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AHistory
History · Winchendon

Winchendon dates to 1764, and 29% of its homes were built before 1940

More historic than 94% of U.S. towns · #100 of 283 in Massachusetts. What drives it

3 places in town are on the National Register, among them two historic districts with 47 buildings between them. Below: 35 old photos and papers, maps from 1885 on, and the census since 1790.

1764founded
3on the National Register
29%homes built before 1940
35old photos & papers
12famous people
Add an old photoShare a memory
From Winchendon’s archive · credits on each photo
Quick answers

How Winchendon began

When was Winchendon founded?

1764

Winchendon dates its founding to 1764 (Wikipedia’s history). It appears in the first U.S. census, 1790.

First census: 946 in 17902020 census: 10,364262 years

How historic is Winchendon?

A

More historic than 94% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.

What drives the grade ↓
Founding year: Wikipedia. First post office: 1796.The full story ↓
History grade

What drives Winchendon’s History grade

On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Winchendon is more historic than 94% of U.S. towns, #100 of 283 in Massachusetts. All 3 inputs are above most U.S. towns; its age ranks highest and its National Register listings lowest.

A
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Winchendon’s overall grade.
Founding era1764, from Wikipedia: founded before 1776, an older era than 96% of U.S. townsA+Homes built before 194029.2% of homes (±5.2) · typical MA town 21.1% · U.S. 8.4%A−National Register3 listings, 48 historic buildings, 46.0 per 10,000 residents · typical MA town 46.0 · U.S. 2.4B+
All U.S. towns we grade (21,289)Ahead of 94%
NewerOlder
Massachusetts towns of 2,500+ (283)Ahead of 65%

Massachusetts towns list more on the Register than most of the country (a typical Massachusetts town has 46.0 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Winchendon’s 46.0 sits near the middle of its state (47% of Massachusetts towns have fewer) while its 48 historic buildings outnumber those of 85% of U.S. towns.

NoteThe founding year comes from Wikipedia alone; no second source gives 1764.
How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from A− to A+. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±5.2 points).

Founding year: Wikipedia (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →

What stands out about Winchendon’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A town in postcards35 old photos, postcards and papers, 1901–1911.On the map since 18877 editions of the USGS map, 1887 to 1988. Watch Winchendon change.Lost villages1 post office opened and closed inside today’s Winchendon, and 9 old place names are still on the map.Mapped building by building6 fire insurance maps, 1885 to 1914, drew every building in Winchendon.
★ What stands out · By decade

Winchendon, decade by decade

2 decades in the archive, from the 1900s to the 1910s. Scroll each row; tap a photo for its story.

1900s10 items
New Boston Crossing (Winchendon) postcard1901–1907New Boston Crossing (Winchendon) postcardPostcardWinchendon station postcard (2)1901–1907Winchendon station postcard (2)PostcardCentral Streetc. 1905Central StreetPostcardBird's-eye View1906Bird's-eye ViewPostcardGeneral Viewc. 1906General ViewPostcardSeal of1906Seal ofNorthern Massachusetts streetcar in Winchendon - postcard1907–1915Northern Massachusetts streetcar in Winchendon - post…PostcardWinchendon station postcard1907–1915Winchendon station postcardPostcardConverse Residencec. 1908Converse ResidencePostcardBelow the Dam1909Below the DamPostcard
1910s25 items
[Mamie La Barge. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911[Mamie La Barge. Location: Winchendon, MassachusettsWaiting to be Smuggled. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911Waiting to be Smuggled. Location: Winchendon, Massach…Some of Batise's illiterate neighbors. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911Some of Batise's illiterate neighbors. Location: Winc…Illiterate 19-year-old sister of B. Joseph. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911Illiterate 19-year-old sister of B. Joseph. Location:…Mamie La Barge, September 30, '11. See #2364. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911Mamie La Barge, September 30, '11. See #2364. Locatio…Mamie and her sister Eglantine, about 15 yr. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911Mamie and her sister Eglantine, about 15 yr. Location…One of the young helpers in the Glenallen Mill. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911One of the young helpers in the Glenallen Mill. Locat…[Mamie La Barge at her Machine. Under legal age.] Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911[Mamie La Barge at her Machine. Under legal age.] Loc…Mamie La Barge at her Machine. Under legal age. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911Mamie La Barge at her Machine. Under legal age. Locat…[Mamie La Barge at her Machine. Under legal age.] Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911[Mamie La Barge at her Machine. Under legal age.] Loc…Clerinda Norrin, said 11 years old and helps sister spin in Glenallen Mill. Winchendon, Mass. September 3, 1911. Richar…1911Clerinda Norrin, said 11 years old and helps sister s…Mamie and her sisters and brothers who work in the mill. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911Mamie and her sisters and brothers who work in the mi…Annie Dugas, spinner at machine on top floor of Glenallen Mill. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911Annie Dugas, spinner at machine on top floor of Glena…In doorway is Mary Deschene, 11 years old. Helper in Glenallen Mill. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911In doorway is Mary Deschene, 11 years old. Helper in …Clerinda Norrin, Said 11 years old and helps sister spin in Glenallen Mill. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911Clerinda Norrin, Said 11 years old and helps sister s…Lumina Demarais, admitted 12 years ol[d] Been doffing in Spring Mill all summer. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts1911Lumina Demarais, admitted 12 years ol[d] Been doffing…Eglantine La Barge, an adolescent spinner, working in Spring Village Mill for 2 Years. Location: Winchendon, Massachuse…1911Eglantine La Barge, an adolescent spinner, working in…Elizabeth Demarais [i.e., Demaris?], 13 years old. A spinner in the Spring Village Mill, been working since May. Locati…1911Elizabeth Demarais [i.e., Demaris?], 13 years old. A …[Elizabeth Demarais [i.e., Demaris?], 13 years old. A spinner in the Spring Village Mill, been working since May.] Loca…1911[Elizabeth Demarais [i.e., Demaris?], 13 years old. A…Mamie La Barge and a part of her family of which there are 13 in all, nine in the mill. Location: Winchendon, Massachus…1911Mamie La Barge and a part of her family of which ther…Batise Joseph. Winchendon. Doffer in Glenakkeb [i.e., Glenallen] Mill. Father and Mother said, "He is 12 years old. Has…1911Batise Joseph. Winchendon. Doffer in Glenakkeb [i.e.,…Smallest is Anatole Gernon, Maple St. Apparently 11 or 12 years old. Doffs on top floor spinning room of Glenallen Mill…1911Smallest is Anatole Gernon, Maple St. Apparently 11 o…[Smallest is Anatole Gernon, Maple St. Apparently 11 or 12 years old. Doffs on top floor spinning room of Glenallen Mil…1911[Smallest is Anatole Gernon, Maple St. Apparently 11 …Elizabeth Demaris [i.e., Demarais?], 13 years old. A spinner in the Spring Village Mill1911Elizabeth Demaris [i.e., Demarais?], 13 years old. A …Rosina Goyette, Maple St. Apparently 12 but says she is 14; has steady job doffi[ng] and spinning in Spring Village Mil…1911Rosina Goyette, Maple St. Apparently 12 but says she …
1920s–1990snothing yet
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Add from your album
On the map

