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Grafton, MA

Frequently asked questions

Grafton, MA

Grafton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,664 at the 2020 census. The town consists of the North Grafton, Grafton, and South Grafton geographic areas, each with a separate ZIP Code. Incorporated in 1735, the town is home to a Nipmuc village known as Hassanamisco Reservation, the Willard House and Clock Museum, the Community Harvest Project, and the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Grafton operates the state's largest on-call fire department, with 74 members.

Bands of the Nipmuc tribe are the Indigenous inhabitants and maintain a state-recognized reservation known as Hassanamesit, or Hassanamisco, which was formerly a Praying Indian village from 1647 when the Reverend John Eliot came and converted the Hassanamiscos to Christianity. In 1727 the Hassanamesit reservation of 8,000 acres was divided into 7,500 acres to 40 English proprietors and 500 acres to 7 Nipmuc proprietors. This became Grafton, officially incorporated in 1735. Grafton stands tall in the industrialization of the Blackstone Valley. Its Northeast Village was once known as "New England Village". 

The town is named for Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton, a title created for the illegitimate son of King Charles II of England. Ethan Allen ran a gun factory in Grafton in the early 19th century. In the 1930s, a movie, Ah, Wilderness!, was filmed in the town. The moviemakers built a bandstand on the town common, which still stands there today. Grafton Common has many historic homes, churches, and buildings and is considered the quintessential common in the Blackstone Valley. The town is part of the  Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, the oldest industrialized region in the U.S.

North Grafton is the home of the Wyman Gordon Company. In 1955, the United States Air Force installed a 50,000-ton metal forge in North Grafton as part of its Heavy Press Program in a plant operated by Wyman-Gordon. It was the largest metal forge, and indeed the largest machine, in the world at the time it was built. This forge is used to form strategic metals used in commercial and military aircraft for turbine disks, shafts, blades, landing struts, and other aircraft parts where light weight and extreme strength are needed. The entire undercarriage of the Space Shuttles was forged in Grafton of magnesium.

From 1901 to 1973, North Grafton was home to the Grafton State Hospital. Originally an offshoot of the Worcester State Hospital, Grafton State Hospital served as a "farm colony" where chronically insane patients could live and work in somewhat normal surroundings. The campus was made up of several clusters of buildings and eventually encompassed 1,200 acres (490 ha) in Grafton, Shrewsbury, and Westborough. The hospital was closed in 1973, and the campus, including many of the original buildings, was taken over by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (part of Tufts University) and the Grafton Job Corps Center.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.3 square miles (60 km2), of which 22.7 square miles (59 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2), or 2.28%, is water. Grafton is located 40 miles (64 km) west of Boston and 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast of Worcester. Grafton includes North Grafton, Grafton, and South Grafton, as well as many other Industrial Revolution-era villages due to its long history on the Blackstone River, including Farnumsville, Fisherville, Saundersville, and Axtell Corner. The town borders Shrewsbury, Westborough, Upton, Northbridge, Sutton, Millbury, and the city of Worcester.

Grafton places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Saint Vincent Hospital offers a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Anytime Fitness is perfect for a comprehensive workout with its state-of-the-art equipment and personal training services. For fitness enthusiasts, KRAVE Fitness & Nutrition and The Barre Effect provide excellent group fitness classes. Those seeking a more holistic approach can visit Truth Organic Spa for a range of spa treatments and The Gentle Place for health retreats. High Caliber Fitness offers personalized training sessions for those looking to improve their physical fitness.
 

Top Sites in Grafton, MA: Highfields Golf & Country Club, Ridge Valley Stables, and Willard House & Clock Museum.
 

Population: 19,664 (2020). Elevation: 130 m. Area code: 508/774. Area: 23.3 square miles (60 km2). ZIP Code: 01519, 01536, 01560.
 

FAQs

What is Grafton, MA famous for?

The town consists of the North Grafton, Grafton, and South Grafton geographic areas, each with a separate ZIP Code. Incorporated in 1735, the town is home to a Nipmuc village known as Hassanamisco Reservation, the Willard House and Clock Museum, the Community Harvest Project, and the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Grafton operates the state's largest on-call fire department, with 74 members.

What is the crime rate in Grafton, MA?

With a crime rate for both violent and property crime combined of 2 per 1,000 residents, the crime rate in Grafton is one of the lower rates in America among communities of all sizes (lower than 90% of America's communities). One's chance of becoming a victim of crime in Grafton is one in 472. Compared to communities within Massachusetts, Grafton‘s crime rate is lower than nearly 92% of the state's cities and towns.

Is Grafton, MA a nice place to live?

Grafton is in Worcester County and is one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. Living in Grafton offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Grafton, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Grafton and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Grafton are highly rated.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Grafton

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Highfields Golf & Country Club 

Ridge Valley Stables 

Willard House & Clock Museum

Saint Vincent Hospital 

Anytime Fitness

KRAVE Fitness & Nutrition

The Barre Effect

Truth Organic Spa

The Gentle Place

High Caliber Fitness

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