Town Profile
The Town of Ashland's ideal location midway between Boston and Worcester provides easy access to the interstate highway system and the Massachusetts Turnpike. Ashland was, in earlier times, a stopping point on a major Indian trail which later became known as the Bay Path, connecting Cambridge and Connecticut. It was here that a community of Natick Indians was established as the Village of Magunkaquog in about 1659. Once the original starting point of the world famous Boston Marathon, which still runs through Ashland, the town is also known as the site of Henry Warren's invention of the electric clock, later manufactured here under the Telechron name.
Ashland, although predominantly residential, is committed to a close working relationship with its business community. Businesses, residents and visitors look forward to "Ashland Day", a not-to-be-missed annual celebration of traditional New England spirit.
Geography
Eastern Massachusetts, bordered by Sherborn on the east, Framingham on the north, Southborough on the west and northwest, and Hopkinton and Holliston on the south. Ashland is 20 miles east of Worcester, 22 miles west of Boston, and 191 miles from New York City.
- Total Area: 12.93 sq. miles
- Land Area: 12.45 sq. miles
- Population: 12,066
- Density: 969 per sq. mile
Government
Municipal Offices Main Number: (508) 881-0100
Form of Government; Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Open Town Meeting. Incorporated as a town in 1846.
Museums
- Ashland Historical Society
2 Myrtle Street
(508) 881-8183
Transportation and Access
Ashland is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air, and highway facilities. State Route 128 and Interstate Route 495 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.
Major Highways
Principal highways are State Routes 126 and 135. The Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate 90, is easily accessible in the neighboring town of Framingham.
Rail
Commuter rail service to Back Bay Station and South Station, Boston, is available from Framingham. Travel time to BBS: 42-45 min.; 121 MBTA parking spaces available. Freight rail service is available from Conrail. Contact number: (617) 783-6222.
Bus
Ashland is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). LIFT offers hourly bus service between Ashland, Framingham and Hopkinton.
Other
The Worcester Municipal Airport, a Primary Commercial (PR) facility with scheduled passenger service, is easily accessible. It has 2 asphalt runways 5,500' and 6,999' long. Instrument approaches available: Precision and non-precision.
