Like many small towns in New England, Ayer was initially part of a bigger city before it broke off onto its own. It became independent in 1871 and quickly grew to be a major commercial railroad junction. The town continued to thrive thanks to this railroad development, and Ayer became home to a training camp for Massachusetts volunteers during the American Civil War.
Today, Ayer still has part of the industrial town look and feel as it’s home to several plants like Vitasoy and Pepsi. Residents love the historic downtown that is complete with many original buildings unique to the area. However, older buildings often have cracked foundations and small crevices, making it easy for unwanted pests to get inside.