Marlborough #42: Central MA’s Best Communities

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

Marlborough

The “second most important bell in American history,” after the Liberty Bell, hangs at the corner of Main Street and Route 85 in #42 ranked Marlborough. The bell, which dates to the Civil War, and is alleged to be from a firehouse in Harpers Ferry, WV, where it was stolen from a firehouse following the John Brown raid. Before the city took it to used, the bell was hidden for 30 years, as it was rumored to have been stolen during the war.

Today the city is a thriving mix of business and industry, and is ideally located at the junction of Routes 20, 290 and 492. It is home to a golf course, running trails and several parks. Several Olympic skaters including Ilia Kulik, Evgeny Platov, and Pasha Grishuk.have trained at the New England Sports Center.

In the bottom third for economic condition (#67), affordability (#66), and education (#53), Marlborough's diverse selection of dining establishments earns it a #2 rank in the restaurant category.

Marlborough by the numbers

Established: 1660
Population: 38,499
Median household income: $71,617
Median housing price: $244,750

2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 42
Affordability ranking: 66
Education ranking: 53
Economic condition ranking: 67
Safety ranking: 45
Arts & Culture ranking: 35
Restaurants ranking: 2

History in a nutshell:

Marlborough evolved from a Native American trading post to a small colonial town to an Indian Praying Ground--a place in which Native Americans were converted to Christianity--to an industrial city. The first settlers in Marlborough, arriving 1657, spoke Algonquin and traded and protected the neighboring Native American tribes. The town groups coexisted until the notorious King Philip's War in which the colonists defeated the Native Americans and then became concerned with converting the tribe. When the Industrial Revolution began in New England, Marlborough became a manufacturing city, specializing on shoe production, which continued long after many other New England towns discontinued their manufacturing. With the turn of the century Marlborough once again advanced into a modern technological city by the late 20th century.

Famous residents:

Horatio Alger Jr., Author
Mike Burns, Olympian and World Cup soccer player
Bobby Butler, NHL athlete
Marcia Cross, Actress in Desperate Housewives
Ken Reynolds, MLB athlete
John Patrick Treacy, Bishop
John Rock, Scientist who co-developed the first effective oral contraceptive

Notable residents source: Wikipedia
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton