According to Educationvv, Worcester County, Massachusetts is a county located in the eastern part of the state. It is home to over 800,000 residents and covers an area of 1,579 square miles. The county seat is Worcester and the largest city is also Worcester.
The county was established in 1731 and named after Sir Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon who was an English statesman and historian. The county borders Norfolk County to the north, Middlesex County to the east, Hampden County to the west, and Rhode Island to the south. It also borders Worcester and Providence Counties in Rhode Island.
Worcester County has a rich history that dates back to before colonial times when it was inhabited by Native Americans including Nipmucs and Wampanoags. During colonial times it was part of Massachusetts Bay Colony until it became its own county in 1731.
The economy of Worcester County is largely driven by education as it is home to several colleges and universities such as Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Assumption College, Becker College, Quinsigamond Community College (QCC), UMass Medical School-Baystate Health System (UMMS-BHS), Nichols College and more. Additionally, healthcare also plays a major role in the local economy as it has numerous hospitals such as UMass Memorial Medical Center-University Campus (UMMC-UC) and Saint Vincent Hospital (SVH).
In terms of transportation infrastructure, Worcester County boasts several highways including I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) which runs through its western region connecting Boston with Springfield; I-495 which runs through its northern region connecting Lowell with Providence; US Route 20 which runs through its central region connecting Dedham with Auburn; MA Route 9 which runs through its eastern region connecting Framingham with Westborough; MA Route 12 which runs through its southern region connecting Webster with Leicester; MA Route 146 which runs through its southwestern region connecting Shrewsbury with Oxford; MA Route 122A which connects Holden with Rutland; MA Route 56 which connects North Brookfield with Southbridge; MA Route 140 which connects Fitchburg with Millbury; MA Route 31 which connects Clinton with Sterling; plus many more roads that connect towns within Worcester County itself.
Worcester County is a vibrant community that offers plenty for residents as well as visitors alike. With plenty of educational institutions on offer as well as various healthcare facilities plus an extensive transportation infrastructure network – there’s something here for everyone.
History of Worcester County, Massachusetts
Worcester County is located in the central region of Massachusetts and is the second most populous county in the state. It was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes including Nipmucs and Wampanoags. During colonial times it was part of Massachusetts Bay Colony until it became its own county in 1731.
In the early days, Worcester County’s economy was mainly based on agriculture with small-scale farming being the main source of income for many residents. In fact, some of the earliest settlers were farmers who moved to this area from other parts of New England. As time passed, however, industry began to play a larger role in the local economy as factories began to spring up throughout Worcester County such as paper mills in Fitchburg and shoe factories in Webster.
The Industrial Revolution also had a major impact on Worcester County as it saw an influx of immigrants from Europe who came looking for jobs and opportunities. This led to rapid population growth which further spurred industrial development as well as infrastructure improvements such as railroads and canals that connected Worcester County with other parts of Massachusetts as well as other states.
Today, Worcester County’s economy is largely driven by education as it is home to several colleges and universities such as Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Assumption College, Becker College, Quinsigamond Community College (QCC), UMass Medical School-Baystate Health System (UMMS-BHS), Nichols College and more. Additionally, healthcare also plays a major role in the local economy as it has numerous hospitals such as UMass Memorial Medical Center-University Campus (UMMC-UC) and Saint Vincent Hospital (SVH).
In terms of transportation infrastructure, Worcester County boasts several highways including I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) which runs through its western region connecting Boston with Springfield; I-495 which runs through its northern region connecting Lowell with Providence; US Route 20 which runs through its central region connecting Dedham with Auburn; MA Route 9 which runs through its eastern region connecting Framingham with Westborough; MA Route 12 which runs through its southern region connecting Webster with Leicester; MA Route 146 which runs through its southwestern region connecting Shrewsbury with Oxford; MA Route 122A which connects Holden with Rutland; MA Route 56 which connects North Brookfield with Southbridge; MA Route 140 which connects Fitchburg with Millbury; MA Route 31 which connects Clinton with Sterling; plus many more roads that connect towns within Worcester County itself.
