History of Bolton, Massachusetts, USA

1682 - Bolton is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1738 - Bolton is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Bolton
Bolton, Massachusetts
A good farming town in the county of Worcester, 31 miles W. by N. from Boston and 15 N.N.E. from Worcester. Incorporated, 1738. Population, 1837, 1,185. It lies between Concord and Nashua rivers. Here are good limestone, and small manufactures of boots, shoes, leather and combs.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - BOLTON. [Pop. 1,186. Inc. 1738.]
Bolton once included the greater part of Berlin, and with. Berlin once belonged to Lancaster.

The land is elevated, and its hills separate the streams of the Nashua and the Concord. The soil is productive.

Combs, boots and shoes, are the principal manufactures.

Distance from Worcester, 16 miles ; from Boston, 31.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1848 - Bolton
This town was taken from the old town of Lancaster, and was incorporated in 1738 by the general court, when it received its present name. It was originally pretty extensive, and contained most of the town of Berlin. The first church was gathered here in 1741, and Rev. Thomas Goss was ordained their pastor. He remained till his death, in 1780, and was succeeded by Rev. John Walley, who was dismissed from the society not long before his death, and was succeeded by Rev. Phineas Wright, ordained in 1785. Rev. Isaac Allen succeeded Mr. Wright, in 1804. Rev. John W. Chickering, the first minister of the 2d society, was ordained in 1830; he was succeeded by Rev. John S. Davenport, in 1836. In this town and in Berlin there is a society of Friends, consisting of a large number of wealthy families.

The engraving on the following page is a south-eastern view of the village in the central part of the town.

The township is very good land, and there are many fine farms within its limits. The... Read MORE...

1854 - Bolton
Bolton, a post-township of Worcester county, Massachusetts, 27 miles W. by N. of Boston. Population, 1263.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1883 - Bolton Fair
The Bolton Fair was established in 1883.

1885 - The fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Samuel Brown Hayes and Miss Rebecca Hosmer was celebrated at their residence in Bolton, Mass.,
lately, where they have lived fifty years. Mrs. Hayes was the fourth daughter of the late Nathan David Hosmer, of Acton, and is the fourth child in the family who has celebrated a golden wedding.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
June 27, 1885

Bolton Massachusetts, 1890
Bolton is an agricultural town, situated on elevated land of remarkable scenic beauty, in the easterly part of Worcester County, 30 miles west of Boston. It is bounded on the north by Harvard, east by Stow, south by Hudson and Berlin, and on the west by Clinton and Lancaster. Its railroad connections are at the southeast (Hudson), on the Central Massachusetts Division of the Boston and Maine Railroad and the Marlboro branch of the Fitchburg Railroad; and at the west centre (Bolton), on the Clinton Branch of the Old Colony Railroad.

The underlying rocks in this town are calcareous gneiss and Merrimack schists, in which occur fine specimens of scapolite, Boltonite, magnesite, allanite, spliene, nuttalite, radiated, fibrous and brown hornblende, and other curious minerals. There are also limestone ledges in which excavations have been made. From the quarry at Rattlesnake Mountain, half a century ago, there were annually sent fifteen to twenty thousand bushels of lime. The rock,... Read MORE...

1895 - Bolton
Bolton, a post-township of Worcester co., Mass., on the Nashua River, and on the Boston, Clinton & Fitchburg Railroad, 43 miles by rail W. by N. of Boston. It has a high school and 3 churches. Pop. in 1890, 827.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1916
Bolton, a post-township (town) of Worcester co., Mass., on the Nashua River and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 43 miles W. by N. of Boston. Pop. in 1900, 770.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Bolton:
Bolton Orchards:

Explore the local market offering fresh produce, bakery items, and a variety of gourmet products.
Enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack in the cafe area.

Bolton Town Common:

Take a stroll around the town common, a picturesque and historic area.

Attend community events and festivals that often take place here.

Bolton Conservation Land:

Hike or bike through the town's scenic conservation areas, such as the Bowers Springs Conservation Area or Vaughn Hills.

Nashoba Valley Winery:

Visit this nearby winery for wine tastings, tours, and beautiful views of the vineyards.
Check for events like live music or special tastings.

Bolton Artisans Guild:

Explore local art at the Bolton Artisans Guild, featuring a variety of handmade crafts and artworks by local artisans.

Bolton Historical Society Museum:

Learn about the history of Bolton through exhibits and artifacts at the local historical society museum.

Houghton Building:

Attend community... Read MORE...