.gif)
Route 32 (New England)
Encyclopedia
Route 32 is a multi-state north–south state highway
in the New England
region of the United States
, running from New London, Connecticut
through Massachusetts
to Keene, New Hampshire
. Its number dates from 1922, when it was a New England Interstate Route, also known as the Lake Sunapee Route. (The original route used to end near Lake Sunapee
). The New Hampshire segment of the old New England route was completely deleted and the number was reassigned to a much shorter, completely unrelated route.
and runs north to Norwich along the west bank of the Thames River
. North of Norwich, it heads northwest going through Willimantic
and Stafford
before entering Massachusetts.
. It crosses the Fays Bridge over the Quaboag River
into Palmer
, where it has junctions with both U.S. Route 20
and the Massachusetts Turnpike
. From Palmer, it continues north through Ware
, before crossing for short lengths through West Brookfield
and back into a small segment of Ware, then through a very short segment of New Braintree
before continuing through Hardwick
in the village of Gilbertville
, Barre
, and Petersham
before crossing U.S. Route 202
and Route 2 in Athol
. In Athol it passes the former northern terminus of Route 21
during a concurrency with Route 2A. After splitting from route 2A, the route then goes through the western part of Royalston
and continues into New Hampshire.
on the Massachusetts
border to Keene
. The northern terminus of NH-32 is at New Hampshire Route 12
, near its junction with NH-101
in the village of Joslin, just south of central Keene. NH-32 is locally named Old Homestead Highway. In Keene, NH-32 provides access to the local Dillant-Hopkins Airport
.
In 1932, Route 32 swapped places with Route 12 south of Norwich, Connecticut
. The original route began in Groton instead of its current southern terminus in New London. In northern Connecticut, the alignment was also shifted west by several miles, entering Massachusetts at Monson
instead of at Wales. The old alignment is now Route 19
.
From Connecticut, the original New England route entered Wales, Massachusetts
on what is now Route 19
. It followed Route 19 into Brimfield
, then west along current U.S. Route 20
until Palmer
. The portion between Palmer and Athol
more or less still follows the original route with only minor alignment changes. North of Athol, the old route went along current US 202 up to the New Hampshire state line.
In New Hampshire, the old New England Route was completely deleted sometime in the 1930s. The current alignment in New Hampshire was established later as a continuation of modern Route 32 from the Massachusetts line and is unrelated to the original route. The original route continued from the state line to Henniker
along US 202, then along NH 114
to Bradford
, and finally along NH 103
to its original Newport
terminus west of Lake Sunapee
at New England Route 10.
in central Massachusetts
.
Route 32A is an alternate route to Route 32 from the village of Gilbertville
in Hardwick
to Petersham
center. The road passes close to the eastern shore of the Quabbin Reservoir
, with several entrances (gates 39-42) accessing the reservation lands along the route. It runs parallel several miles east of the former northern half of Route 21
, which ran through the current Quabbin Reservoir lands prior to the reservoir's filling.
and Bradford
. The main route went directly between the two towns along the Henniker-Bradford Road. Route 32A used a more circuitous route, first heading east from Henniker to Hopkinton
then north through Warner
, then west to meet up with the main route again in Bradford. Route 32A was about 27 miles (43.5 km) long. The current designations of old Route 32A are:
New Hampshire decommissioned its New England Route 32 (and 32A) in the early 1930s.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
region of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, running from New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
through 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...
to Keene, New Hampshire
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest...
. Its number dates from 1922, when it was a New England Interstate Route, also known as the Lake Sunapee Route. (The original route used to end near Lake Sunapee
Lake Sunapee
Lake Sunapee is located within Sullivan County and Merrimack County in western New Hampshire, the United States. It is the fifth-largest lake located entirely in New Hampshire....
). The New Hampshire segment of the old New England route was completely deleted and the number was reassigned to a much shorter, completely unrelated route.
Connecticut
Connecticut Route 32 begins in New LondonNew London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
and runs north to Norwich along the west bank of the Thames River
Thames River (Connecticut)
The Thames River is a short river and tidal estuary in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It flows south for through eastern Connecticut from the junction of the Yantic and Shetucket rivers at Norwich, to New London and Groton, which flank its mouth at the Long Island Sound.Differing from its...
. North of Norwich, it heads northwest going through Willimantic
Willimantic, Connecticut
Willimantic is a census-designated place and former city located in the town of Windham in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was estimated at 15,823 at the 2000 census. It is home to Eastern Connecticut State University, as well as the Windham Textile and History Museum....
and Stafford
Stafford, Connecticut
Stafford is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States, settled in 1719. The population was 11,307 at the 2000 census.-History:The Colonial Town of Stafford began as a rural agricultural community...
before entering Massachusetts.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Route 32 begins at the Connecticut state line in MonsonMonson, Massachusetts
Monson is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,560 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.The village of Monson Center lies at the center of the town....
