Medford

Medford, Massachusetts
—  City  —
Seal
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°25′06″N 71°06′24″W / 42.41833°N 71.10667°W / 42.41833; -71.10667
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Middlesex
Settled	1630
Incorporated	1892
Government
- Type	Mayor-council city
- Mayor	Michael J. McGlynn
Area
- Total	8.6 sq mi (22.4 km2)
- Land	8.1 sq mi (21.1 km2)
- Water	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2)
Elevation	14 ft (4 m)
Population (2007)
- Total	55,565
- Density	6,859.9/sq mi (2,633.4/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code	02153, 02155, 02156
Area code(s)	781 / 339
FIPS code	25-39835
GNIS feature ID	0612778
Website	www.medford.org

Medford is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States, on the Mystic River, just a few miles north of Boston. In the 2000 census, Medford's population was 55,765. It is the home of Tufts University.

History

1600s

Medford was settled in 1630 as part of Charlestown, when Thomas Dudley referred to it as "Mistick" (a name which persisted for many decades), which his party renamed "Meadford".^[1] In 1634, the land north of the Mystic River became the private plantation of former Governor Matthew Cradock; across the river was Ten Hills Farm, which belonged to John Winthrop, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony.^[2] The name may have come from a description of the "meadow by the ford" in the Mystic River, or from two locations that Cradock may have been familiar with in England: the hamlet of Mayford or Metford in Staffordshire near Caverswall, or from the parish of Maidford or Medford (now Towcester, Northamptonshire).^[3]

In 1637, the first bridge (a toll bridge) across the Mystic River was built at the site of the present-day Cradock Bridge, near Medford Square. It would be the only bridge across the Mystic until 1787, and as such became a major route for traffic coming into Boston from the north (though ferries and fords were also used).^[4]

Until 1656, all of northern Medford was owned by Cradock his heirs, or Edward Collins. Medford was governed as a "peculiar" or private plantation. As the land began to be divided among several people from different families, the new owners began to meet and make decisions locally and increasingly independently from the Charlestown town meeting. In 1674, a Board of Selectmen was elected, in 1684, the colonial legislature granted the ability to raise money independently, and in 1689, a representative to the legislature was chosen. The town got its own religious meeting room in 1690, and a secular meeting house in 1696.^[4]

1700s and 1800s

The land south of the Mystic River was known as "Mistick Field". It was transferred from Charlestown to Medford in 1754.^[5] This grant also included the "Charlestown Wood Lots" (the Medford part of the Middlesex Fells), and part of what was at the time Woburn (now Winchester).^[6] Parts of Medford were transferred to Charlestown in 1811, Winchester in 1850 ("Upper Medford"), and Malden in 1879. Additional land was transferred to Medford from Malden (1817), Everett (1875), and Malden (1877) again.^[3][7]

The population of Medford went from 230 in 1700 to 1,114 in 1800. After 1880, the population rapidly expanded, reaching 18,244 by 1900.^[8] Farmland was divided into lots and sold to build residential and commercial buildings, starting in the 1840s and 1850s; government services expanded with the population (schools, police, post office) and technological advancement (gas lighting, electricity, telephones, railways).^[7] Tufts University was chartered in 1852.

Medford was incorporated as a city in 1892^[9] and was a center of industry, including the manufacture of brick^[10] and tile, rum,^[11] Medford Crackers, and clipper ships.^[12]

Transportation

During the 1600s, a handful of major public roads (High Street, Main Street, Salem Street, "the road to Stoneham", and South Street) served the population, but the road network started a long-term expansion in the 1700s.^[13] The Medford Turnpike Company was incorporated in 1803, but turned what is now Mystic Avenue over to the city in 1866. The Andover Turnpike Company was incorporated in 1805, but turned what is now Forest Street and Fellsway West over to Medford in 1830.^[7]

Other major commercial transportation projects included the Middlesex Canal by 1803,^[14] the Boston and Lowell Railroad in West Medford in the 1830s, and the Boston and Maine Railroad to Medford Center in 1847.

A horse-powered street railway began running to Somerville and Charlestown in 1860. The street railway network expanded in the hands of various private companies, and went electric in the late 1890s, when trolleys to Everett and downtown Boston were available.^[7] Streetcars were converted to buses in the 1900s. Interstate 93 was constructed between 1956 and 1963.^[15]

Gypsy moth

In 1868, a French astronomer and naturalist, Leopold Trouvelot, was attempting to breed a better silkworm using Gypsy moths. Several of the moths escaped from his home, at 27 Myrtle Street, which no longer exists. Within ten years, the insect had denuded the vegetation in the neighborhood. It spread over North America.^{[citation needed]}

Holiday songs

In a tavern and boarding house on High Street (Simpson's Tavern) in the late 19th century, local resident James Pierpont wrote "Jingle Bells" after watching a sleigh race from Medford to Malden. Another local resident, Lydia Maria Child (1802–1880), made a poem out of the trip across town to her grandparents' house, now the classic song "Over the River and Through the Woods".

Other notables

1790 bird's-eye view from Bunker Hill of the "Malden Bridge" across the Mystic River, with Medford in the background.

