Real places, real neighborhoods and current market numbers, verified by broker Ryan C. Winslow.
What Oxford is known for
Oxford is the birthplace of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, and of Dr. Elliot Joslin, founder of today's Joslin Diabetes Center. It is known for its wide Main Street (Route 12), which the town's open space plan calls the second widest main street in New England, and for the Hodges Village Dam flood control land along the French River. Its three I-395 exits make it a commuter town for Worcester.
French Huguenots settled Oxford in 1686 and 1687 and built a fort whose site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. English settlers arrived and the town was incorporated in 1713, and Clara Barton was born here in 1821. After the 1955 flood from Hurricane Diane, the Army Corps of Engineers built Hodges Village Dam, dedicated in 1960, and relocated the Greenbriar neighborhood to make room for it. Oxford is a town of about 13,000 people (2020 Census) with a small-business Main Street, a town common at Joslin Park, and neighborhoods that branch off Main Street into the surrounding hills. Many residents commute to Worcester and beyond on I-395, then come home to town events like bandstand concerts and the winter Polar Plunge.
Where to live
The historic heart of town at the crossroads of Main Street, Sutton Avenue and Charlton Street, designated a National Historic District in 2011. Maple Road, Fremont Street and Barton Street sit here, and the center is zoned as a Village Business District with Town Hall, the library and Joslin Park within walking distance. (source)
The Route 12 corridor from Leicester Street south to Depot Road, including Clara Barton Road and the Clara Barton Birthplace Museum. It has its own I-395 exit at Depot Road, Route 20 runs through it, and the town zoned a North Oxford business district in 2018. Fire Station 2 opened here with full-time staff in 2020. (source)
A former mill village on Route 56 between Route 20 and Route 12. The Norwich and Worcester Railroad opened a station at Texas Depot here in 1840, and the town's historic properties study flagged the area for possible National Register listing. (source)
The stretch from Federal Hill Road south along Route 12 through Chaffee Village, including Holman Street. It is one of the 19th century mill villages the town's historic study identified as worth preserving. (source)
The southern end of town near the Dudley and Webster lines, with an I-395 exit at Cudworth Road. Large areas along Main Street, I-395 and Old Webster Road are zoned industrial and light industrial, so buyers here should look closely at nearby land uses. (source)
Local favorites
An Oxford breakfast institution listed among the Massachusetts 1000 Great Places in 2010. Locals go for huge portions of strawberry pancakes, Billy's Biscuits and Gravy and shaved steak omelettes. (source)
An old-fashioned donut shop that opens at 4 AM. Regulars mention the giant donuts, jelly donut holes and the pizza bagel. (source)
A small bakery known for custom sugar cookies and apple cinnamon scones. Its cookies are handed out at the town's holiday tree lighting. (source)
Greek-style pizza with a crispy crust, plus the Flynne steak sub and buffalo wings. (source)
A colorful sit-down spot known for chicken mole, carne asada quesadillas, tacos al pastor and fried ice cream. (source)
A casual bar and grill with big portions. Popular orders include New England clam chowder, the Cowboy Burger and fish and chips. (source)
A dinner spot with a full bar and live music. Known for steak tips, short rib risotto and pecan praline creme brulee. (source)
Known for buffalo chicken mac and cheese pizza, steak and cheese egg rolls and fried pickle spears. (source)
After hours
The town common on Main Street with a bandstand that hosts the free Summer Bandstand Concert Series, the monthly farmers' market and the fall scarecrow display. (source)
The library at 339 Main Street runs storytimes, teen programs and museum passes, and its basement holds the Oxford History Museum. (source)
The town-run center at 4 Maple Road offers fitness and recreation programs for all ages, sells Carbuncle Pond season passes and hosts the Winter Festival craft fair. (source)
A Main Street bar at 287 Main Street with an upstairs function room used for parties and events. (source)
A summer concert venue and campground on the shore of Webster Lake, one town south, with national acts and a restaurant on site. (source)
Shopping
Local growers and makers set up at Joslin Park on the third Friday of each month, June through October, from 2 PM to 6 PM. (source)
The town's main big-box stop right off I-395, with a Market Basket, a Home Depot, a pet supply store and a gas station. (source)
An indoor Simon mall just north of Oxford with more than 60 stores, including Macy's, and a dining pavilion. (source)
A Fiskdale orchard with pick-your-own apples and fall festivities on weekends, plus a pavilion bar with draft beer and hard cider. (source)
America's oldest outdoor antiques flea market, held for six days three times a year in May, July and September. (source)
Outdoors
The town beach at 495 Main Street, with lifeguards, a splash pad, concessions and a beach house in summer. The grounds are open year-round for fishing and walking. (source)
Army Corps of Engineers flood control land along the French River with over 15 miles of trails, a canoe launch, fishing, mountain biking and snowmobiling. (source)
A 92-mile hiking trail that runs from the Rhode Island line through Worcester County to New Hampshire. The planned French River shared-use path would link it to Hodges Village Dam. (source)
A 200-acre Army Corps lake with 7 miles of multi-use trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, BMX jumps, fishing and group picnic shelters. (source)
The nearest state park, with two miles of trails around a granite chasm and formations called the Corn Crib, the Coffin and Lovers' Leap. The Chasm Trail closes in winter. (source)
A Mass Audubon sanctuary of 435 acres with marked trails through woods, fields and marsh and a nature center. (source)
A national park telling the story of America's industrial start along the Blackstone River, with its visitor center at Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. (source)
Things to do
Clara Barton's childhood home in North Oxford, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is open seasonally and by appointment, with tours for school groups. (source)
The site of the 1690 French Huguenot fort, marked by an 1884 monument and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. A model of the fort is displayed at the public library. (source)
A small museum in the library basement with spinning wheels, kitchen tools and Civil War artifacts. Tours are by appointment. (source)
New England's largest living history museum, recreating rural 1830s life. It runs fall evening events in October. (source)
Worcester ballpark and home of the Worcester Red Sox, which also hosts festivals and seasonal events like Boo in the Woo. (source)
On the calendar
The day starts with a Polar Plunge at Carbuncle Pond for Special Olympics, then moves to the Community Center for bonfires, s'mores, food trucks and a craft fair. (source)
Local bands play the Joslin Park bandstand on the Town Common. Bring a chair or blanket. (source)
Residents fill the Town Common with handmade scarecrows, vote on favorites, and enjoy a vendor fair and kids' crafts. (source)
Fire, police and DPW crews run a lighted parade, followed by the Town Common tree lighting with hot cocoa and cookies. (source)
Schools
Oxford Early Childhood Center (preschool), A.M. Chaffee Elementary, Clara Barton Elementary
Oxford Middle School
Oxford High School, Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School (Charlton)
Listed for reference, not ranked. Confirm school zoning for any address with the district. (source)
Broker notes
I-395 with three Oxford exits (Depot Road, Sutton Avenue, Cudworth Road), Route 12 (Main Street), Route 20 and Route 56. I-90 and I-290 connect just north in Auburn. WRTA Route 42 buses run along Main Street to Worcester.
Worcester Regional Airport (about 25 min), Boston Logan (about 1 hr 10 min), T.F. Green in Providence (about 55 min), Bradley International near Hartford (about 1 hr)
Ryan C. Winslow, broker/owner of Winslow Homes. REALTOR® since 2009, 3,000+ homes sold, broker in FL, MA, CT and RI, U.S. Army Retired.
Researched and verified 2026-09-28. Businesses change; call ahead.