eleazer's death (it is said that he was killed by a deer), Mrs. Brown was the only occupant of town for several years and kept a public house for prominent travelers. In 1749 Israel Green moved into Hubbardston. His daughter, Molly Green, is reported to be the first child born in Hubbardston. Mr. Green was the first chairman of the board of selectmen.
By the 19th century, dairy and berry farming and market gardening were major enterprises. Immigrants from Ireland, French Canada, England, Sweden and Finland moved to town to work on local farms.
The town's early economy was based on agriculture and small-scale chair, boot and shoe manufacturing. It is described by historians as a poor town, sparsely settled and almost wholly agricultural, but having sawmills, potash
works and cottage industries such as the making of palm leaf hats. Dairy and berry farming and market gardening were major pursuits in the town.
Hubbardston was represented by 65 men during the Revolutionary War
.
Hubbardston was sympathetic to Shays' Rebellion
, an armed uprising in central and western Massachusetts
. One of the leaders of the rebellion, Captain Adam Wheeler, was from Hubbardston. In 1786, eighty men from the town marched to Worcester
under Wheeler's command and, joining hundreds of other farmers, took control of the courthouse to protest the widespread foreclosures and seizures of property by creditors that occurred during the cash-poor 18th century.
Hubbardston furnished 164 men during the Civil War
. 44 were killed or died of illness.
On June 22, 1981, a confirmed F3 tornado touched down in Hubbardston northwest of the town center, causing significant damage to property along a swath stretching from the southwest across Williamsville Road to the northeast side of Gardner Road (Route 68
). No deaths were reported. Many homes along the path of the tornado were severely damaged, and two homes on the Williamsville Road were completely destroyed.
, the town has a total area of 42 square miles (108.8 km²), of which 41 square miles (106.2 km²) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), or 2.19%, is water. Hubbardston is bounded on the northwest by Phillipston
and Templeton
, on the northeast by Gardner
and Westminster
, on the southeast by Princeton
and Rutland
, and on the southwest by Barre
.
of 2000, there were 3,909 people, 1,308 households, and 1,071 families residing in the town. The population density
was 95.3 people per square mile (36.8/km²). There were 1,360 housing units at an average density of 33.1 per square mile (12.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.39% White, 0.15% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.28% from other races
, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.
There were 1,308 households out of which 43.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.2% were married couples
living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.1% were non-families. 13.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $61,462, and the median income for a family was $66,058. Males had a median income of $48,730 versus $33,654 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $23,072. About 2.1% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those 65 and older.
Worcester County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the town population was 4,382.
History
Originally called the "Northeast Quarter", Hubbardston was part of RutlandRutland, Massachusetts
Rutland is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,973 at the 2010 census. Worcester County's only buffalo herd is located in Rutland, at Alta Vista Farm...
until it was incorporated as a separate town in 1767. It was named for Thomas Hubbard, a prominent Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
ian who served several years as the Massachusetts Speaker of the House of Representatives
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
and was the treasurer of Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
for 17 years. Hubbard was an extensive landowner in several central Massachusetts
Central Massachusetts
Central Massachusetts is the geographically central region of Massachusetts. Though definitions vary, most include all of Worcester County and the northwest corner of Middlesex County. Worcester, the largest city in the area and the seat of Worcester County, is often considered the cultural capital...
towns. Tradition says that in view of the honor of giving his name to the town, he promised to provide the glass for the windows of the first meeting house built in town. To make his liberality more conspicuous, the people planned for extra windows. Hubbard died in 1773, and his estate was so complicated that the town of Hubbardston received nothing and was obliged to glaze the windows at its own expense.
The first settler was Eleazer Brown, who came from Rutland in 1737. Mr. Brown was provided 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) by the proprietors and operated a hotel used by surveyors and trappers passing through this wilderness. Until 1746, Mr. Brown and his wife were the only inhabitants of Hubbardston. After Eleazer's death (it is said that he was killed by a deer), Mrs. Brown was the only occupant of town for several years and kept a public house for prominent travelers. In 1749 Israel Green moved into Hubbardston. His daughter, Molly Green, is reported to be the first child born in Hubbardston. Mr. Green was the first chairman of the board of selectmen.
