Welcome to Tyngsborough

The Town of Tyngsborough is located in the Northwest section of Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Composed of 17.86 mi.² land and surface water, Tyngsborough borders the city of Lowell, the towns of Chelmsford, Dracut, Groton and Dunstable, as well as the State of New Hampshire communities of Hudson, Pelham, and Nashua. Tyngsborough is 44 miles northwest (71 KM) from Boston along the Route 3 corridor. 

Known for its distinctive green bridge over the Merrimack River, Tyngsborough has a population of 12,380 (2020 census) and growing business community.

The Spelling

As with many cities and towns in the Commonwealth that end in “-ough”, “Tyngsborough” is often shortened to “Tyngsboro” on the road signs, in print, and on the web.

Tyngsborough’s History

Tyngsborough, was once part of the original Dunstable, Massachusetts Township initially settled in 1661 by Colonel Jonathan Tyng named in honor of his mother Mrs. Edwards Tyng, who emigrated from Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England. The Tyngs were among the early settlers of the land purchased from the Wamisit and Naticook tribes in 1661 for £20 sterling. There's 200 mi.² area covered most of the current day towns that surround Tyngsborough including Nashua and Hollis New Hampshire.

Until everything changed.

Fighting errupted in June 1675. King Phillip’s war brought devastating violence to the area, as Native Americans pushed back against the English settlers who were encroaching on their land. It's hard to imagine that all around this area people were being killed, houses were being burned, and many were fleeing north to Canada. 

Except for one man. Jonathan Tyng sent a petition to the General Court in Boston, asking for 3 to 4 men to come guard his house. He argued that it was in a good place to keep watch over the enemy. The general court agreed, and there he stayed, one of the only English settlers to last year through the entire war. 

Just in front of the spot where Jonathan Tyng's house once sat, there's a rock with a plate on it. The plaque reads: “In this place lived during his last years, and died in 1696, WANNALANCET. Last sachem of the Merrimack River Indians, son of Passaconway, like his father a faithful friend of the early New England colonists.”

Native American chief Wannalancet, was also forced to flee to Canada during king Phillips war. When the fighting ended, the settlers encouraged him to return to the area, as his presence had always been a calming, positive one. 

During the last four years of his life, Wannalancet lived with Jonathan Tyng, as a guest in his home. They say that he used to sit on this very rock, look out at the river, and think about how times are changing for his people.

Open Space and Recreation

The town of Tyngsborough has hundreds of acres of protected, forests, meadows, and wetlands where you can walk, watch wildlife, and enjoy nature. The trails are open to all residents, and their guests, daily from dawn to dusk, year-round. Including the  Tyngsborough/Lowell/Dracut State Forest, there are more than 10 miles of walking trails in Tyngsborough. 

Each season there are special ways to enjoy nature close to home. You can take a brisk hike amidst the fall colors. Snowshoes or cross-country skis can bring you deep into the quiet winter woods. Spring and summer invite you to observe birds, wildflowers, and insects, to traverse woodland streams, and to watch for beavers and other mammals raising their young.