Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

The Town of Shrewsbury, named for Shrewsbury, England, is a community with an uneven and hilly terrain cut by a number of minor streams providing several small water power sites. Grants of land were made in what would eventually be the town beginning in 1664, with the {{convert|3200|acre|km2|adj=on}} grant called Haynes Farm as the largest. In 1664 Native American leader, Peter Jethro, and other Nipmuc Indians deeded land around Lake Quinsigamond to settlers in the area.Barry, William, A History of Framingham, Massachusetts (Boston: James Munroe and Company, 1847), 19-20 Settlers came primarily from Sudbury and Marlborough, and the first permanent settler was Gersham Wheelock in 1720. As a town, Shrewsbury was first settled in 1722 and officially incorporated in 1727.

Townspeople created an agricultural economy with apple orchards, and by 1750, there were two stores and four taverns as well as several small industries in operation. The rapid fall of prices for agricultural goods, the shortage of hard currency, and the general economic depression following the Revolutionary War produced disastrous conditions for colonists. Shays' Rebellion in 1786 sought to close the courts to prevent debt collections and the foreclosure of mortgages. Shrewsbury became a staging area for the rebellion and the encampment of the more than 400 insurgents, before the march on the Worcester Court House.

A leather industry began in 1786 in Shrewsbury, and town farmers developed large cattle herds to support the manufacture of boots and shoes. This was followed by the establishment of gunsmithing operations in 1797, which produced rifles, shotguns and pistols and eventually cutlery. Luther Goddard began in 1809 by making brass clocks and then established a small watch factory employing a few skilled Swiss and English watchmakers. Lumbering created sawmills, and they in turn drew chair and cabinet makers, plow and wagon builders.

The development of streetcar routes in the 19th century propelled the growth of single-family housing in town. A summer resort population on Lake Quinsigamond became consumers of the market garden produce grown by town farmers. As Shrewsbury's industry was killed by the lack of large waterpower sites and the tardy arrival of the railroad, its role as a suburb of Worcester grew more important. The town's population doubled from 1915 to 1940 as continued streetcar suburb growth brought more modern settlers into the community. Other modern developments included an increased number of lakeside cottages, ethnic clubs and recreational areas on the lake.

The 1953 Worcester tornado came through the Shrewsbury area, killing twelve people and causing extensive damage.

Since the late 20th century, Shrewsbury and neighboring Westborough have seen a large influx of immigration from South Asia, particularly India.{{cite web | url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/local/east-valley/2017/12/10/indian-community-at-home-in-central-mass/16844401007/ | title=Indian community at home in Central Mass }}{{cite web | url=https://www.boston.com/uncategorized/noprimarytagmatch/2012/10/25/indian-culture-in-shrewsbury-and-westborough-expands/ | title=Indian culture in Shrewsbury and Westborough expands }}

Shrewsbury is a suburb of Worcester. The town has a total area of {{convert|21.6|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|20.7|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.9|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}, or 4.25%, is water.According to the United States Census Bureau Busta Rhymes Island is located in Shrewsbury.{{Cite news|date=March 13, 2014|title=One Man's Mission to Name an Island After Busta Rhymes|language=en-US|work=Slate|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2014/03/13/one_man_s_mission_to_name_an_island_after_busta_rhymes_99_invisible_by_roman.html?via=gdpr-consent|access-date=June 22, 2021|issn=1091-2339}}

