Why our insurance agency loves Marlborough!

Marlborough, Massachusetts is a city of 38,000 people located approximately 30 minutes west of Boston. This unique community combines 21^st century industry with tree-lined ridges ponds, and quiet residential neighborhoods. From its earliest days, the location of this city has made it a popular place for industry, commerce, and political movements to grow, while fostering a close-knit residential community.

Marlborough is located near several major roads including the Massachusetts Turnpike, Route 495, Route 290, and Route 20. This provides abundant access to all areas of the state, a feature that has attracted many to the city. The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) provides bus service to several local towns, where residents can then connect to the MBTA routes to travel into Boston.

Covering 22.2 square miles, Marlborough combines suburban living with the amenities of a larger city. The city is home to several lakes including Lake Williams, Milham Reservoir, and Fort Meadow Reservoir. It is surround by towns including Berlin, Hudson, Sudbury, Northborough, Southborough, and Framingham.

History

Marlborough was first inhabited by English settlers in the 1650s, when families from nearby Sudbury began moving west. They named the village after the town in England, and it was incorporated in 1660. Here they lived peacefully with the Praying Indian groups until King Philip’s War in 1676. Due to its central location, the town became a popular overnight stop for travelers, including George Washington.

In 1836, Samuel Boyd, “father of the city” opened a shoe manufacturing business here, beginning a new era. As industry and population boomed, the town soon became a city in 1890. It was the first city in the country to receive a charter to build a streetcar system, providing access to Milford and Concord. Attracted to the growing industries, residents soon started flocking to Marlborough from across Massachusetts, as well as Canada, Ireland, Italy, and Greece.

Industry and Commerce

Marlborough is a major industrial city in eastern Massachusetts with a long history of commercial success. Starting with Boyd’s shoe manufacturing plant in 1836, shoes became a major product and symbol of the city. While it soon petered out in other Massachusetts communities, the shoe industry remained strong in Marlborough with Rice and Hutchins operating until 1929, Frye boots until the 1970s, and the Rockport Company still operating an outlet there today.

As the major highways in the area were built, Marlborough found itself at the crossroads. With a focus on economic development through the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation, the city began attracting high-tech and 21^st century business leaders. Some of the many businesses that have found a home here include:

• TJX
• Raytheon
• Hewlett-Packard
• Boston Scientific
• AT&T
• Apple
• Quest Diagnostics
• Lucent Technologies
• Fidelity Investments

In addition to these companies, many small restaurants, businesses, and others have found a place here. The community also has quality recreational facilities, bike trails, beaches, and ponds.

Marlborough, MA is a city that has struck a balance between thriving high-tech industry and community living. With countless opportunities and easy access to other parts of the state and New England region, this bustling city is moving into the future while honoring its historic past.