. It crosses the Fays Bridge over the Quaboag River
Quaboag River
The Quaboag River is a river in Massachusetts that heads at Quaboag Pond in Brookfield at an elevation of above sea level. It flows west to the village of Three Rivers, Massachusetts, at an elevation of .-History:...
into Palmer
Palmer, Massachusetts
The Town of Palmer is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,140 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, where it has junctions with both U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 in Massachusetts
The cross-country U.S. Route 20 runs its easternmost in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. The highway crosses the state border from New Lebanon, New York into Hancock, Massachusetts, and runs eastward into Boston, where it ends at Route 2 in Kenmore Square...
and the Massachusetts Turnpike
Massachusetts Turnpike
The Massachusetts Turnpike is the easternmost stretch of Interstate 90. The Turnpike begins at the western border of Massachusetts in West Stockbridge connecting with the Berkshire Connector portion of the New York State Thruway...
. From Palmer, it continues north through Ware
Ware, Massachusetts
Ware is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,707 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.Part of the town comprises the census-designated place of Ware....
, before crossing for short lengths through West Brookfield
West Brookfield, Massachusetts
West Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,701 at the 2010 census. Lucy Stone was born in West Brookfield, and Noah Webster published his dictionary there....
and back into a small segment of Ware, then through a very short segment of New Braintree
New Braintree, Massachusetts
New Braintree is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 999 at the 2010 census.- History :New Braintree was first settled in 1709 and was officially incorporated in 1751....
before continuing through Hardwick
Hardwick, Massachusetts
Hardwick is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, about west of the city of Worcester. It had a population of 2,990 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of Hardwick, Gilbertville, Wheelwright and Old Furnace.- History :...
in the village of Gilbertville
Gilbertville, Massachusetts
Gilbertville is an unincorporated village in the town of Hardwick, Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, about 20 miles west of the city of Worcester.-External links:*...
, 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...
, and Petersham
Petersham, Massachusetts
Petersham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,234 at the 2010 census. Petersham is home to a considerable amount of conservation land, including the Quabbin Reservation, Harvard Forest, the Swift River Reservation, and Federated Women's Club State...
before crossing U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
and Route 2 in Athol
Athol, Massachusetts
Athol is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,584 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally called Pequoiag, the area was first settled by five families in September 1735. When the township was incorporated in 1762, the name was changed to Athol...
. In Athol it passes the former northern terminus of Route 21
Massachusetts Route 21
Route 21 is a south–north state highway in Massachusetts that runs between Springfield and Belchertown.-Route description:The route begins at U.S. Route 20 in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield. It heads north, intersecting with Route 141 before crossing the Chicopee River into...
during a concurrency with Route 2A. After splitting from route 2A, the route then goes through the western part of Royalston
Royalston, Massachusetts
Royalston is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,258 at the 2010 census.-History:Royalston is a small town in the North Quabbin area of northwestern-central Massachusetts. It was named after Isaac Royal, a landowner. It is very large in land area—about...
and continues into New Hampshire.
