In 1896, the Metropolitan District Commission chose the south branch of the Nashua River as the storage site for Boston's water supply and the fate of West Boylston, and several other towns, was changed forever. In 1897, the MDC evicted 1,700 West Boylstonites who lived near the town's center and began razing 6 mills, 8 schools, 4 churches, one hotel and 360 homes to prepare for the 65 billion gallon reservoir. The entire Beaman Graveyard was moved to the center of town. Buildings, some still in use today, were dragged through the streets. The old stone Baptist Church, built in 1892 and recently restored by the West Boylston Historical Commission is all of the old center that remains in its original place. Away from Route 12, West Boylston is dotted with well-kept sub-divisions.

Most of West Boylston's residents work in Worcester or Worcester County, but I-190 passes through town giving easy access to Routes 9, 20, I-90 and I-495 and Boston is just 40 miles away. Being a suburb of Worcester means easy access to the city's cultural and commercial features. Some town residents say that West Boylston is the best of both worlds because it is a non-urban environment just a stone's throw from the city.

West Boylston Mass is located in Central Massachusetts, bordered by Worcester and Shrewsbury on the south, Holden on the west, Sterling on the north, and Boylston and the Wachusett Reservoir on the east. West Boylston is about 7 miles north of Worcester, 18 miles south of Fitchburg, 41 miles west of Boston.