Barre, Massachusetts

Barre is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,398 at the 2010 census.HistoryOriginally called the Northwest District of Rutland, it was first settled in 1720. The town was incorporated on June 17, 1774, as Hutchinson after Thomas Hutchinson, colonial governor of Massachusetts. But on November 7, 1776, it was renamed Barre /ˈbæri/ in honor of Isaac Barré, an Irish-born MP who was a champion of American Independence. Starting in the 1800s, the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad provided rail service to the town.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which is land and, or 0.63%, is water. Barre is drained by the Ware River.Barre is bordered by Hubbardston to the northeast, Rutland and Oakham to the southeast, New Braintree to the south, Hardwick to the southwest, Petersham to the northwest, and a small portion of Phillipston to the north.