This is the official Town of Holden, MA page. Holden is located in the beautiful rolling hills of central Massachusetts, just north of Worcester, and about forty miles west of Boston. The town encompasses approximately thirty-six square miles, a good portion of which is protected open space, watershed and recreational areas. Like all Massachusetts communities, Holden has changed over the years. Originally a rural farming area, the town began to take on a new look in the early 1800s. Villages began to develop throughout the town around textile mills that were taking advantage of the water power provided by the local streams and rivers. Between 1860 and 1900 villages such as Chaffin, Unionville, Lovellville, Quinapoxet, Dawsonville, North Woods, Bryantville, Springdale, Eagleville, and Jefferson were known to all residents. The areas around these villages were becoming home to increasing numbers of immigrant families who worked in the mills. Following World War II, Holden began to transition into its current status as a “bedroom community” to the surrounding urban areas. In June of 1951, Holden became one of the first communities in the state to adopt a Selectman – Town Manager form of government. In 1954, Holden became part of the first regional school district in Massachusetts.