History of Charlton, Massachusetts, USA

1735 - Charlton is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1755 - Charlton set off from Oxford

www.oxford300.com/ oxford_history.aspx

1839 - Charlton
Charlton, Massachusetts
Worcester county. Charlton was set off from Oxford, 1754. It lies 53 miles S.W. from Boston and 12 W.N.W. from Worcester. Population, 1837, 2,469. There is a cotton mill in this town, and some manufactures of leather and shoes.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - CHARLTON. [Pop. 2,117. Inc. 1754]
Charlton once included a part of Soutlibridge, and with it belonged
to Oxford.

This is an agricultural town, and well watered by several sources of Quinebaug river.

Distance from Worcester, 14 miles; from Boston, 53
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1848 - Charlton
This town originally belonged to Oxford, of which it formed the western part. it was incorporated in 1754. The lands of this township were at first thought of very little value, being rough and hard of cultivation, and settlement at first proceeded slowly. However, in 1761 the place was so well settled that a church was organized, and Rev. Caleb Curtiss ordained pastor. He was dismissed in 1776. After an interval of six years, in 1783, Rev. Archibald Campbell was installed over the church, and continued pastor till 1793, when he was dismissed. The following ministers have been his successors: Erastus Larned, settled in 1796; Edw’d Whipple, 1804; John Wilder, 1827; William H. Whittemore. 1833; and Isaac R. Barbour, settled in 1836.

The above is a north-eastern view of the central part of Charlton, showing the Universalist and Congregationalist churches, and some other buildings in the vicinity. The village consists of about 15 dwelling houses, on an elevated situation. Charlton is... Read MORE...

1854 - Charlton / Charlton Depot
Charlton, a post-township in Worcester county, Massachusetts, about 12 miles 8. W. from Worcester. Population, 2052.

Charlton Depot, a post-office of Worcester county, Massachusetts.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1859
CHARLTON, a township of Worcester co., in the state of Massachusetts, U.S., 53 m. WSW of Boston. Its surface is hilly, but its soil is generally fertile. Pop. in 1840, 2,117.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1875 - A Fast Train Accident.
A remarkable accident occurred to a passenger on the fast train from Boston on Monday. The Springfield Union says that soon after the train passed Charlton, he attempted to go from one car to another, and the terrible wind actually blew him from the platform. The horrified brakeman who saw the man go overboard like a leaf in the gale, immediately pulled the signal cord and the train was stopped, after running about an eighth of a mile. The brakeman sprang from the rear car and ran down the track with a red flag when, wonderful to tell, he met the man running to overtake the train and apparently chiefly troubled lest the passengers should be inconvenienced by the detention. He got on at the rear of the train and made his way quickly to the seat which he had left, and sat quietly down. His wife turned to him and remarked: "Why, they say a man was blown from the train just now," "Is that so?" said he. Presently a number of interested passengers who had followed him to his place, asked so ... Read MORE...

Charlton Massachusetts, 1890
Charlton is a large, pleasant, agricultural town, situated in the southwesterly part of Worcester County, 57 miles from Boston, on the Boston and Albany Railroad, which passes through the northern part. It is bounded on the north by Spencer and Leicester, east by Oxford, south by Dudley, southwest by Southbridge, and west by Sturbridge.

The land is elevated and somewhat rough and rocky. The railroad station in this town is said to be at the highest grade between Boston and Springfield. It is 512 feet above low tide. Charlton Summit, about one fourth of a mile east of the station, is 907 feet above half or mean tide at Boston. Muggett Hill, near Charlton Centre, is 1,012 feet high; and from its summit may be seen, it is said, four States and nineteen villages. The scenery of the whole town is varied and romantic. Traces of the old "Bay Path," so beautifully described by Dr. J. G. Holland in his romance of that name, are still discernible. The streams — of which the principal are... Read MORE...

1895 - Charlton
Charlton, a post-hamlet of Worcester co, Mass., in Charlton township, 16 miles S.W. of Worcester, and 3 miles S. of the Boston & Albany Railroad. It has 3 churches, a public school, a saw-mill, a grist-mill, and manufactures of satinet, lumber, packing-boxes, shoddy, and wire. Pop. of the township, 1847.

