History of Dana, Massachusetts, USA*

1801 - Dana is incorporated

1839 - Dana
Dana, Massachusetts
Worcester county. Dana lies 65 miles W. from Boston and 27 W.N.W. from Worcester. A branch of Swift river passes through the town.—Some leather is tanned in Dana; and about 70,000 palm-leaf hats were made in 1836, valued at $10,500. Incorporated, 1781. Population, 1837, 660.
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 - DANA. [Pop. 691. Inc. 1801.]
Dana was composed, of portions of Greenwich, Hardwick, and Petersham, and was named after the Chief-Justice of the State when the town was incorporated.

This small town lies upon two branches of Swift River, and the inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture.

Distance from Worcester, 27 miles; from Boston, 67.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1848 - Dana
This township was composed of a part of Greenwich, in Hampshire county, of the north part of Hardwick, and the south-east part of Petersham. It was incorporated a town in 1801, and is one of the smallest towns in territory and population in the county. A Congregational church was embodied about 1824, but no minister of this denomination has yet been settled. Ministers of other denominations have occasionally preached in the town. Population, 660. Distance, 30 miles north west of Worcester, and 90 from Boston. In 1837 there were 70,000 palm leaf hats manufactured in this town; value, $10,500.
Historical Collections Relating to the History... John Warner Barber, Worcester, Warren Lazell, 1848

1854 - Dana
Dana, a post-township of Worcester county, Massachusetts, 65 miles W. of Boston. Population, 842.
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.

1859
DANA, a township in Worcester co., in the state of Massachsuetts, U.S., on a branch of Swift river. Pop. 691. Palm-leaf hats are extensively manufactured here.

A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Volume 2 Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

Dana Massachusetts, 1890
Dana is a small farming and manufacturing town situated near the middle of the western border of Worcester County, about 75 miles west from Boston. Petersham forms the north and most of the eastern boundary, with the western angle of Barre and a portion of Hardwick on the latter side, while the last mentioned town forms the southern boundary, with Greenwich, Prescott and New Salem on the west.

The assessed area in 1888 was 10,970 acres. Another return gives 11,591, and a third 10,867. Neither of these are intended to include highways or water surfaces. There are 5,632 acres of woodland, consisting mainly of chestnut, pine, and oak. There are intervals of good land; the soil varying from loam to sand. The number of farms is 187, which is an increase of 69 since 1870. Their aggregate product in 1885 was $65,904. The population at the same date was 695; and they were sheltered by 179 dwelling-houses.

The villages and post-offices are Dana Centre and North Dana. The Springfield,... Read MORE...

1895 - Dana
Dana, a post-township of Worcester co., Mass., about 28 miles W.N.W., of Worcester. It contains a village named North Dana, and has manufactures of palm-leaf hats.
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
Dana, a post-township (town) of Worcester co., Mass., 28 miles WNW. of Worcester. Pop. in 1900, 790.
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

Dana was disincorporated on April 28, 1938 to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates