Hudson #57: Central MA’s Best Communities

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Monday, June 25, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

Once the home to 17 shoe factories, Hudson is a thriving blend of commercial and residential establishments.  Many older Victorian-era homes remain, and the town recently completed a restoration project in the downtown business area with brick-lined sidewalks, tree plantings and reproduction gaslight streetlights.  This project has had a major aesthetic impact on the downtown district which is home to community events like the Halloween stroll.

The town boasts a new high school that was constructed in 2004, and is currently in the process of building a new middle school that will serve grades 5 to 8.  

Established: 1866
Population: 19,063
Median household income: $74,983
Median housing price: $228,750

2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 57
Affordability ranking: 59
Education ranking: 46
Economic condition ranking: 66
Safety ranking: 26
Arts & Culture ranking: 33

History in a nutshell:

Originally a part of the Plantation for the Praying Indians, the Native Americans were evicted from the land during King Philip's War. When it received incorporation in 1866, the town of Hudson had begun to develop larger factories, most predominately of shoes. In 1894 the town faced disaster when two boys playing with firecrackers burnt down 40 buildings. After the town was rebuilt, it and its industry continued to grow, especially fueled by the influx of immigrants.

Famous residents:  

Paul Cellucci, Former Governor of Mass
Charles Precourt, Astronaut
Wilbert Robinson, MLB player
Thomas Salmon, Former Governor of Vermont
William Sullivan, Former Head of FBI Intelligence Operations
 

Notable residents source: Wikipedia 
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton

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