Lunenburg is a semi-rural community located in northern Worcester County.
Three water bodies account for somewhat of a clustered approach to the
Town's historical development. Lake Whalom and Whalom Amusement Park
delineate the Whalom District from the remainder of Lunenburg. This
District was developed as a housing base for many factory workers working
in the mills and factories of Leominster and Fitchburg. In many ways the
characteristics of the Whalom District more closely reflect characteristics
of these cities than of the rest of Lunenburg.
The Hickory Hills area of Town, around Hickory Hills Lake, was developed as
a private community comprised largely of vacation cottages. The third body
of water to be mentioned is Shirley Reservoir; a public water body also
developed with mainly vacation cottages that have now been modified to
year-round residences.
The remainder of Lunenburg which originally consisted largely of farms and
orchards has slowly developed into large lot single family housing.
Commercial and industrial development is permitted in several areas of town
primarily along the two major arteries (Routes 2A and 13), and the Town's
peripheries, due largely to the close proximity of Leominster's and
Fitchburg's sewer and water systems.
