Almo
Kentucky
Town Of Sterling
Sterling was once part of the territory of the Nashaway Indians, at one time the most numerous and powerful tribe in Massachusetts. Owing to an abundance of lakes and streams, the land that is now Sterling was home to native Americans as far back as 7000 BC.
In 1643, the Nashaway Sachem, Nashawhonan, now known as Sholan, sold an 80 square mile tract of land to the founders of Lancaster. This land included the eastern portion of Sterling. In 1702, Tahanto, a nephew of Sholan, sold additional land which included both Waushacum Lakes and the western part of town. The first settlers lived around the Waushacum Lakes in the 1640's. The first permanent settler was Gamaliel Beaman of Lancaster, who in 1720 settled near the present day Beaman Road. By 1740 about 50 families had settled. In 1743, a meeting house, a school and a pound were built in the Center on three acres of land donated by the Sawyer family. The Town Common is a remnant of that land. Over 850 families lived in the town by 1764 which at that time was called Chocksett, "land of the foxes".
In 1781, Chocksett separated from Lancaster and was incorporated as Sterling, in honor of William Alexander, Lord Stirling, a Scottish lord who helped the colonists during the Revolutionary War.
Sterling was primarily an agricultural community. In addition, many residents engaged in cottage industries. Among these were the making of hats, needles, clocks, leather goods, shirts, chairs and pottery. Lack of sufficient water to power industrial equipment limited their growth and eventually caused many to move. The railroads came to town in the 1850's. Their coming opened up new markets for both agricultural products and manufactured goods.
Sterling has had its share of prominent residents and their names can be found in the street names and places in the town and among present residents. Lt. Joel Pratt was an aide to George Washington during the Revolution. Pratt's Junction was named in his honor. In 1828, Silas Lamson invented the curved snath for the scythe which improved harvesting of hay and grains. Silas Stuart invented a machine to make sewing machine needles in 1860. In 1863, Ebenezer Butterick developed dress patterns. Mary Sawyer whose pet lamb was the inspiration for the poem, "Mary Had a Little Lamb" was born in Sterling in 1806. A statue commemorating the lamb stands on the Town Common.
Many traditions still continue in Sterling. The annual Town Fair was first held on the Town Common as a farm showing in 1859. The Sterling Cadet Band first played during the Civil War.
Today the town retains much of its small town atmosphere, while its agricultural lands are giving way to residential and industrial development. For about 100 years, the population remained at 2,000. Since 1950, it has grown rapidly to over 8,000.
Recent News
Town Of Sterling - Plastic Bag Recycling Available
Help protect our environment! Recycle your plastic bags. NO paper. NO hard plastics. NO styrofoam. The collection bin is located at the front door, inside the Town Hall. All plastic must be clean, dry and free of food residue. Acceptable…
Read More »Town Of Sterling - Apply Now For A 2023 Scholarship Award
Click here for the 2023 Scholarship Application
Read More »Town Of Sterling - Nomination Papers For Town Election Available Until Thursday March 16 5pm Due Monday March 20 5pm
Click Here To View The Town Of Sterling - Nomination Papers For Town Election Available Until Thursday March 16 5pm Due Monday March 20…
Read More »2022 Overflow of Holiday Trash
Overflow Holiday Trash The Town of Sterling Department of Public Works is pleased to announce it will be sponsoring a program to handle overflow trash and recycling for the weeks following the Christmas Holiday. Residents may bring their overflow…
Read More »Temporary Library Trustee Position Available
The Select Board will temporarily fill the vacant Library Trustee position until the election in May. Anyone interested in volunteering must fill out a volunteer form and return it ASAP to the Select Board office or to…
Read More »Town Of Sterling : Rabies Clinic - November 5 from 10:00am - 12:30pm
A rabies vaccine clinic will be held at the Police station on Saturday November 5 from 10:00am - 12:30pm. The cost is $15.00. Please access the station via George Peeso Drive and bring any prior rabies information with you. Dogs should be kep on…
Read More »Town Of Sterling : Art In The Park October 15th
The Mass Cultural Council and the Sterling Cultural Council present ART IN THE PARK OCTOBER 15th (previously scheduled for October 1st) LIST OF EVENTS Please join us to celebrate the talents of local and regional artists. Craft booths and…
Read More »Town Of Sterling : Art In The Park
Please join us to celebrate the talents of local and regional artists. Craft booths and art, in all forms, will be part of this cultural event. Poets, Artists, Theater Types, Musicians, History Buffs, Science Inventors! The Sterling Cultural…
Read More »Town Of Sterling New Permitting Guide
The Town of Sterling has developed a helpful guide to assist our residents, businesses, and contractors to better understand Sterling’s development requirements and processes, so you can successfully complete your project. The purpose of our…
Read More »Town Of Sterling : Redemption Rock Trail Water Service Interruption - House #s 354 - 372
On Thursday September 15th, the water will be turned off to a portion of Redemption Rock Trail to repair a water service. The shutdown is expected to affect numbers 354 to 372 on Redemption Rock Trail. The shutdown is scheduled to take place between…
Read More »Town Of Sterling : Transfer of Alcohol License
Notice is hereby given under provisions of Chapter 138 of the MGL, that Rajendrakumar Patel, Hanumant Corp. has applied for a transfer of an All Alcohol Package store license from Candice Wong Corp, DBA Sterling Deli and Convenience, at 50…
Read More »Trash And Recycling Tote Delivery Beginning September 12 And Continuing Through September 23, 2022
Casella Waste will begin the delivery of the new trash and recycling totes to homes beginning today, Monday September 12th. Each single family home and multifamily home containing three units or less based on the assessors database will receive one…
Read More »Town Of Sterling News - Permitting Guide
Permitting Guide The Town of Sterling has developed a helpful guide to assist our residents, businesses, and contractors to better understand Sterling’s development requirements and processes, so you can successfully complete your project.…
Read More »Town Of Sterling - Kendall Hill Drainage Repairs and paving
Beginning on Monday August 29th, the Sterling DPW will be replacing drainage pipes on Kendall Hill Road between Chamberlin Road and Chace Hill Road ahead of road paving. To complete the drainage work, the road will be closed to through traffic from…
Read More »Town of Sterling News - COVID-19 Information and Updates - July 28, 2022
Free covid test kits with expiration date of Jan 2023 available at the Senior Center. Those who are homebound, need assistance with transportation or have any other concerns about scheduling their vaccination or booster appointment are…
Read More »Art In The Park
ART IN THE PARK Will be held on Oct 1st from 10:00 to 3:00 at the Town Common and Memorial Park (Rain date Oct 15th) The Mass Cultural Council and the Sterling Cultural Council present ART IN THE PARK Please join us to celebrate the talents of…
Read More »Town Of Sterling - The Master Plan Has Officially Been Adopted
To the Town of Sterling, I want to start by thanking the Sterling Master Plan Committee for its commitment and engagement, as well as those in the broader community that participated in the planning process. I also want to thank the Consultants…
Read More »Town Of Sterling - Mandatory Water Ban May 1st - September 30th
Click here to View the Information About Town Of Sterling - Mandatory Water Ban May 1st - September…
Read More »Town Of Sterling - The Final draft of the Master Plan is here!
Please take the opportunity to review the FINAL draft of the Master Plan. Click here to view the plan. If you would like to share any comments or feedback, please forward them to [email protected] This new plan will replace the Town's…
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