{{Weather box

|location = Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

|width=auto

|Jan record high F = 64

|Feb record high F = 70

|Mar record high F = 83

|Apr record high F = 90

|May record high F = 97

|Jun record high F = 96

|Jul record high F = 96

|Aug record high F = 98

|Sep record high F = 96

|Oct record high F = 86

|Nov record high F = 78

|Dec record high F = 69

|Jan high F = 33

|Feb high F = 36

|Mar high F = 44

|Apr high F = 55

|May high F = 68

|Jun high F = 76

|Jul high F = 81

|Aug high F = 79

|Sep high F = 71

|Oct high F = 61

|Nov high F = 50

|Dec high F = 38

|Jan low F = 15

|Feb low F = 17

|Mar low F = 26

|Apr low F = 37

|May low F = 48

|Jun low F = 57

|Jul low F = 63

|Aug low F = 61

|Sep low F = 52

|Oct low F = 40

|Nov low F = 32

|Dec low F = 22

|Jan record low F = −26

|Feb record low F = −15

|Mar record low F = −6

|Apr record low F = 13

|May record low F = 28

|Jun record low F = 34

|Jul record low F = 42

|Aug record low F = 36

|Sep record low F = 28

|Oct record low F = 18

|Nov record low F = 9

|Dec record low F = −10

|Jan precipitation inch = 4.20

|Feb precipitation inch = 3.48

|Mar precipitation inch = 4.27

|Apr precipitation inch = 4.36

|May precipitation inch = 3.94

|Jun precipitation inch = 3.93

|Jul precipitation inch = 3.80

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.26

|Sep precipitation inch = 4.11

|Oct precipitation inch = 4.33

|Nov precipitation inch = 4.46

|Dec precipitation inch = 3.99

|source 1 = Weather.com{{cite web

| url =http://weather.com

|title = Weather.com}}

|date=August 2010

}}

{{Historical populations | type=USA

| 1850|1596

| 1860|1558

| 1870|1610

| 1880|1500

| 1890|1449

| 1900|1626

| 1910|1946

| 1920|3708

| 1930|6910

| 1940|7586

| 1950|10594

| 1960|16622

| 1970|19196

| 1980|22674

| 1990|24146

| 2000|31640

| 2010|35608

| 2020|38325

| 2023|38889

| footnote={{Historical populations/Massachusetts municipalities references}}{{cite web | title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020−2023| publisher=United States Census Bureau | access-date=June 4, 2024 | url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html}}

}}

By the 2020 census, the population had reached 38,325.

As of the 2020 Census, there were 38,325 people, the racial makeup of the town was 64.1% White, 2.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 24.6% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 6.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.2% of the population.

As of the 2020 Census, there were 14,966 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. Of all households 25.3% were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54, and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $109,000 and the median income for a family was $124,000 (as of the 2010 census[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=06000US2502761800&-qr_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_DP3YR3&-context=adp&-ds_name=&-tree_id=3307&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format= Shrewsbury town] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414124309/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y |date=April 14, 2009 }} United States Census Bureau). Males had a median income of $56,259 versus $37,129 for females. The per capita income for the town was $45,570. About 3.3% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

• Hebert Candies, where white chocolate was first produced in the United States.{{Cite web|last=Petersen|first=Chris|date=August 23, 2013|title=American Gourmet Group/Hebert Candies|url=http://www.fooddrink-magazine.com/sections/retailers/1371-american-gourmet-grouphebert-candies|access-date=April 26, 2021|website=Food and Drink Magazine}}
• The now-defunct Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology was a research facility where the combined oral contraceptive pill was first developed. The campus is now the Hoagland-Pincus Conference Center of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
• The now-defunct Spag's, an all-purpose store, which predated Costco, Walmart and other similar outlets. The site is now a retail development.{{Cite web|last=Micucci|first=Emily|date=March 12, 2015|title=Developer announces new tenants for former Spag's site, more to come|url=https://www.wbjournal.com/article/developer-announces-new-tenants-for-former-spags-site-more-to-come|access-date=April 26, 2021|website=Worcester Business Journal|language=en-US}}
• The now-defunct White City amusement park, now the site of a shopping plaza.

File:Shrewsbury Common, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.jpg

The following sites in Shrewbury are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

• General Artemas Ward House
• District No. 5 School
• Shrewsbury Historic District, in the town center
• Two 1767 Milestones from the Boston Post Road

File:Shrewsbury Public Library - Shrewsbury, MA - DSC03917.jpg

The Shrewsbury Public Library was established in 1872.{{cite book | first=C.B. | last=Tillinghast | title= The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts | location=Boston | publisher=Wright & Potter | year=1891 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LusKAAAAYAAJ}}{{cite web |url=http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/department/index.php?fDD=17-0 |title=Town of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts - Library |access-date=November 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106063229/http://shrewsbury-ma.gov/department/index.php?fDD=17-0 |archive-date=January 6, 2011 }} Retrieved November 10, 2010 The library was expanded in 1978,[http://campaign4shrewsburylibrary.net Campaign4ShrewsburyLibrary.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827092512/http://campaign4shrewsburylibrary.net/ |date=August 27, 2011 }}. Retrieved August 28, 2011. and a new {{convert|42,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} library opened in 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://shrewsburyma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/06152016-885|title=Minutes, Board of Library Trustees meeting, June 15, 2016}}{{Cite news|last=McGagh|first=Ken|date=September 22, 2016|title=Shrewsbury Public Library officially opens with ribbon cutting ceremony|language=en|newspaper=Shrewsbury Chronicle|url=http://shrewsbury.wickedlocal.com/news/20160922/shrewsbury-public-library-officially-opens-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony|access-date=February 8, 2017}}

• Ski Ward, a year-round recreational facility offering skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
• Prospect Park, a {{convert|71|acre|ha|abbr=on|adj=on}} forest area with walking, running, and biking trails.{{cite web|url=https://www.discovercentralma.org/profile/prospect-park-2-2-2-2/|publisher=Discover Central MA|title=Prospect Park|access-date=December 14, 2022}}
• Jordan Pond Recreational area, {{Convert|0.8|mi}} of recreational trails surrounding Jordan Pond{{Cite web |title=Location - Discover Central Massachusetts |url=https://www.discovercentralma.org/profile/dean-park/ |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=www.discovercentralma.org}}
• Dean Park, a recreational area which includes {{Convert|1.8|mi}} of hiking trails.{{Cite web |title=Jordan Pond |url=https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/massachusetts/jordan-pond |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=AllTrails.com |language=en}}

File:Shrewsbury MA Municipal Buildig 2.jpg

Shrewsbury is governed in the traditional New England style. Municipal elections are held on the first Tuesday in May. The legislative branch, a Representative Town Meeting, has 240 elected members. The executive branch has a five-member Select Board with three-year staggered terms, an appointed Town Manager, and other elected and appointed positions.

