Athol is the rare mill town where manufacturing persevered into the digital age. This hilly, rustic village in the Quabbin Valley of Massachusetts is home to precision tool maker L. S. Starrett Company, which started operations at its massive brick mill on the Millers River in 1880. Starrett’s perseverance is a source of pride for Athol. “That’s the world headquarters of Starrett,” says Keith McGuirk, a now-retired Realtor and Athol native who sold houses in the area for 25 years. “They don’t employ as many people as they used to, but they’re still the town’s largest employer.” The town maintains a rural, old New England feel with its 19th-century farmhouses, industrial-age downtown, ample acreage and streetscapes lined with leafy deciduous trees.
Starrett Tools is the largest employer in Athol, MA.
Aging colonials and New England farmhouses
Houses in Athol came online in the 19th- and 20th centuries, but new construction is underway. Rustic wooden houses built in the late 1900s show their age, with fading wooden porches and red siding that lost its brightness. Multifamily homes with shuttered windows, farmhouses on several acres, lakefront properties and early 20th-century colonials on sloped streets near downtown are typical. Home prices range between $132,000 and $585,500. The average home value is $290,487.
Queen Anne style homes are available in Athol.
Turn-of-the-century downtown Athol
Downtown Athol came online around the same time Starrett began operations. The Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad provided direct service between Athol and Boston. Downtown features Italianate, Victorian and Second Empire structures built around the turn of the 20th century. Today, accounting offices, insurance businesses and pizzerias use the first floors of these century-old brick buildings. Athol House of Pizza Restaurant makes pies with homemade dough and sauce daily. After work, people head to the bar at Los Agaves Grill and order fajitas and margaritas. And in a nondescript brown building with two blinking Bud Light signs is Olde Tyme New England Seafood Company, a low-key eatery known for its large portion sizes of clam strips and fried shrimp. Neighbors catch the latest releases in town at Athol Cinemas 8.
Athol was officially incorporated in 1762.
The Athol-Royalston school to career pipeline
Kids in Athol can attend public school through the Athol-Royalston Regional School District, which serves about 1,700 students. The district has four schools. Children in Athol can attend Athol Community Elementary School, rated C by Niche. They then move to Athol-Royalston Middle School, which scores a C-minus, and Athol High School, which earns a C. Athol students can participate in Innovation Career Pathways, where kids can take post-secondary courses to gain industry credentials for free in fields like manufacturing and health care.
Nature and street hockey in North Central Mass
North Central Massachusetts is known for its hills, forests spanning thousands of acres and wide-open vistas, prime for viewing fall foliage. In Athol, neighbors stroll along a nature trail and launch their canoes into the river at Alan E. Rich Environmental Park, a conservation area in the center of town. Boaters and fishermen also use the 88-acre Lake Ellis, which has a sandy beach staffed by town lifeguards in the summertime. Neighbors come together to play hockey at the 202 Street Hockey Association. Hockey is huge in Massachusetts. People love the Boston Bruins, and nearby Worcester has the Worcester Railers, a minor league team.
Athol is 70 miles west of Boston.
All the essentials and Athol Hospital
Grocery chains Market Basket and Hannaford have locations in Athol. Walmart Supercenter is in Orange, about 4 miles west of the center of town. People buy clothing at Marshalls, dog and cat food at Pet Supplies Plus and miscellaneous goods at Hobby Lobby. Quick-service chains like Taco Bell, Dunkin and Starbucks are next to Hobby Lobby, in a retail plaza McGuirk says was built in the 2010s. “The state moves westward due to increasing real estate values primarily, but people can find much better deals out here,” he says. “With that higher population and increase in commuters, there was an impetus for retailers to open here. That customer base didn’t exist 20-30 years ago.” Athol also has its own hospital, Athol Hospital, part of Gardner-based Heywood Healthcare.
Athol House of Pizza serves gourmet pizza.
Road and train access to New England
Athol sits along Massachusetts Route 2, a major east-west thoroughfare that goes west to Williamstown and east to Cambridge. The town sits about 10 miles south of the New Hampshire border, 44 miles north of Springfield and 75 miles west of Boston. Amtrak service is available in Greenfield, about 26 miles west, and the route runs south through Springfield and ends in New Haven, Connecticut.
The Hometown Team, based in the vibrant North Quabbin Region, serving North Central, Western Massachusetts and South Western New Hampshire. This Team is a testament to the power of local expertise and dedication. For over a quarter of a century, this remarkable team has been at the forefront of the real estate industry, offering unparalleled service and deep-rooted knowledge of this unique area. With a history that spans more than 25 years, the Hometown Team has not only witnessed the evolution of the North Quabbin community but has also played a pivotal role in shaping its growth.
The Hometown Team's ethos centers around the belief that real estate is more than just transactions; it's about building relationships and communities. Their approach combines the warmth and care of a neighbor with the expertise and professionalism of top-tier realtors. Clients rave about their ability to demystify the buying and selling process, making each step transparent and as stress-free as possible.
Innovation and adaptability have been key to the Hometown Team's longevity and success. They leverage the latest in real estate technology to provide clients with dynamic solutions, while never losing sight of the personal touch that sets them apart. Their marketing strategies are both creative and effective, ensuring that properties receive maximum visibility and attractive offers.
The Hometown Team's commitment to the North Quabbin Region goes beyond real estate. They are deeply involved in the community, participating in local events, supporting small businesses, and contributing to various initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the area. This sense of responsibility and love for their hometown shines through in every interaction, making them not just realtors but trusted community leaders.
For anyone looking to navigate the North Central Mass & Southern NH real estate market, the Hometown Team is an invaluable ally, ready to turn aspirations into reality with integrity, expertise, and a personal touch.
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.
