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Worcester's
settlement occurred during a violent time, when the local Nipmuck
Indians joined Massasoit's son King Philip to drive out the English colonists who strayed into the wilderness. Even though the colonist had a deed for 8 square miles, called Quinsigamond Plantation, paid for with "twelve pounds of lawful money" with two coats and some cloth thrown in for extra measure - and duly signed by Sagamore John and Sagamore Solomon of the Nipmucks.When the Indians discovered that the settlers did not intend to share the land, they forced the English to leave. The first settlement near Lake Quinsigamond was driven back and the second abandoned to other Indians 16 years later. When the third settlement was permanently established in 1713, it grew quickly because it was a convenient distance from Boston on the route to the west. Being in the middle of the state, it became a busy center in the stagecoach transportation system, crowded with inns, hotels and stables. Then in the early 1880's when the Blackstone Canal and then the railroads came to Worcester,the town became a thriving industrial center as goods could easily move in and out. Worcester became a town in 1722, and was incorporated as a city in 1848, but the political distinction has never really made much difference to Worcesterites. Because of its neighborhood structure and also the traditional philanthropy of its leaders,Worcester has remained a town of neighbors caring about each other. For information about important events in Worcester's history and about people who helped the town grow, you have many resources. The Worcester Historical Museum has exhibits and a library. The Worcester Heritage Preservation Society has publications and historic tours of Worcester. The Worcester Public Library has a Worcester Room. Today Worcester has a unique mixture of life-styles, from cosmopolitan to small ethnic-dominated cultures. It has widely diversified industries, one of the finest art museums in the country, and five major colleges. It has variety and stability, continuity and change; an interesting history, and a promising future; a growing metropolitan appearance and a small town hominess. To find out more about the
history of Worcester
Massachusetts
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