| County | Location | Milepost | Roads intersected | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampden Hampden County, Massachusetts -Demographics:As of the census of 2004, there were 461,228 people, 175,288 households, and 115,690 families residing in the county. The population density was 738 people per square mile . There were 185,876 housing units at an average density of 301 per square mile... |
Monson Monson, Massachusetts Monson is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,560 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.The village of Monson Center lies at the center of the town.... |
0.0 |  CT Route 32 |
Southern terminus of Massachusetts Route 32. |
| Palmer Palmer, Massachusetts The Town of Palmer is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,140 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
8.8 |  U.S. Route 20U.S. Route 20 in Massachusetts The cross-country U.S. Route 20 runs its easternmost in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. The highway crosses the state border from New Lebanon, New York into Hancock, Massachusetts, and runs eastward into Boston, where it ends at Route 2 in Kenmore Square... East |
Begin concurrency with Route 20. | |
| 9.8 | U.S. Route 20 U.S. Route 20 in Massachusetts The cross-country U.S. Route 20 runs its easternmost in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. The highway crosses the state border from New Lebanon, New York into Hancock, Massachusetts, and runs eastward into Boston, where it ends at Route 2 in Kenmore Square... West |
End concurrency with Route 20. | ||
| 10.5 |  I-90/Mass PikeMassachusetts Turnpike The Massachusetts Turnpike is the easternmost stretch of Interstate 90. The Turnpike begins at the western border of Massachusetts in West Stockbridge connecting with the Berkshire Connector portion of the New York State Thruway... |
Ramp access to I-90 Exit 8. | ||
| Hampshire Hampshire County, Massachusetts -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 152,251 people, 55,991 households, and 33,818 families residing in the county. The population density was 288 people per square mile . There were 58,644 housing units at an average density of 111 per square mile... |
Ware Ware, Massachusetts Ware is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,707 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.Part of the town comprises the census-designated place of Ware.... |
18.9 |  Route 9 West |
Begin concurrency with Route 9. |
| 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.... |
West Brookfield West Brookfield, Massachusetts West Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,701 at the 2010 census. Lucy Stone was born in West Brookfield, and Noah Webster published his dictionary there.... |
20.5 | Route 9 East |
End concurrency with Route 9 at the West Brookfield town line. |
| Hardwick Hardwick, Massachusetts Hardwick is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, about west of the city of Worcester. It had a population of 2,990 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of Hardwick, Gilbertville, Wheelwright and Old Furnace.- History :... |
23.9 |  Route 32A |
Southern terminus of Route 32A. | |
| 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... |
31.5 |  Route 67Massachusetts Route 67 -Route description:Route 67 begins at U.S. Route 20 in Palmer near the Palmer/Monson town line. The highway runs north and east along the Quaboag River and under Interstate 90, the Massachusetts Turnpike, without an intersection. Route 67 becomes concurrent with Route 19 in the center of Warren,... |
Northern terminus of Route 67. | |
| 34.0 |  Route 122 South |
Begin concurrency with Route 122 | ||
| 35.2 |  Route 62 |
Western terminus of Route 62. | ||
| Petersham Petersham, Massachusetts Petersham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,234 at the 2010 census. Petersham is home to a considerable amount of conservation land, including the Quabbin Reservation, Harvard Forest, the Swift River Reservation, and Federated Women's Club State... |
42.5 | Route 122 North |
End concurrency with Route 122 | |
| 42.7 | Route 32A |
Northern terminus of Route 32A | ||
| 44.0 |  Route 101Massachusetts Route 101 Route 101 is a north–south state highway in Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 101 begins in Petersham at Route 32, just north of the center of town. The route heads eastward, winding between two wildlife management areas and south of Queen Lake as it passes through Phillipston... |
Southern end of Route 101 | ||
| Athol Athol, Massachusetts Athol is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,584 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally called Pequoiag, the area was first settled by five families in September 1735. When the township was incorporated in 1762, the name was changed to Athol... |
48.9 |   Route 2 / US 202U.S. Route 202 U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.... |
Access to Route 2 Exit 17. | |
| 49.8 |  Route 2A East |
Begin concurrency with Route 2A | ||
| 50.5 |  Route 21Massachusetts Route 21 Route 21 is a south–north state highway in Massachusetts that runs between Springfield and Belchertown.-Route description:The route begins at U.S. Route 20 in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield. It heads north, intersecting with Route 141 before crossing the Chicopee River into... |
Former northern terminus of Route 21. | ||
| 51.2 | Route 2A West |
End concurrency with Route 2A | ||
| Royalston Royalston, Massachusetts Royalston is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,258 at the 2010 census.-History:Royalston is a small town in the North Quabbin area of northwestern-central Massachusetts. It was named after Isaac Royal, a landowner. It is very large in land area—about... |
58.7 |  Route 68Massachusetts 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... |
Northern terminus of Route 68. | |
| 60.66 |  NH Route 32 |
Northern end of Massachusetts Route 32. Southern end of NH Route 32. |
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Route 32 (NH-32) runs from RichmondRichmond, New Hampshire
Richmond is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,155 at the 2010 census.-History:The town was first chartered in 1735 by Governor Jonathan Belcher of Massachusetts...
on the 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...
border to Keene
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest...
. The northern terminus of NH-32 is at New Hampshire Route 12
New Hampshire Route 12
New Hampshire Route 12 is a north-south state highway running across the western portion of New Hampshire from the Massachusetts state line to the Vermont state line at the Connecticut River.-Route description:...
, near its junction with NH-101
New Hampshire Route 101
New Hampshire Route 101 is a state-maintained highway in southern New Hampshire extending from Keene to Hampton Beach. It is the major east–west highway in the southern portion of the state....
in the village of Joslin, just south of central Keene. NH-32 is locally named Old Homestead Highway. In Keene, NH-32 provides access to the local Dillant-Hopkins Airport
Dillant-Hopkins Airport
Dillant-Hopkins Airport is a general aviation airport located south of the central business district of Keene, in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. It covers and has two runways....