Charlton City, a post-hamlet of Worcester co., Mass., in Charlton township, 2 miles S. of Charlton Depot. It has 2 churches, a common school, and manufactures of woollen goods, satinet, and wire. Pop. 600.

Charlton Depot, a post-hamlet of Worcester co., Mass., in Charlton township, on the Boston & Albany Rail road, 57 miles W. by S. of Boston.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1905 - LEFT THE RAILS. TWO PERSONS KILLED AND THIRTEEN INJURED IN A TROLLEY WRECK. OLD HOME DANCE IN A MASSACHUSETTS TOWN ENDED IN DISASTER FOR PARTICIPANTS.
Charlton, Mass., Sept. 5. - Two persons were killed and thirteen injured, three or four probably fatally, as the result of a trolley car on the Worcester and South Bridge street railway system leaving the rails and crashing into a tree a mile east of this village early today.

The dead:
MISS GRACE NELSON, Springfield, 20 years old.
MISS MORAN.

The car was taking to Worcester a party of people who had been attending an "old home" dance in Charlton and was running at a high rate of speed. MISS NELSON was thrown through a window and was buried beneath the car which was overturned.

The injured were taken to a hospital at Worcester.
Lima Daily News
Lima, Ohio
September 5, 1905

1916
Charlton, a post-village of Worcester co., Mass., in Charlton township (town), 16 miles SW. of Worcester and 3 miles S. of the Boston and Albany R. Pop. about 475 ; of the town in 1900, 1860.

Charlton City, a post-village of Worcester co., Mass., in Charlton township (town), 2 miles S. of Charlton Depot. It has manufactures of woollen goods, satinet, etc. Pop. about 680.

Charlton Depot, a post-village of Worcester co., Mass., in Charlton township (town), on the Boston and Albany R., 57 miles W. by S. of Boston. Pop. about 400.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1938 - SEVEN KILLED AT CHARLTON AS BUS AND TRUCK COLLIDE. TWO OF MANY INJURED IN PASSENGER VEHICLE MAY DIE - MACHINES, ONE HAULING STEAMSHOVEL, MEET HEAD-ON.
Charlton, Sept. 13 (INS) - Head-on collision between a bus bound from New York to Boston, and a big trailer truck brought death today to seven persons and sent 14 to the hospital, four injured critically.

The collision was so violent the motor of the truck was ripped out, both front wheels were torn off at the hubs and the front axle stripped from the chassis. The trailer was overturned. The right side of the bus was demolished.

The dead were:
ALBERT ROSCOE, 62, and MRS. BLANCHE ROSCOE, 68, his wife, of Medford.
MRS. MARY HOGAN, 65, Boston.
DAVID J. COHEN, Boston.
MRS. MARY SUMMERS, Boston.
Unidentified woman.
HENRY KOEHLER, 34, Elberta, Ala.
Critically injured, taken to Harrington Memorial hospital in Southbridge, were:
LOUIS FONTE, Atlantic City, N.J.
ALEX COHEN, Bronx, N.Y.
HENRY BROWN, Hanover, N.H., driver of the truck.

Survivors said a bus breakdown at Mamaroneck, N.Y., delayed them an hour and a half and the accident occurred at the time the bus was due in... Read MORE...

Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in and around Charlton:
Buffumville Lake: Start your visit to Charlton with some outdoor adventure at Buffumville Lake. This 200-acre reservoir offers boating, fishing, hiking trails, and a beach area for swimming. It's a perfect spot for picnicking, birdwatching, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Tree House Brewing Company: Craft beer enthusiasts will want to check out Tree House Brewing Company. Known for its fantastic IPAs and other beer offerings, this brewery is a popular spot for both locals and visitors. They often have food trucks on-site, making it a great place to relax and enjoy some unique brews.

Westville Recreation Area: This 139-acre park is perfect for outdoor activities. It has sports fields, a playground, and several trails for hiking and mountain biking. It's a great place for families to enjoy a day outdoors.

Charlton Orchards: If you're visiting Charlton in the fall, make sure to stop by Charlton Orchards. You can pick your own apples, enjoy freshly baked goods, and... Read MORE...