Over time, Worcester County has grown into a vibrant community offering plenty for both residents and visitors alike. With plenty of educational institutions on offer alongside various healthcare facilities plus an extensive transportation infrastructure network – there’s something here for everyone.
Major cities and towns in Worcester County, Massachusetts
Worcester County, Massachusetts is home to many vibrant cities and towns that offer something for everyone. The county seat is Worcester, the second-largest city in Massachusetts and a major regional center for business, education, healthcare, and culture. Other major cities and towns include:
Auburn – This small suburban town is located in the center of Worcester County and is known for its beautiful scenic views of the nearby Wachusett Mountain. It has a rich history as it was founded in 1778 by settlers from Leicester. Today, Auburn boasts a variety of recreational activities such as hiking trails at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, boating and fishing at Lake Quinsigamond, and skiing at Ski Ward Ski Area.
Fitchburg – Located in the northern region of Worcester County near the New Hampshire border, Fitchburg is known for its diverse population and strong industrial history. It offers plenty of recreational activities such as hiking trails at Willard Brook State Forest, kayaking on Nashua River, golfing at Oak Hill Country Club, biking on Fitchburg Rail Trail, plus many more outdoor activities to explore.
Grafton – This quaint town located in central Worcester County is known for its historic buildings such as Old Sturbridge Village which features a living museum dedicated to early American life. Grafton also offers plenty of outdoor recreational activities such as walking trails at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation or fishing on Clamshell Pond.
Leicester – Located in the south-central region of Worcester County near the Connecticut border this small rural town has plenty to offer visitors including historic sites like Old Indian Meeting House or Salisbury Mansion plus plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking trails at Leominster State Forest or canoeing on Quinebaug River.
Shrewsbury – This suburban town located in the western region of Worcester County near Boston features plenty of shopping malls along with several historical sites like Old Shrewsbury Meeting House or Shrewsbury Historical Society Museum. Additionally, there are plenty of outdoor activities to explore like biking along Lake Quinsigamond or fishing on Long Pond.
Holden – Located in central Worcester County this small suburban town features several historical buildings such as Holden Town Hall which was built in 1845 plus several parks including Jefferson Park which offers walking trails plus a playground area for kids. Additionally, Holden also hosts several annual events like Holden Days Festival which takes place every summer.
Uxbridge – This rural town located near Rhode Island border has plenty to offer visitors including historical sites like Uxbridge Historic District or Uxbridge Town Hall plus outdoor recreational activities like biking along Blackstone River Bikeway or canoeing on Mumford River.
Airports in Worcester County, Massachusetts
According to countryaah.com, Worcester County, Massachusetts is well served by airports that make it easy for visitors to get in and out of the area. The largest airport in the county is Worcester Regional Airport, which serves as the main commercial airport for the county. It is located in Worcester, just off of Route 146 and offers flights to various destinations throughout the United States. The airport is served by several major airlines including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways and United Airlines. Additionally, there are a variety of car rental companies located onsite for those who wish to rent a vehicle upon arrival.
The other major airport serving Worcester County is Boston Logan International Airport which is located about 40 miles away from Worcester. This large international airport offers flights from over 30 different airlines and serves as a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways. There are also many car rental companies available at Boston Logan International Airport making it easy to rent a car upon arrival or departure.
In addition to these two major airports there are also several smaller regional airports located throughout Worcester County including Fitchburg Municipal Airport, Leominster Municipal Airport and Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. These smaller airports offer flights to various destinations within New England and often serve as hubs for private aircrafts or charter flights.
Finally, if you need transportation around Worcester County while you’re visiting there are plenty of taxi services available as well as public transportation options like buses operated by WRTA (Worcester Regional Transit Authority). Additionally, there are two Amtrak train stations located in Worcester which offer service between Boston and New York City with stops in Providence, Rhode Island along the way.