Medford was home to Fannie Farmer, author of one of the world's most famous cookbooks—as well as James Plimpton, the man credited with the 1863 invention of the first practical four-wheeled roller skate, which set off a roller craze that quickly spread across the United States and Europe.

Amelia Earhart lived in Medford, while working as a social worker in 1925.

"The Black Dahlia", the infamous Hollywood murder victim, was born in Hyde Park (the southernmost neighborhood of the city of Boston, Massachusetts) but raised in Medford before going to the West Coast looking for fame.

The Peter Tufts house (350 Riverside Ave.) is thought to be the oldest all-brick building in New England. Another important site is the "Slave Wall" on Grove Street, built by "Pomp," a slave owned by the prominent Brooks family.

Medford has sent more than its share of athletes to the National Hockey League; Shawn Bates, though born in Melrose, MA grew up in Medford, as did Keith Tkachuk, Mike Morrison and Joe Sacco. Former Red Sox Pitcher Bill Monbouquette grew up in Medford.

Medford is home to some of New England's most well-known bakeries and Italian restaurants and delis.

Medford was home to Michael Bloomberg, American businessman, philanthropist, and the founder of Bloomberg L.P., who is currently serving as the Mayor of New York City. Mayor Bloomberg attended Medford High School and resided in Medford until after he graduated from college. His mother remains a resident of Medford.

In Medford is located the only cryobank of amniotic stem cells in the United States, built by Biocell Center, a biotechnology company led by Giuseppe Simoni.

Medford is an excellent place to view the Mystic River on a fall eve.

Medford and the law

Medford is home to some famous crimes:

• A few crooked officers of the Medford Police and MDC^{[clarification needed]} forces pulled off one of the biggest bank robberies and jewel heists in world history in 1980, robbing the Depositors Trust bank over the Memorial Day weekend. The book The Cops Are Robbers: A Convicted Cop's True Story of Police Corruption is based upon this event.^{[citation needed]}
• An admitted Mob execution by Somerville's Irish Winter Hill Gang of Joe Notarangeli took place at the "Pewter Pot" cafe in Medford Square.^{[16][citation needed]}

Geography

Medford is located at 42°25′12″N 71°6′29″W / 42.42°N 71.10806°W / 42.42; -71.10806 (42.419996, −71.107942).^[17]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.6 square miles (22.4 km²), of which, 8.1 square miles (21.1 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (5.79%) is water.

A park called the Middlesex Fells Reservation¹ straddles the city's northern boundary. This 2,060-acre (8 km²) preserve is shared by Medford with the municipalities of Winchester, Stoneham, Melrose, Malden and Arlington. The Mystic River flows roughly west to southeast through the middle of the city.

Neighborhoods

People from Medford often identify themselves with a particular neighborhood.

• West Medford
  • Brooks Estates
• North Medford (a.k.a. The Heights, North, or Fulton Heights)
• Wellington
  • Station Landing
  • Glenwood
• Medford Square
• South Medford
• Medford Hillside
  • Tufts University (includes College Hill, South Medford)
• Lawrence Estates

Demographics

At one time the majority of Medford's population were Italian American families, many of whom lived in the South Medford neighborhood of the city. Irish-Americans also are a strong presence in the city and live in all areas. West Medford, the most affluent of Medford's many neighborhoods, was once the bastion of some of Boston's elite families—including the Brooks family, in-laws to the Adams family—and is also home to an historic African-American neighborhood that dates to the Civil War.^{[citation needed]}

As of the census^[18] of 2000, there were 55,765 people, 22,067 households, and 13,505 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,851.3 people per square mile (2,645.1/km²). There were 22,687 housing units at an average density of 2,787.3/sq mi (1,076.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.45% White, 6.10% African American, 0.11% Native American, 3.87% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 2.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.59% of the population.

There were 22,067 households out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,476, and the median income for a family was $62,409. Males had a median income of $41,704 versus $34,948 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,707. About 4.1% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

Medford has three Public Access television stations: TV3, Channel 15 (educational access) and Channel 16 (governmental or municipal access).

Government

Local Government

• Michael J. McGlynn, Mayor
• Edward P. Finn, City Clerk

Transportation

Numerous Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus lines go through Medford. On Medford's east side, Wellington station on the Orange Line provides a connection to Boston and the entire rapid transit system. On the west side, the Lowell Commuter Rail Line stops in West Medford Square.

Discussion of bringing the Green Line into Medford, as is mandated by environmental mitigation provisions of the Big Dig project,^[19] is ongoing. On February 2, 2009, the state formally endorsed extending the Green Line through Medford, terminating near the intersection of Boston Avenue and Mystic Valley Parkway (Massachusetts Route 16). As proposed, the terminus would not have parking facilities. The extension would serve an additional 10,000 potential Green Line riders.

Joseph's Limousine and Transportation (located in Medford) runs a bus line through the city, and also picks up passengers going to other parts of Greater Boston or out of state.

