Ashby may be dominated by nature, but that hasn’t stopped thousands of people from calling this picturesque slice of northern Middlesex County home for centuries. First settled by Europeans in the late 1670s and incorporated in 1767, Ashby has thrived as an agrarian community with a small-town feel, growing to include more than 3,100 residents. “There’s a lot of ownership pride here,” says Lana Kopsala, who was born and raised in Ashby and now works as a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty in nearby Leominster. “The small-town feel just keeps everybody closer,” she says. “My parents still live there. Even to this day I still know the kids I went to preschool with.”
Although many of the old agricultural sites have since become peaceful residential estates, a handful of local farmers continue the area’s legacy by raising livestock and growing fresh produce often sold at the town’s central market. Historic structures such as the Ashby Congregational Church and the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, built in the early 1800s, tell the story of the community, and the active Ashby Historical Commission works to preserve fixtures like the 1820s Grange Hall for future generations to enjoy. “Ashby has always had this historical feel,” but it isn’t rundown, Kopsala says. “Main Street, which has a lot of the older, large homes, has been well cared for because the people who lived there have been there 30-plus years. They care about their town,” she says.
About 60 miles from Boston and minutes from the New Hampshire border, Ashby is surrounded by wild open spaces beloved by outdoor enthusiasts. But creature comforts are never too far, with major shopping and transportation hubs about 10 miles away in Fitchburg. And with state Route 119 accessible from nearly every corner of the town, Ashby is a commuter-friendly location for those seeking a slower, rural pace.
Year-round adventures in Willard Brook State Forest
Ashby residents are just a few hours away from New Hampshire’s famous White Mountains. But with rolling hills throughout the rugged area, Ashby itself is surrounded by climbing terrain filled with miles of trails to explore. At more than 2,500 acres, Willard Brook State Forest keeps adventurers busy throughout the year with summer campgrounds, the scenic Trap Falls waterfall and dedicated trails for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in winter. The 4-mile Friends Trail Loop connects the forest with neighboring Pearl Hill State Park, a 1,000-acre expanse popular for its swimming pond.
For a snapshot of wild Massachusetts, hikers can visit the massive Ashby Wildlife Management Area, a sprawling marsh and woodland landscape home to a range of critters, from common waterfowl and foxes to coyotes and the occasional moose. A section of the land is stocked annually with pheasants, appealing to wild game hunters. Just west, Watatic Mountain State Wildlife Area rises more than 1,800 feet above sea level, revealing views that reach all the way to Boston from the mountain’s bedrock peak.
Former residents return for the Fourth of July bonfire
Local events are a big part of Ashby’s rich community life, with the biggest bash coming in summer. “They have a huge Fourth of July bonfire, and I cannot believe how packed it still gets. My son, my nephew and his wife, they’re all in their 30s, and they still go. They know they’re going to see people they know,” Kopsala says. Concerts on the common have been a Wednesday night tradition for decades, and Kopsala says Halloween still draws a crowd of trick-or-treaters to Main Street. “They definitely decorate. They spook out the barns,” she says.
Buying in rural Massachusetts has its perks
Homebuyers in Ashby have their pick of everything from 19th-century antique Colonials to contemporary 2020 estates, many of which are surprisingly priced below $500,000 despite large lot sizes. Added acreage can push the price tag north toward $800,000 — crossing the million-dollar mark on rare occasions — but with an average home value of just over $400,000, Ashby is still significantly cheaper than Middlesex County overall. Those looking to start their own homestead will find plenty of undeveloped plots ripe for building, but buyers should be mindful that lots can vary greatly in price, from less than $10,000 per acre to more than $50,000 per acre.
Career prep in the North Middlesex district
Ashby is served by the North Middlesex Regional School District, which scores an overall grade of B on Niche and is based in the neighboring Townsend community. Ashby Elementary, which scores a B-minus, welcomes local students from kindergarten through fifth grade, while B-rated Hawthorne Brook Middle is a 7-mile bus trip away. North Middlesex Regional High, which also scores a B, caters to kids from across Ashby, Townsend and Pepperell, offering a four-year Engineering Concentration program that highlights architecture, robotics and computer science. For additional career prep, students can enroll at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, an independent high school institution based out of nearby Fitchburg that offers more than 20 different programs of study.
Fetching groceries and other goods from Fitchburg
Ashby’s compact town center along Main Street isn’t a robust shopping district by any means, but it is home to the Ashby Free Public Library, post office, a local tavern and the Ashby Market & Hardware store, a staple of the community that often sells produce grown by area farmers. Family-owned 873 Café & Smith Hill Tavern is an exciting new venture spearheaded by local Massachusetts chef Sean Smith, who enjoys highlighting local artists with live performances during holiday meals. Small farms such as Elm Shade offer pick-your-own blueberries in summer, while Moo Mountain Farm is a popular supplier of locally raised beef.
When it comes to everyday grocery shopping, though, many Ashby residents make the 10-mile trip south to Fitchburg to shop at Market Basket. Neighboring Lunenburg is home to a Walmart, Hannaford grocery store and Pet Supplies Plus, and a handful of casual restaurants and cafes are found in both communities.
Crime
Since 2014, crime rates have declined significantly across Middlesex County, with violent crime rates dropping more than 90% according to Data USA. In Ashby, which is the least populated town in the county, rates are even lower, with no homicides reported since 2017 and an overall arrest rate that’s down 50% since 2018, according to Ashby Police’s annual records. However, an uptick in larcenies did increase the community’s numbers in 2021. In 2023, Ashby’s police department joined the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, which helps pool resources across the state to better serve the area during major crises and special response issues, such as missing persons and active shooter situations.
With over two decades of experience in both construction and real estate, I bring a unique perspective and skill set to the table. As the office and operations manager for my husband's construction company, I honed my organizational and leadership skills, allowing me to expertly guide my clients through the complex process of buying or selling a property. As a successful real estate agent, I have sold over 100 properties to happy clients. My extensive knowledge of the real estate market, combined with my strong negotiation skills, allows me to achieve the best outcomes for my clients.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
