Originally settled by the Nipmuc people, the area saw European establishment following a petition in 1656. The town itself was incorporated in 1766, separating from Westborough, and officially became a full-fledged town in 1775. The early history of Northborough revolved around its first church, or “meeting house,” which served as the center for both religious and civil activity, including compulsory church attendance in the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony. Over the years, the town has seen its meeting and government locales move, transitioning from the first church to the “old” Town Hall, now recognized as an Historical Architectural Monument, reflecting a sustained commitment to its civic and historical structures. Markers along the old Boston Post Road and remnants of early mills along the Assabet River tributaries commemorate historical events and the former boom and subsequent decline of early industries like textile manufacturing.

Today, Northborough has transformed into a primarily residential area, serving as a suburban home for commuters to Boston and Worcester, while also hosting a burgeoning research and development-oriented industrial park. The town operates under a home rule charter with a government structure featuring a five-member elected Select Board and an open Town Meeting of registered voters, demonstrating a persistent “grass roots” approach to governance. The community is generally considered an affluent, sparse suburban area with highly-rated public schools, making it a desirable place to live. Recent initiatives reflect a modern, environmentally-conscious approach, such as new rules to divert mattresses and textiles from the trash stream for recycling and reuse. The preservation of its past is evident through the Northborough Historical Society and new historical markers, like one commemorating a significant Native American trail that once passed through the town, bridging the past and present landscape.