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Sudbury, Massachusetts

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Sudbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 18,934.[1] The town, located in Greater Boston's MetroWest region, has a colonial history.

Sudbury, Massachusetts
Town
Wayside Inn
Wayside Inn
Official seal of Sudbury, Massachusetts
Seal
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°23′N 71°25′W / 42.383°N 71.417°W / 42.383; -71.417
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountyMiddlesex
Settled1638
Incorporated1639
Government
 • TypeOpen town meeting
Area
 • Total
24.6 sq mi (63.8 km2)
 • Land24.4 sq mi (63.1 km2)
 • Water0.3 sq mi (0.7 km2)
Elevation
190 ft (58 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
18,934
 • Density770/sq mi (300/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code
01776
Area code351 / 978
FIPS code25-68260
GNIS feature ID0618237
Websitesudbury.ma.us

History

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Incorporated in 1639, the boundaries of Sudbury included (by 1653) what is now Wayland (which split off in 1780, initially as East Sudbury), and parts of present day Framingham, Marlborough, Stow and Maynard (the latter town splitting off in 1871).[2][3] Nipmuc Indians lived in what is now Sudbury, including Tantamous, a medicine man, and his son Peter Jethro, who deeded a large parcel of land to Sudbury for settlement in 1684.[4]

The original town center and meetinghouse were located near the Sudbury River at what is now known as Wayland's North Cemetery.[5] For the residents on the west side of the river, it was a treacherous passage in the winter and attendance at both worship services and Town Meetings was compulsory.[6][7] In 1723 the West Parish meetinghouse was built west of the river at an area known as Rocky Plains (presently the Town Center). It served as a place for both worship and Town Meetings.[8] The church and town separated in 1836 and a new Town House was built in 1846.[9] Since then, the Sudbury Center Historic District has changed little, with the exception of the Town Hall, built in 1932 to replace the Town House, which burnt down in 1930.

Sudbury also contributed the most militia during King Philip's War and was the site of the well-known attack on Sudbury.[4] Ephraim Curtis was a successful leader of the militia of West Sudbury and would lend his name to the town's junior high school.[10][11]: 24–75  Sudbury militiamen participated in the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, where they sniped at British Army troops returning to Boston.

One of Sudbury's historic landmarks, the Wayside Inn, claims to be the country's oldest operating inn, built and run by the Howe family for many generations. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote Tales of a Wayside Inn, a book of poems published in 1863. In the book, the poem The Landlord's Tale was the source of the immortal phrase "listen my children and you shall hear, of the midnight ride of Paul Revere." Henry Ford bought the inn in 1923, restored it and donated it to a charitable foundation which continues to run it as an operating inn to this day. Ford also built a boys' school on the property, as well as a grist mill, and the Martha-Mary Chapel. He brought in the Redstone Schoolhouse from Sterling, which was reputed to be the school in Sarah Josepha Hale's nursery rhyme Mary Had a Little Lamb.[12][13] However, Giuseppi Cavicchio's refusal to sell his water rights scuttled Henry Ford's plans to build an auto parts factory at the site of Charles O. Parmenter's mill in South Sudbury.[14]

In August 1925, a Sudbury farm was the scene of a riot between local members of the Ku Klux Klan and Irish-American youths from the area. Five people were wounded by gunshots, and the State Police arrested over 100 Klansmen. Massachusetts officials cracked down on the group's meetings thereafter, and the Klan died out in the area.[14]

In the period after World War II, Sudbury experienced rapid growth in population and industry. Defense contractor Raytheon was a significant employer, operating a large research facility in Sudbury from 1958 until 2016. Another major employer in that period was Sperry Rand. In the 1970s, the town was home to many of the engineers working in the minicomputer revolution at Digital Equipment Corporation in nearby Maynard. Sudbury was also one of the largest carnation-growing towns, with many greenhouse operations.

From 1960–1969, Sudbury challenged and prevailed against a proposal by Boston Edison Company that would have installed overhead transmission lines through what is now Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Ultimately, the line was instead buried under streets to Maynard.[15] From 2017–2023, Sudbury challenged a proposal by Eversource to install buried transmission lines under the former Massachusetts Central Railroad right of way from Sudbury to Hudson now owned by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] None of these lawsuits were found to have merit, and the buried transmission lines were installed by 2024, which also subsidized the majority of the cost and construction of a section of the Mass Central Rail Trail—Wayside, to be completed in 2025.