.
| County | Town | Milepost | Junction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheshire Cheshire County, New Hampshire -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 73,825 people, 28,299 households, and 18,790 families residing in the county. The population density was 104 people per square mile . There were 31,876 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile... |
Richmond Richmond, New Hampshire Richmond is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,155 at the 2010 census.-History:The town was first chartered in 1735 by Governor Jonathan Belcher of Massachusetts... |
0.0 |  MA Route 32 |
Northern terminus of MA Route 32. Southern terminus of NH Route 32. |
| 2.4 |  NH 119New Hampshire Route 119 New Hampshire Route 119 is a long east–west state highway in Cheshire County in southwestern New Hampshire. The highway runs from the Massachusetts border in New Ipswich to Hinsdale on the Vermont border.... |
|||
| Keene Keene, New Hampshire Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest... |
14.1 |  NH 12New Hampshire Route 12 New Hampshire Route 12 is a north-south state highway running across the western portion of New Hampshire from the Massachusetts state line to the Vermont state line at the Connecticut River.-Route description:... |
Northern terminus of New Hampshire Route 32. | |
History
New England Route 32 has had many major realignments particularly in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In New Hampshire, the current route has actually no relation to the original New England route.In 1932, Route 32 swapped places with Route 12 south of Norwich, Connecticut
Norwich, Connecticut
Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing...
. The original route began in Groton instead of its current southern terminus in New London. In northern Connecticut, the alignment was also shifted west by several miles, entering Massachusetts at Monson
Monson, Massachusetts
Monson is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,560 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.The village of Monson Center lies at the center of the town....
instead of at Wales. The old alignment is now Route 19
Route 19 (Connecticut)
Route 19 is a minor Connecticut state route running from Stafford to the Massachusetts state line. It is long and runs north–south, entirely within Stafford. The road interconnects the settlements in the eastern part of the town....
.
From Connecticut, the original New England route entered Wales, Massachusetts
Wales, Massachusetts
Wales is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,838 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
on what is now Route 19
Route 19 (Massachusetts)
Route 19 is a 16.5-mile north–south state highway located in south central Massachusetts. It runs from the Connecticut border in Wales north to an intersection with Massachusetts Route 9 and Massachusetts Route 67 in the town of West Brookfield....
. It followed Route 19 into Brimfield
Brimfield, Massachusetts
Brimfield is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,609 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, then west along current U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 is an east–west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, US 20 is a coast-to-coast route. Spanning , it is the longest road in the United States, and the route sparsely parallels Interstate 90...
until Palmer
Palmer, Massachusetts
The Town of Palmer is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,140 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. The portion between Palmer and Athol
Athol, Massachusetts
Athol is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,584 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally called Pequoiag, the area was first settled by five families in September 1735. When the township was incorporated in 1762, the name was changed to Athol...
more or less still follows the original route with only minor alignment changes. North of Athol, the old route went along current US 202 up to the New Hampshire state line.
In New Hampshire, the old New England Route was completely deleted sometime in the 1930s. The current alignment in New Hampshire was established later as a continuation of modern Route 32 from the Massachusetts line and is unrelated to the original route. The original route continued from the state line to Henniker
Henniker, New Hampshire
Henniker is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 4,836. Henniker is home to New England College, Ames State Forest and Craney Hill State Forest....
along US 202, then along NH 114
New Hampshire Route 114
New Hampshire Route 114 is a long secondary north–south highway in central New Hampshire. The highway runs between Bedford, in Hillsborough County and Grantham, in Sullivan County....
to Bradford
Bradford, New Hampshire
Bradford is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,650 at the 2010 census. The main village of the town, where 356 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Bradford census-designated place , and is located west of the junction of New Hampshire...
, and finally along NH 103
New Hampshire Route 103
New Hampshire Route 103 is a long east–west highway in west-central New Hampshire, United States. The highway runs from Claremont, near the Vermont border on the Connecticut River, to Hopkinton, west of Concord....
to its original Newport
Newport, New Hampshire
Newport is a town in and the county seat of Sullivan County, New Hampshire, United States. It is west-northwest of Concord. The population was 6,507 at the 2010 census. A covered bridge is in the northwest...
terminus west of Lake Sunapee
Lake Sunapee
Lake Sunapee is located within Sullivan County and Merrimack County in western New Hampshire, the United States. It is the fifth-largest lake located entirely in New Hampshire....
at New England Route 10.
Massachusetts Route 32A
Route 32A is a short north–south state highwayState highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in central 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...
