$402,438Average Value$282Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Cleghorn: The imprint of an old mill town
Built along the Nashua River, Cleghorn once housed employees of paper mills that dotted the water. In the 1800s, the neighborhood was synonymous with the French-Canadian immigrants who moved to the area to work in the mills. Today, the mills have shuttered, but the houses remain. Fitchburg’s industrial history sometimes gives the area a negative connotation, says Karen Shattuck, a Realtor at Lamacchia Realty who grew up in Fitchburg. However, home prices often are lower than in surrounding towns, and new businesses are opening in downtown Fitchburg, a mile east of Cleghorn. “Its glory days are long past, but it’s on the rise,” Shattuck says. Brenda Cormier, a Realtor with Re/Max Vision who grew up in the neighboring city, Leominster, explains further: “For a while, there was a lot of crime in Fitchburg, but the crime rate has gone down. It’s a great place to live, sometimes it just takes a little while for people to find out.”
Typical homes in Cleghorn average from small to medium sizes in the area.
Homes in Cleghorn can be spaced apart with ample yard space for activities.
1/2
Workforce homes on hilly roads
The Nashua River spans Cleghorn’s northern border. Near the water, there are mostly multifamily properties and triple-decker houses. The latter once provided housing for people who worked in the mills, with several generations living under one roof, Shattuck says. Today, these units accommodate renters, who account for just over half the total number of neighborhood residents. In the south and the east, the neighborhood gets hillier. Here, single-family homes, mostly modest Cape Cods or ranch-style houses, sit close together on weather-worn roads. Single-story properties typically cost between $200,000 to $350,000, while Cleghorn’s few Colonial Revivals can cost $400,000 to $450,000. Investors looking to purchase a multifamily property can find one for between $350,000 to $670,000, depending on the size, age and condition.
A colonial revival style home in Cleghorn has a large front yard with a driveway.
A yellow cape style home in Cleghorn has green shutters and shrubs in the front yard.
1/2
New playground at Parkhill Park
In 2022, the city built an all-inclusive, wheelchair-accessible playground in the neighborhood's Parkhill Park. The new play space added to the park’s amenities, which already included a playground, tennis courts, baseball fields and a basketball court. A 13,000-square-foot concrete skate park opens every April through November, with skate camps operating in the summer, and there’s a free splash park for kids. Golfers can tee off at Oak Hill Country Club, which is just south of the neighborhood. Just over a century old, the private club has hosted seven Massachusetts Opens. For an expansive outdoor experience, Coggshall Park is about 2 miles away and spans 250 acres. Here, visitors can wander wooded trails by Mirror Lake or relax in a gazebo that seems to float on the water.
Pawlak Park has a wide range of park features for children in Cleghorn.
Bikers and skater can to the skatepark at Parkhill Park in Cleghorn.
1/2
Advanced courses at Fitchburg High School, Fitchburg State University nearby
Two Fitchburg public schools sit in the neighborhood, making things convenient for elementary and middle schoolers. Those two schools, Reingold Elementary School and Memorial Middle School, receive B-minus scores from Niche. Fitchburg High School also gets a B-minus and offers early college programs, career and technical education courses, a STEM Academy and an honors academy. Fitchburg State University, a public university that educates about 3,500 undergraduates, is about 3 miles north of the neighborhood. “Lots of local kids go to Fitchburg State,” Cormier says. “They usually live at home and commute to class.”
Fitchburg High School in Fitchburg-Lunenburg offers 16 different AP classes.
Memorial Middle School is located in Cleghorn, Fitchburg, MA.
Reingold Elementary School is located in the Cleghorn neighborhood.