Residentially, Sudbury's 1-acre (4,000 m2) zoning bylaws helped the town maintain a more rural character through the 1970s and 1980s when developments of single-family Colonials and large Capes established it as an affluent location. Economic growth was restricted to the town's main thoroughfare, US Route 20. Significant tracts of open space—including much wetland—were preserved in the northern half of town and along the Hop Brook corridor flowing from the Wayside Inn Historic District in the southwest part of town through the King Philip Historic District (the site of a conflict in King Philip's War) and into the Sudbury River at the southeast border with Wayland. A significant portion of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge (opened in 2005) is located in Sudbury.

Geography

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Sudbury in 1856

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.6 square miles (64 km2), of which 24.4 square miles (63 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), or 1.06%, is water. The highest point in Sudbury is on the north slope of Nobscot Hill, and the highest summit is Tippling Rock.[25]

In 1650, the town included Sudbury as well as most of Wayland and Maynard.[26]

Demographics

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See also: List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income
Historical population
YearPop.±%
17901,290—    
18001,303+1.0%
18101,287−1.2%
18201,417+10.1%
18301,423+0.4%
18401,422−0.1%
18501,578+11.0%
18601,691+7.2%
18702,091+23.7%
18801,178−43.7%
18901,197+1.6%
19001,150−3.9%
19101,120−2.6%
19201,121+0.1%
19301,182+5.4%
19401,754+48.4%
19502,596+48.0%
19607,447+186.9%
197013,506+81.4%
198014,027+3.9%
199014,358+2.4%
200016,841+17.3%
201017,659+4.9%
202018,934+7.2%
2023*19,394+2.4%
* population 1850–2010
Source: United States census records and Population Estimates Program data.[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] * population 1790–1840 Source: Map Of Massachusetts[37][38]

As of the census[39] of 2000, there were 16,841 people, 5,504 households, and 4,749 families residing in the town. The population density was 691.1 inhabitants per square mile (266.8/km2). There were 5,590 housing units at an average density of 229.4 per square mile (88.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.23% White, 0.80% African American, 0.03% Native American, 3.72% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population. An update in the town's census[40] recorded the population at 18,192 as of October 6, 2015.

There were 5,504 households, out of which 51.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.5% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.7% were non-families. 11.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.5% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $151,041, and the median income for a family was $222,008. Males had a median income of $148,593 versus $47,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $75,865. About 2.1% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

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Sudbury's First Parish Church

The First Parish of Sudbury gathered in 1640 east of the Sudbury River (present day Wayland). "East parish" (now First Parish of Wayland) moved its present site and "West parish" moved to the present site, called Rocky Plains (now Sudbury town center), upon Rev. Israel Loring first preaching there May 6, 1722.[41] The historic meeting house was built in 1797, replacing the original 1723 structure. First Parish became Unitarian in the local schism of 1837 and is now Unitarian Universalist.[42][43]

Government

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State and federal government

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On the federal level, Precincts 1A, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Sudbury are part of Massachusetts's 5th congressional district, represented by Katherine Clark. Precinct 1 is part of Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district, represented by Lori Trahan. The state's senior (Class I) member of the United States Senate is Elizabeth Warren. The junior (Class II) senator is Ed Markey.

Education

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Sudbury students in kindergarten through eighth grade attend Sudbury Public Schools, with high school students attending schools in the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School District,[44] which was established in 1954, integrating the former Sudbury High School with that of the nearby town of Lincoln.

In June 2002, the towns of Lincoln and Sudbury began a $74 million project to build a new high school near the site of the original building. The shared Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (LSRHS) is in Sudbury.

There are four elementary schools in Sudbury and one middle school. The four elementary schools are:

  • Josiah Haynes Elementary School
  • Israel Loring Elementary School
  • General John Nixon Elementary School
  • Peter Noyes Elementary School

The middle school is:

  • Ephraim Curtis Middle School

Sudbury has two former elementary schools that were converted to other uses:

