Petersham #43: Central MA’s Best Communities

Email to a friend Permalink

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

One of the smallest towns in Worcester County, #42 ranked Petersham is home to more than half a dozen farms, where consumers can purchase grass fed beef, eggs, vegetables, fruits and alpaca wool.

The town sits on the shores of the Quabbin Reservoir, which draws many tourists to town for fishing, boating and bird watching.  The Petersham Curling Club, a sport most frequently associated with the Winter Olympics runs curling leagues and lessons to the public.  
 
Petersham's #42 ranking is brought up by its educational rank of #33; the town ranks in the bottom third for economic condition (#53), restaurants (#57) and safety (#58).

Established: 1754
Population: 1234
Median household income: $62,411
Median housing price: $190,000

2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 42
Affordability ranking: 46 
Education ranking: 33
Economic condition ranking: 53
Safety ranking: 58
Arts & Culture ranking: 43
Restaurant ranking: 57

History in a nutshell:

Settled in 1733, it is the site of the second battle of Shays' Rebellion. On February 4, 1787 Massachusetts' Revolutionary veteran, Daniel Shays, led a militia against the United States government because of the government's tax system. These series of rebellions prompted the formation of the Articles of Confederatio

Famous residents:  

Lewis Bigelow, Congressman
Yodelin' Slim Clark, Musician
Emmeline B. Wells, Journalist and activist 

Notable residents source: Wikipedia 
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton

Related Articles

• Ware #71: Central MA’s Best Communities
• West Brookfield #63: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Gardner #55: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Leicester #47: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Milford #38: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Webster #70: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Clinton #62: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Warren #54: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Berlin #45: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Uxbridge #37: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Southbridge #69: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Athol #61: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Shirley #53: Central MA’s Best Communities
• East Brookfield #44: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Fitchburg #68: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Palmer #60: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Douglas #52: Central MA Best Communities
• Petersham #43: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Spencer #67: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Ashby #59: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Blackstone #51: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Marlborough #42: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Massachusetts’ Best Communities 2012
• Ayer #66: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Brookfield #58: Central MA’s Best Communities
• North Brookfield #50: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Auburn #41: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Central MA Best Communities 2012: How We Got the Numbers
• Winchendon #65: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Hudson #57: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Holland #49: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Millville #40: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Royalston #72: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Oxford #64: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Northbridge #56: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Orange #48: Central MA’s Best Communities
• Millbury #39: Central MA’s Best Communities

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Email to a friend Permalink