Clinton, incorporated as a town in 1850, lies in central Massachusetts, straddling the valley of the south branch of the Nashua River and is the site of the Wachusett Reservoir, formed by damming the river in 1905 to provide drinking water for the City of Boston. Clinton's terrain was partly shaped by retreating glaciers which created the present landscape.

The town is 35 miles west of Boston, with a population of approximately 13,500 residents living within its seven square miles. The highways that cross the town - Routes 62, 70 and 110 along with nearby Interstates 190 and 495 - connect Clinton to the large cities of Worcester, 13 miles south and Fitchburg, 16 miles north.

The town developed primarily in the 19th century as a major center of textile manufacturing. Even today, the old impressive mill buildings remain and have been adapted to other manufacturing and residential purposes.

Though many homes were demolished with construction of the reservoir, some historic buildings remain. These include churches, public buildings and homes of prominent citizens. Horatio and Erastus Bigelow were mill owners who left an important legacy in the town and helped to shape it into what it is today. The brothers, whose crowning achievement was the development of the carpet loom, revolutionized industry in this once rural farming community. Their carpet mill is now office space and the former Bigelow Mechanics Institute is the Bigelow Free Library. Horatio Bigelow also donated the land for Central Park, bordered by Walnut, Chestnut, Union and Church Streets. The park features war memorials to the Civil War and the Spanish American War.

These sites as well as other landmarks are concentrated in a quaint historic district around the Common and can be enjoyed on a short walking tour.

Statistics

At a Glance Community Reports (via Mass.gov, Word, 111k)
Community Profile (via Mass.gov, Word, 78k)

Churches and Synagogues
Government

Utilities & Services

Electricity and gas to entire town
Private wells and sewers
Full-time police department
Full-time fire department and ambulance service
Curbside trash pickup and recycling center

Education

Pre-Kindergarten through Third: Clinton Elementary School
Fourth through Eighth: Clinton Middle School
Ninth through Twelfth: Clinton Senior High School
School Enrollment (2001): 2241 (Mass Rank= 152)
Classrooms On Internet: 98%; Students With Computers: 2.6%
Clinton Public Schools
Clinton Early Childhood Resource Center

Transportation

Principal highways are State Routes 62, 70, 110, I-190 and I-495
Freight rail service is available from Conrail and from the Springfield Terminal Railway; contact number for Conrail: 617-783-6222, contact number for the Springfield Terminal Railway: 978-663-1073
Worcester Regional Airport, a Primary Commercial (PR) facility with scheduled passenger service, is easily accessible.

Healthcare

Umass Memorial Clinton Hospital
Corcoran House Assisted Living