.
Route 32A is an alternate route to Route 32 from the village of Gilbertville
Gilbertville, Massachusetts
Gilbertville is an unincorporated village in the town of Hardwick, Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, about 20 miles west of the city of Worcester.-External links:*...
in Hardwick
Hardwick, Massachusetts
Hardwick is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, about west of the city of Worcester. It had a population of 2,990 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of Hardwick, Gilbertville, Wheelwright and Old Furnace.- History :...
to Petersham
Petersham, Massachusetts
Petersham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,234 at the 2010 census. Petersham is home to a considerable amount of conservation land, including the Quabbin Reservation, Harvard Forest, the Swift River Reservation, and Federated Women's Club State...
center. The road passes close to the eastern shore of the Quabbin Reservoir
Quabbin Reservoir
The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was built between 1930 and 1939. Today along with the Wachusett Reservoir, it is the primary water supply for Boston, some to the east, as well as 40 other communities in Greater Boston...
, with several entrances (gates 39-42) accessing the reservation lands along the route. It runs parallel several miles east of the former northern half of Route 21
Massachusetts Route 21
Route 21 is a south–north state highway in Massachusetts that runs between Springfield and Belchertown.-Route description:The route begins at U.S. Route 20 in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield. It heads north, intersecting with Route 141 before crossing the Chicopee River into...
, which ran through the current Quabbin Reservoir lands prior to the reservoir's filling.
Major intersections
| County | Location | Mile | Roads intersected | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester 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... |
Hardwick Hardwick, Massachusetts Hardwick is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, about west of the city of Worcester. It had a population of 2,990 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of Hardwick, Gilbertville, Wheelwright and Old Furnace.- History :... |
0.00 | Route 32 |
Southern terminus of Route 32A. |
| Petersham Petersham, Massachusetts Petersham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,234 at the 2010 census. Petersham is home to a considerable amount of conservation land, including the Quabbin Reservation, Harvard Forest, the Swift River Reservation, and Federated Women's Club State... |
12.3 | Route 122 |
||
| 12.79 | Route 32 |
Northern terminus of Route 32A. To Route 101Massachusetts Route 101 Route 101 is a north–south state highway in Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 101 begins in Petersham at Route 32, just north of the center of town. The route heads eastward, winding between two wildlife management areas and south of Queen Lake as it passes through Phillipston... , via Route 32 North. |
New England Interstate Route 32A
New England Interstate Route 32A was an alternate route of the 1920s New England Route 32 in New Hampshire, between the towns of HennikerHenniker, New Hampshire
Henniker is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 4,836. Henniker is home to New England College, Ames State Forest and Craney Hill State Forest....
and Bradford
Bradford, New Hampshire
Bradford is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,650 at the 2010 census. The main village of the town, where 356 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Bradford census-designated place , and is located west of the junction of New Hampshire...
. The main route went directly between the two towns along the Henniker-Bradford Road. Route 32A used a more circuitous route, first heading east from Henniker to Hopkinton
Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Hopkinton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,589 at the 2010 census. It consists of three villages: Hopkinton, West Hopkinton, and Contoocook...
then north through Warner
Warner, New Hampshire
Warner is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,833 at the 2010 census. The town is home to The College of Saint Mary Magdalen, Rollins State Park and Mount Kearsarge State Forest....
, then west to meet up with the main route again in Bradford. Route 32A was about 27 miles (43.5 km) long. The current designations of old Route 32A are:
- US 202 from Henniker to Hopkinton
- NH 103New Hampshire Route 103New Hampshire Route 103 is a long east–west highway in west-central New Hampshire, United States. The highway runs from Claremont, near the Vermont border on the Connecticut River, to Hopkinton, west of Concord....
from Hopkinton to Bradford.
New Hampshire decommissioned its New England Route 32 (and 32A) in the early 1930s.
See also
- Route 32A (Massachusetts) - An alternate route between Hardwick, MassachusettsHardwick, MassachusettsHardwick is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, about west of the city of Worcester. It had a population of 2,990 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of Hardwick, Gilbertville, Wheelwright and Old Furnace.- History :...
and Petersham, MassachusettsPetersham, MassachusettsPetersham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,234 at the 2010 census. Petersham is home to a considerable amount of conservation land, including the Quabbin Reservation, Harvard Forest, the Swift River Reservation, and Federated Women's Club State... - Route 32A (New England) - A defunct, alternate route of the old alignment in New Hampshire through HopkintonHopkinton, New HampshireHopkinton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,589 at the 2010 census. It consists of three villages: Hopkinton, West Hopkinton, and Contoocook...