History

Settled in 1717 by Nathaniel Wood, Spencer was incorporated as a town in 1753. It has been established as a district from a part of Leicester. Its name was assigned by Lieutenant Governor Spencer Phipps who had signed the order establishing the district. In 1784, Spencer was a major stopping place on the Old Boston Post Road's stage route between Boston and Hartford, and on to New York. Spencer's first mill was built in 1740 on Seven Mile River, the greatest source of water power in the town. In 1811, Josiah Green began making shoes, and in 1834 he built a factory. The Prouty family began to make shoes in 1820, and built their factory in 1855. In 1812, Elliot Prouty had begun to "draw" wire in a mill he had built. His business flourished in his family until 1916, when it merged with Wickwire Steel Company. At one time there were 11 factories and 26 buildings for wire drawing. The Howe family of Spencer did much to make the town famous in the annals of ingenious Americans. William Howe of Spencer developed a wooden truss bridge named for him, and his brother Tyler Howe, patented a spring bed. Their nephew, Elias Howe, Jr., may well have eclipsed them when he invented the lockstitch sewing machine.

Spencer State Forest

Howe Pond Rd., Spencer.  (508)886-6333.  Park Directions:  Rte. 9 west to Rte. 31 south to Howe Pond Rd. Follow signs.

Park Information:  Spencer State Forest, a 965-acres area provides swimming and picnicking facilities on Howe Pond. Other activities offered at Spencer include fishing, canoeing, hiking, Nordic skiing and snowmobiling.

Local Phone Numbers:

Town Hall, Inspectors, Public Safety & Utilities, Schools, Other Services, Churches, Newspapers, Restaraunts, Function Halls

Around the Town Hall (Hours:   Mon-Thurs 8-12 & 1-4
Mon evenings 6-8, Closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday):
Selectman:  885-7518
Town Clerk:  885-7500
Treasurer:  885-7510
Tax Collector:  885-7550
Town Accountant:  885-7545
Assessors:  885-7520
Board of Health:  885-7540
Building Inspector:  885-7504
Civil Defense: 885-7511
Veteran's Services:  885-7508
Conserv. Commission:  885-7535

Inspectors:
Gas:  885-6617
Plumbing:  885-3204
Wire:  885-4633
Animal inspector and dog officer:  885-2306

Public Safety and Utilities:
Police:  911 EMERGENCY or 885-6333 non emergency, and 885-DRUG (drug tip hotline)
Fire:  911 EMERGENCY or 885-7533 non emergency
Highway:  885-7515
Water:  885-7525
Sewer:  885-7541 office or 885-7542 plant
Recycling center:  885-7539

Schools:
Superintendent's office:  885-8500
Pupil services:  885-8515
Lake Street School:  885-8517
West Main Street School:  885-8535
Maple Street School:  885-8529
David Prouty Intermediate:  885-8524
Knox Trail Junior High:  885-8550
David Prouty High School:  885-8505

Other Services:
Council on aging:  885-7546
Housing Authority:  885-3904
Library:  885-7513
Post Office:  885-2315
Eldervan:  867-9941

Churches:
Hillside Baptist Church:  885-9691
Mary, Queen of the Rosary Church:  885-3111
St. Joseph's Abby:  885-8700
First Congregational Church:  885-2149
Spencer United Methodist Church:  885-2929

Newspapers:
New Leader:  800-367-9898
Wickaboag Weekender:  885-5041
Worcester T&G:  885-3900

Restaurants:

Chef Sau:  885-3995
China Buffet:  885-4138
Dairy Queen:  885-2748
McDonald's:  885-3355
Black & White:  885-5018
Kenwood Diner:  885-6596
Subway: 885-7166
Spencer Pizza House and Seafood: 508-885-0000
John's Pizza: 508-885-6936
Mike's Pizza: 508-885-6845

Function Halls:

Knights Of Columbus:  885-5428
Spencer Country Inn:  885-9036

Local Businesses:

Gyms & Dancing:
Curves for Women: 508-885-0170
Metta Center (Yoga):
Dance Techniques: 508-885-4559

Youth Organizations:
Girl Scouts:  885-6519

Hair Stylists:
Upscale Salon: 508-885-4304

Banks:
Southbridge Savings: 508-885-2221
Sovereign Bank: 508-885-
Spencer Savings: 508-885-5313
Webster First Federal Credit Union: 508-885-4188

Fairs and Festivals: