Fitchburg, Massachusetts | ||
---|---|---|
City | ||
Downtown Fitchburg seen from the south.
|
||
|
||
Nickname(s): City by the River | ||
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts. |
||
Location in the United States | ||
Coordinates: 42°35′00″N 71°48′10″W / 42.58333°N 71.80278°WCoordinates: 42°35′00″N 71°48′10″W / 42.58333°N 71.80278°W | ||
Country | United States | |
State | Massachusetts | |
County | Worcester | |
Settled | 1730 | |
Incorporated | 1760 | |
Government | ||
• Type | Mayor-council | |
• Mayor | Stephen DiNatale | |
• City Council |
AT LARGE: Thomas Donnelly AT LARGE: David Clark AT LARGE: Marcus DiNatale AT LARGE: Jeffrey Bean AT LARGE: Dean A. Tran WARD 1: Amy Green WARD 2: Paul Beauchemin WARD 3: Joel R. Kaddy WARD 4: Michael Kushmerek (President) WARD 5: Angelo Bisol WARD 6: Jody M. Joseph |
|
Area | ||
• Total | 28.0 sq mi (72.7 km2) | |
• Land | 27.8 sq mi (72.0 km2) | |
• Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2) | |
Elevation | 482 ft (143 m) | |
Population (2010) | ||
• Total | 40,318 | |
• Estimate (2016) | 40,414 | |
• Density | 1,400/sq mi (550/km2) | |
Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) | |
• Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) | |
ZIP code | 01420 | |
Area code(s) | 351 / 978 | |
FIPS code | 25-23875 | |
GNIS feature ID | 0617121 | |
Website | www.fitchburgma.gov |
Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,318 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private elementary and high schools.
Fitchburg was first settled in 1730 as part of Lunenburg, and was officially set apart from that township and incorporated in 1764. It is named for John Fitch, one of the committee that procured the act of incorporation. In July 1748 Fitch and his family, living in this isolated spot, were abducted to Canada by Native Americans, but returned the next year.
Fitchburg is situated on both the Nashua River and a railroad line. The original Fitchburg Railroad ran through the Hoosac Tunnel, linking Boston and Albany, New York. The tunnel was built using the Burleigh Rock Drill, designed and built in Fitchburg. Fitchburg was a 19th-century industrial center. Originally operated by water power, large mills produced machines, tools, clothing, paper, and firearms. The city is noted for its architecture, particularly in the Victorian style, built at the height of its mill town prosperity. A few examples of these 19th century buildings are the Fay Club, the old North Worcester County Courthouse and the Bullock house.