The Select Board https://shrewsburyma.gov/535/Select-Board includes Beth N. Casavant, Theresa H. Flynn (vice-chair), John R. Samia (chair), Michelle K. Conlin, and Carlos A. Garcia. The Town Manager is Kevin J. Mizikar.{{cite web | url=http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/department/division.php?fDD=3-303 | title=Town Officials | publisher=Town of Shrewsbury | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513194819/http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/department/division.php?fDD=3-303 | archive-date=May 13, 2012 }}

• State Representative: Hannah Kane (R—11th Worcester district)
• State Senator: Michael O. Moore (D—2nd Worcester district)
• Governor's Councilor: Paul Depalo (D)
• U.S. Representative: James McGovern (D—{{ushr|Massachusetts|2}})
• U.S. Senators: Elizabeth Warren (D), Ed Markey (D)

File:Shrewsbury High School 01.jpg

Shrewsbury Public Schools is the public school district in the town. Schools in the district include Shrewsbury High School, two middle schools, five elementary schools, and one preschool. These schools are Parker Road Preschool, Major Howard W. Beal School (grades K–4), Floral Street School (grades K–4), Spring Street School (grades K–4), Walter J. Paton Elementary School (grades K–4), Calvin Coolidge Elementary School (grades K–4), Sherwood Middle School (grades 5–6), Oak Middle School (grades 7–8), and the Shrewsbury High School.

File:Ryken Center, St Johns High School, Shrewsbury MA.jpg

Non-public schools in town include Shrewsbury Montessori, a private school offering programs for Pre-K through grade 6;{{Cite web |url=http://shrewsburymontessori.org/about-us/ |title=Shrewsbury Montessori School – About Us |access-date=July 23, 2016 |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828183938/http://shrewsburymontessori.org/about-us/ |url-status=dead }} St. Mary's School, a Catholic parochial school for Pre-K through grade 8;{{Cite web |url=http://www.stmarysparish.org/school/AboutUs.aspx |title=About St. Mary School, Shrewsbury MA |access-date=July 23, 2016 |archive-date=July 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711061423/http://www.stmarysparish.org/school/AboutUs.aspx |url-status=dead }} and Saint John's High School, a private Xaverian Brothers–sponsored high school.{{Cite web|url=https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/|title=Welcome to Shrewsbury Public Schools in Shrewsbury, MA|website=schools.shrewsburyma.gov}}

• The Community Advocate

• Richard T. Antoun (1932–2009), Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Binghamton University; stabbed to death by a student
• Kenneth S. Apfel (born 1948), 13th Commissioner of Social Security
• Lillian Asplund (1906–2006), last American survivor of the Titanic sinking
• Matthew Beaton (born 1978), former Massachusetts state legislator
• Mike Birbiglia (born 1978), stand-up comedian
• Peter I. Blute (born 1956), Congressman representing {{ushr|Massachusetts|3|}} from 1993 to 1997
• Min Chueh Chang (1908–1991), co-inventor of the combined oral contraceptive pill and in-vitro fertilization
• Ralph Earl (1751–1801), American painter and landscape artist, known for his portrait of Roger Sherman
• Gardner Howe (1759–1854), Vermont state legislator
• Jonah Howe (1749–1826), Massachusetts state legislator
• Luke Knowlton (1738–1810), founder of Newfane, Vermont, Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, member of the Vermont House of Representatives
• Jesse Livermore (1877-1940), pioneering stock trader
• Gregory Mcdonald (1937–2008), author of the Fletch series of novels
• Craig Mello (born 1960), winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• Francis Patrick O'Connor (1927–2007), Massachusetts Supreme Court Judge
• Robert Allan Ridley Parker (born 1936), director of the NASA Management Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• Charlie Pierce (born 1953), American writer/journalist, and panelist on NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me
• Karyn Polito (born 1966), Massachusetts state legislator and 72nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
• Simon Lizotte (born 1992), German American Professional Disc Golfer
• Teddy Quinlivan (born 1994), Transgender fashion model
• Artemas Ward (1727–1800), American Major General in the American Revolutionary War and a Congressman from Massachusetts, often characterized as the runner-up for George Washington's post
• Jesse Livermore (1877 –1940), stock trader
• Hannah Kane (born 1971), Massachusetts State Representative representing the 11th Worcester District

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov}}

{{Geographic location

| Centre = Shrewsbury

| North = Boylston

| East = Northborough

| South = Grafton

| Southeast = Westborough

| Northwest = West Boylston

| West = Worcester

}}

{{Worcester County, Massachusetts}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Towns in Massachusetts

Category:Towns in Worcester County, Massachusetts