The Town of Carlisle was
frist settled in 1650
and became a District in 1754
The town borders Concord, Bedford, Chelmsford, Westford, and Billerica in Massachusetts. Carlisle has no industry, lots of open spaces, town conservation land, wet lands, and a state forest with an operation dairy farm.
Incorporated in 1805, Carlisle today is a
community of 4,800 residents. Carlisle's unique features include its rural appearance and
the lack of industrial parks, apartment complexes, condominiums, traffic lights, and fast
food. Approximately 25% of the town's near 10,000 acres
is protected conservation
land.
First settled in 1650, Carlisle was twice a district before becoming a town. The first district was formed in 1754 entirely from the northerly part of Concord; but because the inhabitants could not agree on the location for building a meetinghouse for religious worship, the territory as returned to Concord in 1756.
In 1758, Timothy Wilkins gave 1.5 acres of land for building such a
meetinghouse, which was erected in 1760 just northwest of the present First Religious
Society in Carlisle Center. This was the spark needed to establish the second district of
Carlisle during the Revolution on April 28, 1780 from portions of Concord, Acton,
Chelmsford, and Billerica. At that time there were ninety dwellings and one hundred two
families.
Early
industries other than farming included grist, fulling (mica) and saw mills. Later came
granite and copper mining and the cranberry bog on Curve street which still operates
today.
In
the modern times of today, Carlisle, in a joint effort with the nearby town
of Westford, has a fall fair called "Pig
'N' Pepper." This annual event is a wonderful experience in local
food and crafts with 
special
emphasis on barbeque delights.
With the many items sold during the entertainment, contests and pony rides,
fair goers bought both dark and light Carlisle Honey.
Pig and Pepper, October 9-10,
1999
For more information on the town: www.carlisle.org