History of Sterling, Massachusetts, USA

1720 - Sterling is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1781 - Sterling is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Sterling
Sterling, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This town was first settled about the year 1721. It was taken from Lancaster in 1781. It lies 40 miles W. from Boston, and 12 N. from Worcester. It is watered by Still river. Its surface is uneven, and its soil light. Population, 1837, 1,650. The manufactures of the town consist of boots, shoes, leather, straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, scythe snaiths, chairs and cabinet ware: total amount, for the year ending April 1, 1837, $76,528, of which $53,228, was for chairs and cabinet ware.
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 - STERLING. [Pop. 1,647. Inc. 1781.]
Sterling was once a part of Lancaster, and called Chockset. Its present name, though misspelled, was given in honor of Lord Stirling, a Major-General in the war of Independence.

Still River, a gentle branch of the Nashua, runs through the town. The soil is good, and the inhabitants turn their attention to agriculture, though they manufacture a considerable amount of cabinet furniture and palm-leaf hats.

Distance from Worcester, 11 miles; from Boston, 40
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1848 - Sterling
This was for many years the second parish in Lancaster, and was usually called Chockset. It was made a separate parish in the year 1743, and remained united with Lancaster until April 25, 1781; when it was incorporated by an act of the legislature, and received its present name in compliment to Lord Sterling, of New Jersey, who served as a general in the American army in the revolutionary war.

The first inhabitants established themselves in this town as early as 1720. Gamaliel Beaman was the first inhabitant, and was immediately followed by Samuel Sawyer, Benjamin Haughton, David Osgood, and Jonathan Osgood. They were all natives of Lancaster old parish, and of families who had long resided there. Their houses were all within short distances of each other, lying north westerly of the meeting house. The first meeting house was built in 1742. The church was gathered Dec. 19, 1744, and Rev. John Mellen was ordained their minister the same day. The second meeting house was erected in... Read MORE...

1854 - Sterling
Sterling, a post-village in Worcester co., Massachusetts, on the Fitchburg and Worces ter railroad, near its junction with the Worcester and Nashua railroad, 40 miles W. by N. from Boston, contains 2 or 3 churches. Population of the township, 1805.
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.

1871 - Mary's Little Lamb
The Worcester Gazette has become nauseated by the many recent effusions concerning "Mary's Little Lamb," and disposes of the animal in this way:

"Mary had a little lamb,"
We've heard it o'er and o'er,
Until that little lamb's become
A perfect little bore!

So I propose there shall be dug
A grave both deep and wide,
In which that lamb and all its bards
Be buried side by side.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 4, 1871

Sterling Massachusetts, 1890
Sterling is a pleasant manufacturing and farming town of 1,321 inhabitants, lying in the northeastern section of Worcester County, 49 miles northwest of Boston; having for its boundaries Leominster on the north, Lancaster and Clinton on the east, Boylston and West Boylston on the south, and Holden and Princeton on the west. The assessed area is 18,668 acres; including upwards of 5,000 acres of forest, consisting of pine and walnut. It has three postal villages -- Sterling Centre (an uncommonly beautiful place), Sterling Junction, Pratt's Junction, and West Sterling, --all except the last being also railroad stations. The Boston and Maine and Old Colony railroads give it ready communication with Boston, Worcester and Fitchburg.

The formative rock is Merrimack schist and the St. John's group; and in the southerly part of the town specimens of iron pyrites, galena, carbonate of iron, spodumene, chiastolite, blende or sulphuret of zinc, and copper pyrites, are discovered. Justice Hill... Read MORE...

1895 - Sterling
Sterling, a post-village in Sterling township, Worcester co., Mass., on the Fitchburg & Worcester Railroad, 14 miles N. of Worcester, and 12 miles S. by E. of Fitchburg. It has 3 churches, a tannery, a chair-factory, and a pottery. Pop. of the township, 1670.
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

1906
Sterling, a post-village in Sterling township (town), Worcester oo., Mass., on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 14 miles N. of Worcester. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1412.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1927 - $75,000 BLAZE SWEEPS BAY STATE CHAIR SHOP
STERLING, Mass., June 2 - (By Associated Press) - Fire starting in the finishing room in the E R Buck Chair shop today caused damage estimated at about $75,000.

At noon the plant was destroyed and firemen from Sterling, Leominster, Lancaster Clinton and Princeton were making every effort to save the Sterling cider mill.

Joseph H. Miller, thirty-eight of 109 Eden Glen, Leominster attached to a fire company, was seriously injured when he fell from a fire truck while on the way to the fire.
The Bridgeport Telegram
Bridgeport, Connecticut
June 3, 1927

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Sterling:
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation:

Hike or drive to the summit for stunning views.
Ski or snowboard in the winter months.

Davis Farmland and Mega Maze:

Family-friendly farm with animals and interactive exhibits.
Seasonal corn mazes for a challenging adventure.

Sterling National Country Club:

Enjoy a round of golf on this well-maintained course.
Check out their events and dining options.

Sterling Historical Society:

Explore local history at the society's museum.
Attend historical events and lectures.

Wachusett Reservoir:

Scenic area for walking, jogging, or fishing.
Capture beautiful sunset views.

Sterling Greenery Community Park:

Relax in this peaceful park with walking trails.
Ideal for picnics and outdoor recreation.

The 1761 Old Mill Restaurant:

Dine in a historic mill with a charming atmosphere.
Enjoy New England cuisine and seasonal dishes.

Sterling Orchards:

Pick your own apples in the fall.
Explore the orchard and enjoy... Read MORE...