Royal-shire, as the town was originally called, as settled by six families in 1762, and was incorporated as the town of Royalston on February 19, 1765. The town was named after the Hon. Isaac Royal, a Tory who donated money and land, though he did not live there.

Agriculture and small industry were the main economic activities in the town’s early years, with larger industries developing in South Royalston at the end of the 1800’s. A woolen mill was the largest of these, attracting many Finnish immigrants to its work force.

The Chamber gratefully acknowledges Royalston-resident and author Allen Young, who has allowed the Chamber to use copyrighted material throughout this website from his remarkable regional guidebook North of Quabbin, published in 1983. Pick up his 2003 update, North of Quabbin Revisited, which includes new maps and photos, for a fascinating, in-depth guide to this nine-town region.