By the 19th century, dairy and berry farming and market gardening were major enterprises. Immigrants from Ireland, French Canada, England, Sweden and Finland moved to town to work on local farms.
The town's early economy was based on agriculture and small-scale chair, boot and shoe manufacturing. It is described by historians as a poor town, sparsely settled and almost wholly agricultural, but having sawmills, potash
Potash
Potash is the common name for various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form. In some rare cases, potash can be formed with traces of organic materials such as plant remains, and this was the major historical source for it before the industrial era...
works and cottage industries such as the making of palm leaf hats. Dairy and berry farming and market gardening were major pursuits in the town.
Hubbardston was represented by 65 men during the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
Hubbardston was sympathetic to Shays' Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in central and western Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787. The rebellion is named after Daniel Shays, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War....
, an armed uprising in central and western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts is a loosely defined geographical region of the U.S. state of Massachusetts which contains the Berkshires, the Pioneer Valley, and some or all of the Swift River Valley. The region is always considered to include Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, and the...
. One of the leaders of the rebellion, Captain Adam Wheeler, was from Hubbardston. In 1786, eighty men from the town marched to Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
under Wheeler's command and, joining hundreds of other farmers, took control of the courthouse to protest the widespread foreclosures and seizures of property by creditors that occurred during the cash-poor 18th century.
Hubbardston furnished 164 men during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. 44 were killed or died of illness.
On June 22, 1981, a confirmed F3 tornado touched down in Hubbardston northwest of the town center, causing significant damage to property along a swath stretching from the southwest across Williamsville Road to the northeast side of Gardner Road (Route 68
Massachusetts Route 68
-Route description:Route 68 begins in the Jefferson section of the town of Holden, at Route 122A. It heads northward into Rutland, passing through the northeastern part of the town, passing the northern end of Route 56...
). No deaths were reported. Many homes along the path of the tornado were severely damaged, and two homes on the Williamsville Road were completely destroyed.
Town statistics
- Population (2010) - 4,382
- Registered voters - 2,754
- School enrollment
- Center School - 474
- Quabbin Regional Middle / High School - 1,366
- Tax rate - $9.43
- Operating budget - $6,398,646
- Form of government
- Open town meeting
- 3 Selectboard members
- Area - 41.03 square miles (106.3 km²)
- Roads - 88 miles (141.6 km)
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 42 square miles (108.8 km²), of which 41 square miles (106.2 km²) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), or 2.19%, is water. Hubbardston is bounded on the northwest by Phillipston
Phillipston, Massachusetts
Phillipston is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,682 at the 2010 census.- History :Phillipston was first settled in 1751, and incorporated as the town of Gerry in 1786...
and Templeton
Templeton, Massachusetts
Templeton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,013 at the 2010 census. The town comprises four main villages: Templeton Center, East Templeton, Baldwinville, and Otter River...
, on the northeast by Gardner
Gardner, Massachusetts
Gardner, Massachusetts is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,228 as of the 2010 census. Gardner is home to Dunn State Park, Gardner Heritage State Park, Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mount Wachusett Community College.-History:Named in honor of...
and Westminster
Westminster, Massachusetts
Westminster is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 7,277.- History :Westminster was first settled in 1737, and was officially incorporated in 1759....
, on the southeast by Princeton
Princeton, Massachusetts
Princeton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States.It is bordered on the east by Sterling and Leominster, on the north by Westminster, on the northwest by Hubbardston, on the southwest by Rutland, and on the southeast by Holden....
and Rutland
Rutland, Massachusetts
Rutland is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,973 at the 2010 census. Worcester County's only buffalo herd is located in Rutland, at Alta Vista Farm...
, and on the southwest by Barre
Barre, Massachusetts
Barre is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,398 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally called the Northwest District of Rutland, it was first settled in 1720. The town was incorporated on June 17, 1774, as Hutchinson after Thomas Hutchinson, colonial...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,909 people, 1,308 households, and 1,071 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 95.3 people per square mile (36.8/km²). There were 1,360 housing units at an average density of 33.1 per square mile (12.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.39% White, 0.15% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.28% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.
There were 1,308 households out of which 43.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.1% were non-families. 13.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $61,462, and the median income for a family was $66,058. Males had a median income of $48,730 versus $33,654 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $23,072. About 2.1% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those 65 and older.