Notable people

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Sudbury town, Middlesex County, Massachusetts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  2. ^ "Historical Maps of Sudbury". Sudbury Massachusetts town website. Town of Sudbury, MA. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  3. ^ Mark, David A. (2014). Hidden History of Maynard. The History Press. pp. 11–18. ISBN 978-1-62619-541-7.
  4. ^ a b Gutteridge, William H. (1921). A Brief History of the Town of Maynard, Massachusetts. Maynard, MA: Town of Maynard, p. 13-16
  5. ^ Sudbury Historical Society. "A Brief History of the Town of Sudbury, Massachusetts". Sudbury Historical Society. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  6. ^ Hudson, Alfred Soreno (1889). The History of Sudbury, Massachusetts. 1638-1889. Sudbury, MA: The Town of Sudbury. p. 288.
  7. ^ Zimmerman, Joseph Francis (1999). The New England Town Meeting. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. pp. 18, 23. ISBN 0275965236.
  8. ^ The History of Sudbury, Massachusetts, 1638-1889. p. 293.
  9. ^ The History of Sudbury, Massachusetts, 1638-1889. p. 476.
  10. ^ "King Philip's War and The Sudbury Fight".
  11. ^ Powers, John Christopher (1988). We shall not tamely give it up. Privately printed, available from Sudbury Historical Society. ASIN B0006ESFZW. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
  12. ^ Roulstone, John; Mary (Sawyer) (1928). The Story of Mary's Little Lamb. Dearborn: Mr. & Mrs. Henry Ford. p. 8.
  13. ^ "About America's Oldest Inn," Longfellow's Wayside Inn Web site (http://www.wayside.org/about), Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  14. ^ a b Garfield, Curtis F (1999). Sudbury, 1890–1989 100 Years in the Life of a Town. Porcupine Enterprises. ISBN 0-9621976-3-7.
  15. ^ "Sudbury, 1890–1989, 100 years in the Life of a Town (Chapter 21) » Informational – Historic Articles". sudbury.ma.us. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  16. ^ Piper, Gordon H. (September 28, 2018). "Sudbury vs. Mass. Bay Transportation Authority, MISC 17-000562". Massachusetts Cases. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  17. ^ Lehan, Richard (March 15, 2019). "Recommended Final Decision on Motions to Dismiss for Lack of Standing and Motion to Intervene by Ten Citizen Group, Docket No. 2018-01-RL". Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  18. ^ Gants, Ralph D.; Lenk, Barbara A.; Gaziano, Frank M.; Lowy, David A.; Budd, Kimberly S.; Cypher, Elspeth B.; Kafker, Scott L. (September 22, 2020). "Sudbury vs. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, 485 Mass. 774". Massachusetts Cases. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  19. ^ Buckley, Elaine M. (July 27, 2021). "Memorandum of Decision and Order on Cross Motions for Judgement on the Pleadings, Docket No. 2084CV00151" (PDF). Town of Sudbury, Massachusetts. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  20. ^ Budd, Kimberly S.; Gaziano, Frank M.; Lowy, David A.; Cypher, Elspeth B.; Kafker, Scott L.; Wendlandt, Dalila Argaez; Georges Jr., Serge (June 25, 2021). "Sudbury vs. Energy Facilities Siting Board, 487 Mass. 737". Massachusetts Cases. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  21. ^ Fuchs, Patrick J.; Hedlund, Karen J.; Oberman, Martin J.; Primus, Robert E.; Schultz, Michelle A. (February 2, 2022). "Decision, Docket No. FD 36493, Protect Sudbury Inc. — Petition for Declaratory Order" (PDF). Surface Transportation Board. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  22. ^ Fuchs, Patrick J.; Hedlund, Karen J.; Oberman, Martin J.; Primus, Robert E.; Schultz, Michelle A. (December 12, 2022). "Decision, Docket No. FD 36623, Rail line Abutting Landowners—Verified Petition for Declaratory Order" (PDF). Surface Transportation Board. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  23. ^ LaHaise, Kevin (January 20, 2023). "Land Owners to Land Court: Mulligan, Please?". Sudbury Weekly. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  24. ^ LaHaise, Kevin (July 14, 2023). "Eversource Project: Land Court Case Voluntarily Dismissed". Sudbury Weekly. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  25. ^ "USGS GeoNames Detail for: Tippling Rock". Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  26. ^ "Town of Sudbury".
  27. ^ "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  28. ^ "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  29. ^ "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  30. ^ "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  31. ^ "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  32. ^ "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  33. ^ "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  34. ^ "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  35. ^ "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  36. ^ "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  37. ^ Borden, Simeon (1844). Map Of Massachusetts. Boston, MA: S. Borden.
  38. ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020−2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  39. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  40. ^ "Sudbury Community Profile | Sudbury". sudbury.ma.us. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  41. ^ Loring Journal
  42. ^ Hardenbergh, Jan. "First Parish of Sudbury: Our History". Retrieved May 9, 2009.
  43. ^ Harold and Betsey Cutler (1980). "History Booklet - Memorial Congregational Church of Sudbury, MA". Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  44. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Middlesex County, MA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 3 (PDF p. 4/4). Archived (PDF) from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2024. - Text list Archived 2022-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
  45. ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
  46. ^ http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=2442/index.html [dead link‍]
  47. ^ http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=2452/index.html [dead link‍]
  48. ^ "72nd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners". Television Academy.
  49. ^ "For Succession's Jeremy Strong, Acting Isn't About Having Fun". GQ. August 8, 2019.

References

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