Winchendon on the map, 1887 to 1988

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Winchendon. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Winchendon on the 1887 USGS mapWinchendon on the 1890 USGS mapWinchendon on the 1935 USGS mapWinchendon on the 1946 USGS mapWinchendon on the 1954 USGS mapWinchendon on the 1971 USGS mapWinchendon on the 1988 USGS map1887Winchendon sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Winchendon.

Places that used to be

Lost post offices, old corners, places now gone and burying grounds

Winchendon’s post office has been open since 1796. Another post office, Waterville, opened and closed inside today’s town.

Winchendon
1796–today
Waterville
1881–1914
Winchendon Springs
1889–today
17901910today
Hamlets and corners on the map
BullardvilleGlenallenHarrisvilleHydevilleParkers StationPequoigWatervilleWinchendon CenterWinchendon Springs
Gone or out of use
Marvin SchoolschoolWhite SchoolschoolWoodcock Schoolschool
5cemeteries and burying grounds inside Winchendon
CalvaryMassachusetts Veterans MemorialNew BostonOld CenterRiverside

US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock, CC0). Places and cemeteries from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

The story

How Winchendon came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Winchendon.

Read it all →

Winchendon is a small town in north-central Massachusetts, originally the country of the Pennacook Indians, and then the Nipnet/Nipmuck tribe.

ChaptersSpring Village

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

From the old history books

What they wrote about Winchendon, 1849–1907

Passages that mention Winchendon, cut from the printed page as they were published.

meeting to be held on the 4th of August, 1774. The substance of one article, as stated in the warrant, is, that Whereas the Committee of Correspondence of the town of Winchendon, have received a letter from the Committee of Correspondence of Worcester, together with the Committee of Winchendon, req…
History of the town of Winchendon, from the grant of the township by the legislature of Massachusetts in 1735, to the present time1849 · page 26Read the page →
Read the text

meeting to be held on the 4th of August, 1774. The substance of one article, as stated in the warrant, is, that Whereas the Committee of Correspondence of the town of Winchendon, have received a letter from the Committee of Correspondence of Worcester, together with the Committee of Winchendon, requesting the town of Winchendon to appoint one or more of the Committee of the town of Winchendon, to

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Voted, That the province taxes granted and levied upon the town of Winchendon, for the years 1772, 1773, and 1774, committed and soon to be committed to Thomas Sawyer, and Jeremiah Stuart, Constables of Winchendon, be paid to Henry Gardner, Esq. of Stow, as soon as conveniently may be : and the Con…
History of the town of Winchendon, from the grant of the township by the legislature of Massachusetts in 1735, to the present time1849 · page 108Read the page →
Read the text

