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History of Rutland, Massachusetts, USA
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Rutland, Worcester, MA
The town was first settled in 1666 as Naquag. Officially incorporated in 1713, the Town of Rutland was made up of Barre, Hubbardston, Oakham, Princeton, and the northern half of Paxton. wikipedia
Rutland includes: Barrack Hill, Muschopauge, New Boston, Rutland Heights, and White Hall.
netronline.com/ mass_lookup.htm
Rutland Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Rutland, Massachusetts, USA
Photograph

The Rufus Putnam House, Rutland, Massachusetts
Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
Read more about Rufus PUTNAM


Rutland, Massachusetts, USA
Photograph

View of Rutland Street, 1898
Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.

Rutland, Massachusetts, USA
Photograph

View of Rutland Centre from Muschopauge Hill, 1898
Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
Discover Rutland: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1764 - October 27 - A "very remarkable storm of snow with high winds" produced 22 inches at Rutland in central Massachusetts.
WeatherForYou.com
WeatherForYou.com
1838 - Grist Mill Fire
On Friday last, the grist mill and turning shop of Capt. Daniel Dammon, Jr., in the south part of Rutland, took fire about noon, and were wholly consumed, with a considerable amount of lumber, stock and machinery. The whole loss is estimated at $1100. The buildings were ensured to the amount of $500 with the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurances Company. The fire is supposed to have originated from a spark accidentally falling among the shavings in the shop.
Barre Weekly Gazette
Barre, Massachusetts
November 2, 1838
On Friday last, the grist mill and turning shop of Capt. Daniel Dammon, Jr., in the south part of Rutland, took fire about noon, and were wholly consumed, with a considerable amount of lumber, stock and machinery. The whole loss is estimated at $1100. The buildings were ensured to the amount of $500 with the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurances Company. The fire is supposed to have originated from a spark accidentally falling among the shavings in the shop.
Barre Weekly Gazette
Barre, Massachusetts
November 2, 1838
1839 - Rutland
Rutland, Massachusetts
Worcester county. Rutland was formerly twelve miles square, and was sold by the Indians, in 1686, for £23 lawful money. It was first settled about the year 1720, and incorporated in 1722. It lies 51 miles W. by N. from Boston and 12 N.W. from Worcester. A branch of Ware river waters the town, and gives it mill privileges. The manufactures consist of woolen goods, leather, boots, shoes, chairs, cabinet and wooden wares; annual value about $50,000. Rutland is a very pleasant town, of good soil and well cultivated. Its exports of beef, butter and cheese are considerable. It contains some fine fish ponds. Population, 1837, 1,265.
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. Alphabetically arranged. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
Rutland, Massachusetts
Worcester county. Rutland was formerly twelve miles square, and was sold by the Indians, in 1686, for £23 lawful money. It was first settled about the year 1720, and incorporated in 1722. It lies 51 miles W. by N. from Boston and 12 N.W. from Worcester. A branch of Ware river waters the town, and gives it mill privileges. The manufactures consist of woolen goods, leather, boots, shoes, chairs, cabinet and wooden wares; annual value about $50,000. Rutland is a very pleasant town, of good soil and well cultivated. Its exports of beef, butter and cheese are considerable. It contains some fine fish ponds. Population, 1837, 1,265.
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. Alphabetically arranged. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
1845 - RUTLAND. [Pop. 1,260. Inc. 1722.]
Rutland, though a small town, has been the fruitful mother of many towns, for her bounds once included Barre, Hubbardston, Oakham, part of Princeton, and part of Paxton.
Rutland was considerably annoyed by the French and Indians, about the time it was incorporated.
The land is elevated, and its streams run both cast and west. Rutland is well adapted to grazing, and produces fine beef, butter, and cheese.
The only manufactures are boots, shoes, and some woollen goods.
Distance from Worcester, 12 miles; from Boston, 51.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Rutland, though a small town, has been the fruitful mother of many towns, for her bounds once included Barre, Hubbardston, Oakham, part of Princeton, and part of Paxton.
Rutland was considerably annoyed by the French and Indians, about the time it was incorporated.
The land is elevated, and its streams run both cast and west. Rutland is well adapted to grazing, and produces fine beef, butter, and cheese.
The only manufactures are boots, shoes, and some woollen goods.
