Lancaster, Massachusetts

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Lancaster, Massachusetts
Location in Worcester County in Massachusetts
Location in Worcester County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°27′20″N 71°40′25″W / 42.45556, -71.67361
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Worcester
Settled 1643
Incorporated 1653
Government
 - Type Open town meeting
Area
 - Total 28.2 sq mi (73.0 km²)
 - Land 27.7 sq mi (71.8 km²)
 - Water 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Elevation 300 ft (91 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 7,380
 - Density 266.7/sq mi (103.0/km²)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 01523
Area code(s) 351 / 978
FIPS code 25-34165
GNIS feature ID 0618368
Website: http://www.ci.lancaster.ma.us/
First Church of Christ Unitarian. Fifth Meeting House, designed by noted architect Charles Bulfinch, built 1815-1817.
First Church of Christ Unitarian. Fifth Meeting House, designed by noted architect Charles Bulfinch, built 1815-1817.

Lancaster is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. Incorporated in 1653, Lancaster is the oldest town in Worcester County. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 7,380.

For geographic and demographic information on the village of South Lancaster, please see the article South Lancaster, Massachusetts.

Contents

[edit] History

Lancaster was first settled as "Nashaway" (after the local Nashaway Indian tribe) in 1643. It was officially incorporated and renamed "Lancaster" in 1653. Until it was cut down due to safety concerns, Lancaster boasted the largest oak tree in the state, called the Beaman Oak, named after settler Gamaliel Beaman (1623-1677).

Lancaster boasts being the official "mothertown" to all of central Massachusetts. Towns such as Harvard, Stow, Bolton, Hudson, Marlborough, Leominster, Clinton, Berlin and Boylston were all once considered part of Lancaster.

Lancaster's founder, John Prescott (1604-1681), wished that the name of his new settlement be Prescottville, but due to English Law at the time, towns could not be named after the founding persons. Instead, Prescott used the name of his town in England as the name of his new town, Lancaster.

Lancaster is home to the Mary Rowlandson (c1637-1711) attack in 1675 and 1676. During King Philip's War, which was fought partially in Lancaster, a tribe of Indians pillaged the entire town of Lancaster. Their last stop on their trail of destruction was Mary Rowlandson's house. Coming to the defense of the house was Rowlandson's brother in-law who was immediately shot and killed by the attacking Indians. The Indians then set fire to the house, forcing Rowlandson to exit the burning building. Upon crossing the doorstep, Rowlandson saw a scene full of carnage. Her entire family was slaughtered, with the exception of her and her 2 daughters. They were kidnapped by the Indians who then took them with them on their travels across New England. The Indians non-fatally shot her in her side.

During her captivity, Rowlandson wrote a book called "A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson." The book is widely considered one of the greatest examples of a captivity narrative.

In 2000, Lancaster Elementary school changed its name to Mary Rowlandson Elementary School.

In 2002, Lancaster Middle school changed its name to Luther Burbank Middle School.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.2 square miles (73.0 km²), of which, 27.7 square miles (71.7 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (1.84%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 7,380 people, 2,049 households, and 1,551 families residing in the town. The population density was 266.7 people per square mile (102.9/km²). There were 2,141 housing units at an average density of 77.4/sq mi (29.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 84.51% White, 10.61% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 1.54% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.44% of the population.

There were 2,049 households out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.1% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 125.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 129.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $60,752, and the median income for a family was $66,490. Males had a median income of $42,367 versus $35,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,010. About 4.4% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

County government: Worcester County
Clerk of Courts: Dennis P. McManus (D)
District Attorney: Joseph D. Early, Jr. (D)
Registrar of Deeds: Anthony J. Vigliotti (D)
Registrar of Probate: Stephen Abraham (D)
County Sheriff: Guy W. Glodis (D)
State government
State Representative(s): James B. Eldridge (D), Harold P. Naughton, Jr. (D)
State Senator(s): Robert A. Antonioni (D)
Governor's Councilor(s): Thomas J. Foley (D)
Federal government
U.S. Representative(s): Niki Tsongas (D) (5th District),
U.S. Senators: Ted Kennedy (D), John Kerry (D)


[edit] Education

Lancaster is served by the Nashoba Regional School District. It is also the site of Atlantic Union College & South Lancaster Academy, incorporated in 1881.

[edit] Notable residents

[edit] References

  1. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

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