Interstate 93 travels roughly north-south through the city. State routes passing through Medford include 16, 28, 38, and 60

Points of interest

• Tufts University: Though mainly located in Medford, the Somerville-Medford border actually runs through Tufts' campus. The school employs many local residents and has many community service projects that serve the city, especially those run through the Leonard Carmichael Society and the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, the latter of which especially emphasizes public service in Tufts' host communities.
• Springstep, a nonprofit that hosts variety of dance and music classes, weekly social dances, and a six-part Performance Series. It is located across from City Hall.
• Amelia Earhart residence, 76 Brooks Street
• Former site of Fannie Farmer's house, corner of Paris & Salem Streets
• Grandfather's House
• Grace Church, designed by H. H. Richardson
• Gravity Research Foundation monument at Tufts University
• Isaac Royall House
• Jingle Bells historical marker, High Street
• Peter Tufts House
• Salem Street Burying Ground
• Outside The Lines Studio

Notable residents

• Edwin Adams, (1834-1877), stage comedian of the 19th century^[20]
• Lou Antonelli, science fiction writer
• Shawn Bates, professional hockey player, New York Islanders
• Jessica Biel, actress, resident while attending Tufts University.
• Michael Bloomberg, current mayor of New York City
• Dale Bozzio Lead singer of band Missing Persons, worked with Frank Zappa.
• David Brickman, former publisher of the Medford Daily Mercury, TV personality, and speechwriter to Massachusetts Governor John Volpe.
• Terri Lyne Carrington, jazz drummer
• Lydia Maria Child, anti-slave activist, writer of the poem "Over the River and Through the Woods"
• Martha Coakley, attorney general of the State of Massachusetts.
• Thayer David, successful TV and film character actor during 1950's, 60's, and 70's
• Amelia Earhart, pioneer aviatrix
• Fannie Farmer, culinary expert
• Frank Fontaine, comedian and singer
• Paul Geary former drummer of the hard rock band Extreme, music manager for acts such as Godsmack
• Colonel Edward Needles Hallowell, merchant and commander of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War
• John Honeycutt, TV producer for the Discovery Networks
• Robert Kelly, comedian, Tourgasm, Comedy Central
• Brian McGoff, Fetch with Ruff Ruffman cast member
• Laurel McGoff, actress and singer
• Maria Menounos, Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 1996, media personality (Entertainment Tonight), actress
• Bill Monbouquette, former Major League Baseball pitcher 1958-1968 (Red Sox, Tigers, Yankees)
• Priscilla Morrill, actress, played Edie Grant on the Mary Tyler Moore Show
• John Forbes Nash, Princeton professor, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics
• Julianne Nicholson, actress (Ally McBeal, Conviction)
• Mike Pagliarulo, former Major League Baseball player
• Jerry Pallotta, children's book author
• Edward L. Papazian, actor (IMDB listed), Japan
• James Pierpont, writer of "Jingle Bells"
• Ruth Posselt, classical violinist
• William Zebina Ripley, American economist and racial theorist
• Isaac Royall, Jr., 18th century benefactor of Harvard
• Joe Sacco, NHL Hockey player (Toronto, Anaheim, NY Islanders, Washington & Philadelphia)
• David Sacco, NHL Hockey player (Toronto & Anaheim)
• Elizabeth Short, aspiring starlet, brutally mutilated and murdered, dubbed the "Black Dahlia" by the press
• Clifford Shull, Nobel Prize winning American physicist
• Michael F. Skerry, political figure, Speaker, Massachusetts House of Representatives
• Paul Theroux, author
• Keith Tkachuk, NHL Hockey player (Winnipeg, Phoenix, St. Louis & Atlanta)
• Ed Tryon, halfback at Colgate University, elected to College Football Hall of Fame in 1963

See also

• Blessing of the Bay
• List of Registered Historic Places in Medford, Massachusetts

References

Further reading

1852 map of Boston area showing Medford and rail lines.

• 1871 Atlas of Massachusetts. by Wall & Gray.Map of Massachusetts. Map of Middlesex County.
• 1880 Map of Medford, Bird's Eye View by C.H Brainard.
• History of the Town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts by Charles Brooks, published 1855, 576 pages.
• History of Middlesex County, Volume II, p. 158 etc. (Medford, by W. H. Whitmore). 1880, published by Estes and Lauriat; edited by Samual Adams Drake.

External links

• Friends of the Medford Family Network website
• City Hall's website
• [http://www.mustanghalloffame.com Mustang Hall of Fame
• Medford High School Mustang Football
• Medford Transcript, newspaper
• InsideMedford.com, online newspaper
• City Hall's Official Histories
• Medford History by local schools
• Medford Genealogy by Sharon Guzik
• Medford Health Matters
• Medford Historical Society
• Medford Historical Commission
• Middlesex Fells, 2,060-acre (8 km²) Natural Reservation
• [1]

• Medford, Massachusetts is at coordinates 42°25′12″N 71°06′29″W / 42.419996°N 71.107942°W / 42.419996; -71.107942 (Medford, Massachusetts)Coordinates: 42°25′12″N 71°06′29″W / 42.419996°N 71.107942°W / 42.419996; -71.107942 (Medford, Massachusetts)

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