Real places, real neighborhoods and current market numbers, verified by broker Ryan C. Winslow.
What Paxton is known for
Paxton is a small hilltop town on the northwest edge of Worcester, with a town center that sits at about 1,158 feet. It is known for Moore State Park, with its waterfalls, restored sawmill and rhododendron blooms, and for Thoreau's Seat on Asnebumskit Hill. For decades it was also home to Anna Maria College, which ceased academic operations at the end of the spring 2026 semester.
Paxton was settled in 1749 and incorporated on February 12, 1765, from land taken in nearly equal parts from Leicester and Rutland. The frame of the town meeting house was raised on June 18, 1766, and its bell was made by Paul Revere. In 1939 Asnebumskit Hill became the site of the Yankee Network's early commercial FM broadcasting antenna. About 5,000 people live in Paxton, according to the 2020 census, and daily life centers on the Town Common, Paxton Center School and a short stretch of Pleasant Street with a breakfast spot, a pizza shop and a second-floor brewery taproom. Residents get quick access to Worcester while living among land trust trails, ponds and a state park.
Where to live
The civic heart of town around the Town Common, with Town Hall at 697 Pleasant Street, the bandstand and Center Field, Paxton Center School and Richards Memorial Library. The town's Historic District covers five town-owned properties here, and the Paxton Days festival and Memorial Day ceremony both take place on or near the Common. (source)
The part of town that borders Worcester. Paxton has no town sewer or natural gas, and in 2006 residents voted down a proposed South Paxton Sewer District, so homes here rely on private septic systems like the rest of town. (source)
Hilly, wooded land around Asnebumskit Road and Briarcliff Lane, near the Greater Worcester Land Trust's 104-acre Asnebumskit Ridge preserve and Thoreau's Seat overlook. Asnebumskit Pond is the town's main drinking water source. (source)
Homes near the 400-acre Moore State Park at 1 Sawmill Road, with its mill foundations, restored sawmill, waterfalls and wooded paths right at the doorstep. (source)
The 260-acre Anna Maria College campus at 50 Sunset Lane. The college ceased academic operations at the end of the spring 2026 semester and filed for Chapter 11, and the town has an Anna Maria College Transition Advisory Committee reviewing what comes next for the land. (source)
The south side of town near the Leicester line, next to the land trust's 118-acre Southwick Pond preserve and Muir Meadow conservation land off Pleasant Street, with pond views, wetlands and mountain laurel in June. (source)
Local favorites
Open seven days for breakfast and lunch. Customer favorites include eggs Benedict, corned beef hash, buttermilk pancakes and homemade chili soup when the weather turns cold. (source)
The town's go-to pizza shop for pizza, calzones, subs, pasta dinners and quesadillas, with online ordering. It also delivers to the Seven Saws Skydeck taproom down the street. (source)
Known for fresh seafood, award-winning clam chowder, brick oven pizza and homemade food cooked by the owner. Just over the town line on Route 122. (source)
A family restaurant since 1991. Diners come for the seafood casserole, Mom's Famous Spinach Pie and chicken piccata, and the function room hosts showers and parties. (source)
A small family-owned Thai restaurant that makes dishes to order with fresh ingredients. Customer favorites include Mongolian beef, spicy pad Thai and crispy salmon. (source)
A busy breakfast spot known for big portions, the Popeye omelette and chocolate chip coconut walnut pancakes. (source)
Customer favorites include baked haddock, chicken piccata, fish and chips and key lime pie, with entertainment Thursday through Saturday. (source)
A local favorite for crab rangoon, egg rolls, volcano rolls and sashimi. (source)
After hours
Seven Saws Brewing's second-floor taproom at 603 Pleasant Street in Paxton, pouring rotating craft beers, wine, cider and non-alcoholic drinks. Open weekday evenings and all day on weekends, with snacks and delivery from Paxton House of Pizza. (source)
Paxton's public library at 44 Richards Avenue, part of the C/W MARS network, open Tuesday through Saturday. (source)
The town's central green space, home to Paxton Days and the Summer Jam local talent showcase each June, plus recreation fields run by the Paxton Recreation Department. (source)
The brewery's main taproom at 112 Industrial Drive in Holden, with a different food truck every weekend and cans to go. (source)
A coffee roaster and cafe in Holden known for lattes, chai and breakfast sandwiches like the huevos rancheros sandwich. (source)
Shopping
A small family-owned farm and garden business with a Paxton location on Pleasant Street and greenhouses in New Braintree. It sells seasonal plants and decorations, including Halloween items in the fall. (source)
A New England farm in Rutland selling pasture-raised chicken, beef, pork and local seafood, with a farm stand, ice cream, a farm bar and live music events. (source)
A market hall with 24 local businesses, including restaurants, specialty food makers and shops. (source)
A juried boutique marketplace in a historic mill building at 138 Green Street, selling local handmade goods, home goods and vintage finds. (source)
Outdoors
A 400-acre state park with waterfalls, cascades, rhododendrons and azaleas, stone mill foundations and a restored sawmill. Offers hiking, fishing, car-top boating and cross-country skiing, and is open sunrise to sunset. (source)
A 104-acre Greater Worcester Land Trust preserve with a scenic overlook, Thoreau's Seat, that looks west to Mount Wachusett and Kettle Brook Reservoir #4. (source)
A 118-acre land trust property with log bridges over wetlands, pond views, fall foliage and mountain laurel in June. River otters and beavers have been seen here. (source)
A 300-acre state park with trails and Whitehall Pond for swimming, boating and picnicking. Daily parking fees apply in summer. (source)
A 400-acre Mass Audubon sanctuary with 2 miles of trails, mature red oak forest and extensive wetlands. Free and open daily dawn to dusk. (source)
A national wildlife refuge on former Fort Devens land, transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1974. (source)
A national park that tells the story of America's industrial revolution, with its visitor center at Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI, and sites in the Massachusetts part of the valley. (source)
Things to do
The town green where the meeting house frame was raised in 1766 on land given by Seth Howe. Its bell was made by Paul Revere. The Paxton Historical Commission holds open houses at its office in the Senior Center at 17 West Street on the second Saturday of the month in spring and summer. (source)
A botanic garden with themed gardens, an apple orchard, fall experiences, garden dining and the Night Lights event. (source)
The region's ski and snowboard area at 499 Mountain Road in Princeton, with lessons, terrain parks and a ski train. (source)
A museum of science and nature founded in 1825, on a 45-acre campus with a planetarium, wildlife exhibits, nature trails and a seasonal railroad. (source)
An art museum open since 1898 with a collection of nearly 40,000 objects spanning thousands of years. (source)
On the calendar
A full day at Center Field and the bandstand with vendors, artisans, a bike rodeo, food trucks, Seven Saws beer and the Summer Jam local amateur talent showcase. (source)
A parade from the Public Safety Building to the Town Common, a Scout pancake breakfast at the Congregational Church and American Legion Post 306 salutes at the town's three cemeteries. (source)
A Greater Worcester Land Trust sunset hike up Asnebumskit Hill with a campfire, hot dogs and s'mores. (source)
Schools
Paxton Center School (K-8)
Paxton Center School (K-8)
Wachusett Regional High School (Holden), Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School (vocational option)
Listed for reference, not ranked. Confirm school zoning for any address with the district. (source)
Broker notes
Route 122 (Pleasant Street) runs through Paxton Center toward Worcester and Rutland. Routes 31 and 56 also meet in the center. I-190 and I-290 are reached through Worcester.
Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) is about 15 minutes away. Boston Logan International is about 1 hour away.
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.