Sterling, MA

Sterling is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,924 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area. Sterling is known for its picturesque downtown district and its many historic homes and buildings. The town's name comes from the 18th century English silver coin sterling, which was worth more than gold coins of the same weight.

The first settlers arrived in Sterling in 1630. The town grew slowly until the mid-19th century when it began to experience rapid growth as a result of industrialization and immigration. By 1850, Sterling had a population of 2,000 and had become an important center for textile manufacturing. In 1892, Sterling became Middlesex County's first municipality to be electrified by overhead wires.

Today, Sterling is still an important center for textiles and other manufacturing industries but has also developed into a thriving tourist destination thanks to its picturesque downtown district and abundance of historic homes and buildings. Some of the most notable attractions in Sterling include the Old County Courthouse (built in 1798), which is now used as a museum; Stony Brook Mill (built in 1795), which is now used as a museum; and the Governor Winthrop House (built in 1727), which is now used as a museum and hotel.