Upton

History

Precolonial History Archeological evidence indicates that present-day Upton began to be inhabited by indigenous peoples during the late Archaic Period. The area was originally settled by Algonquin peoples, but was mainly inhabited by Nipmuc peoples by the Woodland Period. Four late Archaic settlements have been noted in the areas around Pratt Hill and Pratt Pond, two of which remained in use through the Woodland Period. Late Archaic peoples of New England lived nomadic or semi-nomadic lives, and it was unlikely the Archaic sites in present-day Upton were occupied year round; instead these were likely seasonally-occupied sites for activities such as hunting, fishing, or quarrying and tool making. Evidence of quarrying and tool making is present at one of the Pratt Hill sites. Upton was home to a number of members of the Taft family, including an American Revolutionary War soldier named Samuel Taft, who was born there. Samuel Taft had 22 children and hosted President George Washington on his inaugural tour of New England in 1789. Between 1730 and 1850, Upton had many small shoe shops, called ten–footers. These operations were gradually merged into large assembly-line manufacturing companies. By 1837, Upton produced 21.7% of the boots made in Worcester County. William Knowlton founded what was to become the world's largest women's hat factory: Knowlton Hat Factory was built in 1872 and added to the National Historic Register in 1982. The Upton Fire Department was incorporated at Town Meeting on April 9, 1839, and has served Upton and its residents for 175 years.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which are land and (0.97%) is water. The northwestern section of Upton, including the area surrounding Warren Brook, has become known as Forest Green by locals due to the lush rolling hills that can be seen from Fowler Street and Mechanic Street.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  24,569
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  24,337
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  23,057
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  21,631
• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  21,094
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  18,807
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  18,097
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  17,627

Largest nearby schools

• North High
  High · Worcester · 1,377 students · 16.2:1 ratio
• Milford High
  High · Milford · 1,324 students · 12.1:1 ratio
• Blackstone Valley
  High · Upton · 1,230 students · 11.5:1 ratio
• Algonquin Regional High
  High · Northborough · 1,213 students · 10.8:1 ratio
• Westborough High
  High · Westborough · 1,178 students · 13.1:1 ratio
• Stacy Middle
  Middle · Milford · 1,030 students · 11.6:1 ratio
• Northbridge Elementary School
  Elementary · Whitinsville · 953 students · 11.9:1 ratio
• Sherwood Middle School
  Middle · Shrewsbury · 948 students · 14.1:1 ratio

Most recent

• M 3.6 — 2020-11-08
  10 km S of Bliss Corner, Massachusetts
• M 2.7 — 2018-02-15
  0 km SE of East Kingston, New Hampshire
• M 2.6 — 2015-01-13
  2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut
• M 3.3 — 2015-01-12
  0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut
• M 2.5 — 2007-10-19
  2 km WSW of Littleton Common, Massachusetts
• M 2.5 — 2005-11-17
  4 km S of Plymouth, Massachusetts