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Ayer is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. Originally part of Groton, it was incorporated in 1871 and became a major commercial railroad junction. The town was home to Fort Devens, an army camp established in the Civil War, until its closure in 1994. The population was 7,287 at the 2000 census. For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Ayer, please see the articles on Ayer (CDP) and Fort Devens. History
Ayer's history dates back to 1667, when the first mill in the agricultural community was built. The settlement sits on what the Nipmuc Indians called Nainacocius. A brook remains with that name. Originally part of Groton, the community was initially called Groton Junction or South Groton. The town of Ayer was incorporated in 1871, named in honor of Dr. James Cook Ayer, a prominent resident of Lowell who provided the funding for the recently restored Ayer Town Hall. The town's growth was influenced by a period of rapid development of railroad transportation. Though only 9.5 square miles in area, the town became a major junction for both east-west and north-south rail lines, and developed into an important commercial center oriented towards the rail industry. During the American Civil War an army camp, Camp Stevens, was established here; that camp later became known as Camp Devens, and eventually as Fort Devens. The presence of thousands of military and civilian personnel on the base shifted Ayer's commercial development towards meeting their needs until Fort Devens was closed in 1994. The town today is a reflection of its history. Within its relatively small area Ayer boasts numerous industries, a historical downtown unique to the region, and modern commuter rail service to Boston. Research Tips
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