1/3
S.S. Lobster sells seafood to customers, other restaurants
Across the Nashua River from Cleghorn, S.S. Lobster Ltd. has sold fresh fish for nearly 50 years. Locals might pop in for a sit-down dinner of baked haddock Florentine or take home fresh scallops from S.S. Lobster’s seafood market, which is also a popular regional supplier, says Shattuck. “They provide seafood to most of the restaurants in the county. I’ve been buying fish there for 40 years.” Also on that side of the river is 50/50 Diner, a neighborhood go-to serving homestyle American fare. On the opposite end of the neighborhood, Gourmet Donuts stocks its display case with sweet morning treats. The doughnut shop stands in Park Hill Plaza, a shopping center with a CVS Pharmacy, Family Dollar and several banks. The nearest grocery store is Market Basket, while HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital is the nearest medical resource; both are about 2 miles away. The neighborhood is also just over a mile from downtown Fitchburg, where there are rows of shops and restaurants, including some new spots. Opened in 2023, Dario’s Ristorante serves classic Italian food and swanky cocktails.
Folks look at the fresh seafood options at S.S. Lobster in Cleghorn.
It's hard to miss the parking lot at Tacos Tequilas, with the vibrant mural on display.
1/2
Racing rubber ducks and Santa on parade
The city of Fitchburg hosts various community events throughout the year. For more than 60 years, Main Street has hosted Civic Days during the week of July 4. From a rubber duck race with $5,000 on the line to a jamming block party, Civic Days sets the stage for the Independence Day parade and fireworks show. From June to October, local vendors sell produce and other goods at the Fitchburg Farmer’s Market, which is held every third Thursday at the Fitchburg Art Museum and every second Saturday in downtown Fitchburg’s historic Upper Common. A few days before Halloween, there's the Trick or Treat on Main Street event, while the community gathers during the holidays for the Santa Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting.
A 55-mile drive to Boston
Massachusetts state Route 12 runs along the neighborhood’s northern border and leads throughout the City of Fitchburg. State Route 2 is a couple of miles south and connects with Interstate 190, which takes commuters 30 miles to Worcester. Boston is a 55-mile drive to the east. A mile east across the Nashua River, commuter trains leave Fitchburg’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority station and head toward the state capital. Locals also travel to Boston when it’s time to fly, utilizing the Boston Logan International Airport.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Cleghorn, Fitchburg sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Cleghorn, Fitchburg over the last 12 months is $375,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming and well-maintained home in a desirable Fitchburg neighborhood! Featuring 3 bright and spacious bedrooms, 2 full baths, and approximately 1,680 sq ft of living space, this classic residence blends timeless appeal with modern comfort. Enjoy a sun-filled living room with fireplace, a formal dining area, and a kitchen with ample cabinetry and counter space. The second floor offers three
OPEN HOUSE RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY, 10/26/25 from 12-2.This single-family residence slightly perched high offers an inviting home, ready for you to move in! This beautiful center-entrance colonial offers a welcoming foyer. The living room is anchored by a fireplace, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for relaxation and gatherings. Picture yourself enjoying cozy evenings with loved ones, the
1870 Modernized & Cozy 3 Bedroom Bungalow Home on a Deadend Street!! Newish Roof! Low Maintenance Vinyl Siding, Gorgeous Brazilian Cherry Floors throughout 1st Floor! Large Eat-in Kitchen with Corian Countertops, Hookups for a Stackable Washer and Electric Dryer, Newly Renovated Full Bathroom, Plenty of Storage, Over-sized Master Bedroom with Walk-in Closet! Enclosed Back Porch overlooking nice
Spacious townhouse for rent in Cleghorn neighborhood of Fitchburg with easy access to downtown, public transportation, shopping and highway. Unit features 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, in unit laundry, finished basement and 2-3 parking spaces. Immediate availability.
Beautiful 55+ community made up of renovated mill apartments with features such as exposed brick walls and stunning wood ceilings. For more information contact us today at 978-627-4299.
Unique three bedroom apartment with lots of character. Vinyl flooring throughout main living area and carpet in two of the bedrooms. Kitchen has 2 areas for storage. Lots of windows and natural light.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.