Voted, That the province taxes granted and levied upon the town of Winchendon, for the years 1772, 1773, and 1774, committed and soon to be committed to Thomas Sawyer, and Jeremiah Stuart, Constables of Winchendon, be paid to Henry Gardner, Esq. of Stow, as soon as conveniently may be : and the Constables are hereby ordered to pay the above said money as above voted ; and the town will hereby indemnify the above said Thomas

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Royalston, was destroyed by fire in 1884. He resumed business after the fire in a factory which he hired, located near the New Hampshire line, in Winchendon. He continues to live, however, in Royalston, although he has had a large and prosperous business develop at his new stand in the adjacent tow…
Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity1907Read the page →
Read the text

Royalston, was destroyed by fire in 1884. He resumed business after the fire in a factory which he hired, located near the New Hampshire line, in Winchendon. He continues to live, however, in Royalston, although he has had a large and prosperous business develop at his new stand in the adjacent town of Winchendon. He took his two sons into partnership when they became old enough and

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.

Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.

Timeline

Winchendon, 1764 to 1919

Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.

  1. 18th century
  2. 1764
    FoundingWinchendon is established
  3. 1783Born hereArtemas Hale is born here
  4. 1796Post officeThe Winchendon post office opens
  5. 19th century
  6. 1820Born hereWilliam B. Washburn is born here
  7. 1858Born hereWilliam DeWitt Hyde is born here
  8. 1881Post officeThe Waterville post office opens
  9. 1887BuiltMurdock School is built
  10. 1887On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
  11. 1889Post officeThe Winchendon Springs post office opens
  12. 20th century
  13. 1901In the archiveNew Boston Crossing (Winchendon) postcard
  14. 1911In the archive[Mamie La Barge. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts
  15. 1914Post officeThe Waterville post office closes
  16. 1919Born hereAlbert H. Bowker is born here
Every building

Winchendon, building by building, 1885–1914

Fire insurance maps drew every building, what it was made of and what it was used for, so insurers could price the risk of fire. Pick a year, then a sheet.

Winchendon fire insurance map, 1885, sheet 11885Sheet 1 of 6
Edition
BrickWoodStone

Sanborn Map Company, via the Library of Congress. Editions published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.

Then & now

Stand where they stood

No then-and-now pairs yet. Take a photo from the same spot as an old one and they appear here side by side.

New Boston Crossing (Winchendon) postcard
Retake this viewNew Boston Crossing (Winchendon) postcard, 1901–1907

Find the spot, match the angle, and add your photo. It becomes the first then-and-now pair on Winchendon’s page.

Retake this view · +15
On the National Register

3 listings protect 48 historic buildings

The country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving.

places listed
3
National Historic Landmarks
0
none yet
historic buildings protected
48
each building in a district counts
first listed
1987
Old Centre Historic District
Old Centre Historic DistrictMurdock School, built 1887Winchendon Village Historic District
BuildingsDistricts

Architectural styles listings

Federal2
Greek Revival2
Georgian1
Vernacular1
Romanesque1
Italianate1
Old Centre Historic DistrictGeorgian
Murdock SchoolRomanesque · Built 1887
Winchendon Village Historic DistrictFederal

National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each place’s page.

People over time

Winchendon, census by census

02,0004,0006,0008,00010,0001800185019001950200010,364

Grew from 946 people in 1790 to 10,364 in 2020, more than tenfold.

19 censuses, 1790–2020.

U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Winchendon’s Wikipedia page.

Famous people

12 famous people were born in Winchendon

Writers, athletes, leaders and more, ranked by how widely they’re known.

See all →
William B. WashburnAmerican businessman and politician from Massac… · b. 1820
William DeWitt HydeAmerican writer · b. 1858
A
Artemas HaleAmerican politician · b. 1783
A
Albert H. BowkerAmerican educational administrator · b. 1919
D
Dudley Warren AdamsAmerican surveyor · b. 1831
Earle E. PartridgeUnited States general · b. 1900
Help out

Finish Winchendon’s story

Most archives stop around 1920. The photos from after that are in family albums, not libraries.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
2 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
Retake an old viewNew Boston Crossing (Winchendon) postca…: stand where they stood+15Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

Gardner13 historic placesA+Royalston1 historic placeATempleton4 historic placesA+Ashburnham3 historic placesA

Questions about Winchendon’s history

What year was Winchendon founded?

In 1764, according to Wikipedia’s history of the town. Winchendon’s post office opened in 1796, and the first U.S. census counted 946 people here in 1790.

How does Winchendon rank for history?

Winchendon is more historic than 94% of U.S. towns, #100 of 283 in Massachusetts. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.

What is on the National Register in Winchendon?

Three places: the Old Centre Historic District (listed 1987), the Murdock School (1988) and the Winchendon Village Historic District (1993).

How old are the homes in Winchendon?

29% of Winchendon’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±5.2 points), against a typical 21% for a Massachusetts town; the median home was built in 1981.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

From Wikimedia Commons (10), the Library of Congress (25), Wikidata (1), the National Register of Historic Places (3), Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System, Sanborn fire insurance maps (Library of Congress) and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.