Mendon #18: Central MA’s Best Communities

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Thursday, June 28, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

Mendon 

Mendon is the 18th Best Community in Central Mass.  In the early 20th century, Lake Nipmuc Park was a popular resort in Mendon that featured leading musical talent. Massachusetts's largest zoo, Southwick's Zoo, is located in Mendon. Mendon is also home to Twin Drive-In, one of only three drive-in theaters in Massachusetts. Today, Mendon serves primarily as a commuter town but recently there has been significant commercial development along Route 16.  

Mendon ranks 7th for economic condition, 13th for educational achievement, and 15th for safety.  The town's ranking is pulled down by its 61st place ranking for arts and culture and its 43rd place rank for affordability.  
 

Mendon by the numbers

Established: 1667
Population: 5839
Median household income:$102,625
Median housing price: $306,551

2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 18
Affordability ranking: 43
Education ranking: 13
Economic condition ranking: 7
Safety ranking: 15
Arts & Culture ranking: 61
Restaurant ranking: 33

History in a nutshell:

The town of Mendon was nicknamed "Mother Mendon" because it was originally 64 square miles, including the towns of Milford, Bellingham, Hopedale, Uxbridge, Upton, Blackstone, Northbridge and Millville. Mendon is also the home of America's first legal woman voter--Lydia Chapin Taft. The town was at the forefront of American industrialization and has been officially recognized since 1986 as part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.
 

Famous residents:  

Ezra T Benson, Mormon pioneer
Alexander Scammel, Revolutionary War officer
Lydia Taft, First US female voter
Eli Thayer, Abolitionist Congressman
 

Famous residents source: Wikipedia
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton

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