Distance from Worcester, 12 miles; from Boston, 51.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
1848 - Rutland
This town was purchased of the Indians, in 1686, for £23 of the currency of that time, and a deed executed to Henry Willard, Joseph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, Benjamin Willard, and Cyprian Stevens, by Wanapapan and Walipunit, of Natick, and others, Indian proprietors. The general name of this tract was Naquag.
This deed was recorded, but nothing further was done with the purchase for 26 years. In 1713, upon petition of the proprietors, it was confirmed to them by the general court, coaditionally, that within 7 years’ time 60 families should be settled upon it. The conditions of the grant being fulfilled, the town was incorporated by the legislature, at their May session, in 1722. The Rev. Joseph Willard was chosen unanimously by the inhabitants to be their minister, but, as events took place, was never settled with them. The church was gathered in November, 1727, and at the same time Rev. Thomas Frink was ordained their first pastor. He was dismissed in 1740, and was succeeded by... Read MORE...
This town was purchased of the Indians, in 1686, for £23 of the currency of that time, and a deed executed to Henry Willard, Joseph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, Benjamin Willard, and Cyprian Stevens, by Wanapapan and Walipunit, of Natick, and others, Indian proprietors. The general name of this tract was Naquag.
This deed was recorded, but nothing further was done with the purchase for 26 years. In 1713, upon petition of the proprietors, it was confirmed to them by the general court, coaditionally, that within 7 years’ time 60 families should be settled upon it. The conditions of the grant being fulfilled, the town was incorporated by the legislature, at their May session, in 1722. The Rev. Joseph Willard was chosen unanimously by the inhabitants to be their minister, but, as events took place, was never settled with them. The church was gathered in November, 1727, and at the same time Rev. Thomas Frink was ordained their first pastor. He was dismissed in 1740, and was succeeded by... Read MORE...
1854 - Rutland
Rutland, a post-township in Worcester co., Massachusetts, 50 miles W. by N. from Boston. Population, 1223.
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.
Rutland, a post-township in Worcester co., Massachusetts, 50 miles W. by N. from Boston. Population, 1223.
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.
Rutland Massachusetts, 1890
Rutland is a fine farming town of 963 inhabitants, in the central part of Worcester County, 55 miles west of Boston on the Massachusetts Central Railroad; and having for its boundaries Princeton on the northeast, Holden and Paxton on the southeast, Oakham on the southwest, and Barre and Hubbardston on the northwest. The area is about 23,000 acres; and there are upwards of 7,000 acres of forests.
The land is broken, but excellent for grazing. The most notable eminences are Turkey, Rice and Barrack hills; on the last of which General Burgoyne's army was encamped for some time. The highest point on its railroad is in this town. In the southern part are Long Pond of 160 acres, Demond Pond of 138 acres, Turkey-hill Pond of 83 acres; and in the eastern part is Musquapoag Pond, of 110 acres. Ware River winds through the northern part, receiving from the central section Mill and Long Pond brooks, on which are several good mill privileges. The waters of a copious spring, about half a mile... Read MORE...
Rutland is a fine farming town of 963 inhabitants, in the central part of Worcester County, 55 miles west of Boston on the Massachusetts Central Railroad; and having for its boundaries Princeton on the northeast, Holden and Paxton on the southeast, Oakham on the southwest, and Barre and Hubbardston on the northwest. The area is about 23,000 acres; and there are upwards of 7,000 acres of forests.
The land is broken, but excellent for grazing. The most notable eminences are Turkey, Rice and Barrack hills; on the last of which General Burgoyne's army was encamped for some time. The highest point on its railroad is in this town. In the southern part are Long Pond of 160 acres, Demond Pond of 138 acres, Turkey-hill Pond of 83 acres; and in the eastern part is Musquapoag Pond, of 110 acres. Ware River winds through the northern part, receiving from the central section Mill and Long Pond brooks, on which are several good mill privileges. The waters of a copious spring, about half a mile... Read MORE...
1895 - Rutland
Rutland, a post-village in Rutland township, Worcester co., Mass., about 12 miles N.W. of Worcester, and 50 miles W. of Boston. It has a church, and manufactures of carriages, baskets, &c. Pop. of township (1890), 980.
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
Rutland, a post-village in Rutland township, Worcester co., Mass., about 12 miles N.W. of Worcester, and 50 miles W. of Boston. It has a church, and manufactures of carriages, baskets, &c. Pop. of township (1890), 980.
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
1898 - Old Rutland, Massachusetts - The Cradle of Ohio by Edwin D. Mead
The Old South Historical Society in Boston inaugurated in 1896 the custom of annual historical pilgrimages. It had learned from Parkman and Motley and Irving how vital and vivid history is made by visits to the scenes of history. Its pilgrimages must be short to places near home; but the good places to visit in New England are many. Great numbers of people, young and old, join in the pilgrimages. Six hundred went to the beautiful Whittier places beside the Merrimac, the second year; and as many the third year to the King Philip country, on Narragansett Bay.
The first year's pilgrimage was to old Rutland, Massachusetts, "the cradle of Ohio." A hundred of the young people went on the train from Boston, on that bright July day; and when they had climbed to the little village on the hill, and swept their eyes over the great expanse of country round about Wachusett and away to Monadnock, and strolled down to the old Rufus Putnam house, by whose fireside the settlement of Marietta was... Read MORE...
The Old South Historical Society in Boston inaugurated in 1896 the custom of annual historical pilgrimages. It had learned from Parkman and Motley and Irving how vital and vivid history is made by visits to the scenes of history. Its pilgrimages must be short to places near home; but the good places to visit in New England are many. Great numbers of people, young and old, join in the pilgrimages. Six hundred went to the beautiful Whittier places beside the Merrimac, the second year; and as many the third year to the King Philip country, on Narragansett Bay.
The first year's pilgrimage was to old Rutland, Massachusetts, "the cradle of Ohio." A hundred of the young people went on the train from Boston, on that bright July day; and when they had climbed to the little village on the hill, and swept their eyes over the great expanse of country round about Wachusett and away to Monadnock, and strolled down to the old Rufus Putnam house, by whose fireside the settlement of Marietta was... Read MORE...
1906
Rutland, a post-village in Rutland township (town), Worcester co., Mass., 12 miles NW. of Worcester, on the Boston and Maine R. A state hospital for tubercular patients is located in the town. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1334.
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
Rutland, a post-village in Rutland township (town), Worcester co., Mass., 12 miles NW. of Worcester, on the Boston and Maine R. A state hospital for tubercular patients is located in the town. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1334.
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
2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Rutland:
Rutland State Park:
Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and picnicking in this scenic state park.
Whitehall Pond:
Relax by the pond, go fishing, or take a peaceful stroll around the area.
Central Tree Middle School Playground:
A great spot for families with kids, offering a playground and open space for recreation.
Memorial Field:
A community park with sports fields, a playground, and space for various outdoor activities.
Countryside Golf Course:
Golf enthusiasts can tee off at this 18-hole course surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
Historical Society of Rutland:
Explore local history at the Historical Society, which may feature exhibits, artifacts, and information about Rutland's past.
Rutland Heights Hospital Cemetery:
Discover the history of Rutland at this cemetery, which has ties to the former Rutland Heights Hospital.
Carter & Stevens Farm:
Visit this working farm for fresh produce, seasonal events, and a taste of rural... Read MORE...
Rutland State Park:
Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and picnicking in this scenic state park.
Whitehall Pond:
Relax by the pond, go fishing, or take a peaceful stroll around the area.
Central Tree Middle School Playground:
A great spot for families with kids, offering a playground and open space for recreation.
Memorial Field:
A community park with sports fields, a playground, and space for various outdoor activities.
Countryside Golf Course:
Golf enthusiasts can tee off at this 18-hole course surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
Historical Society of Rutland:
Explore local history at the Historical Society, which may feature exhibits, artifacts, and information about Rutland's past.
Rutland Heights Hospital Cemetery:
Discover the history of Rutland at this cemetery, which has ties to the former Rutland Heights Hospital.
Carter & Stevens Farm:
Visit this working farm for fresh produce, seasonal events, and a taste of rural... Read MORE...
Our Rutland Gift Ideas
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