Historical Massachusetts Cities and Towns

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When thinking of states with the most incredible histories, few come to mind more than Massachusetts. Massachusetts was the landing place of the Mayflower and the pilgrims and played a pivotal role in shaping modern America. While hundreds of years later, much has changed, the history of Massachusetts is still present in many of the artifacts and museums within the state.

Let’s look at some Massachusetts destinations with the most interesting histories.

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Boston

Boston is Massachusetts’s largest state and is one of the nation’s most defining cities. Boston was initially settled by the Puritans in the 17th century and was instrumental during the Revolutionary War. Today, you can still find many monuments and artifacts in the city that commemorate its legacy. Boston also has great museums like the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum.

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Watertown

Watertown is a mid-sized city that is part of the greater Boston area. It was settled at a similar time to Boston and has also played an important industrial role throughout its history. Watertown was a significant weapons producer from the early 19th century through World War II. It was also an important land for two Native American tribes, the Pequosette and Nonantum people, who settled along the riverbanks of this town nearly 6,000 years ago.

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Newburyport

Newburyport is a coastal city in the greater Boston area that was a historic seaport for early Europeans visiting the United States. It was settled in 1635 and became an important hub for shipbuilding and merchants. Today, Newburyport has streets lined with many colonial buildings and a classic New England charm.

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Marblehead

Marblehead is a picturesque New England town situated along the North Shore. It has a classic colonial New England architectural style and a gorgeous coast that makes it appealling to visitors. There are still many standing 17th and 18th-century buildings in the town, and the harbor has been a haven for anglers for hundreds of years.

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Plymouth

Plymouth is a town on Cape Cod Bay that played a monumental role in U.S. history. It is the area where both the Mayflower and the first pilgrims arrived. Plymouth Rock is a boulder in Pilgrim Memorial State Park, which is thought to be the precise place where the pilgrims first landed on the shore. There are numerous monuments and landmarks here commemorated to the pilgrims.

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Weymouth

Weymouth is a city home to around 57,000 residents that was settled in the early 17th century. It is widely considered to be the second oldest town in Massachusetts, although early settlers found the town inhospitable and dangerous. Today, the city’s history lives on through organizations like the Weymouth Historical Society.

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Somerville

Somerville is a city along the northwest border of Boston that was founded in the 19th century after being settled in the 17th century. Today, this city has a dense urban feel and is well-known for the numerous squares throughout the town. It is a modern city with affluent residents and fascinating history.

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Concord

Concord is a Massachusetts city that has experienced many events since it was founded in 1635. It was an important part of the Revolutionary War, with a significant battle within the town’s limits. There are monuments related to this important time in American history at the Minute Man National Historical Park. It has also been home to famed creators like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.

Image source: Minute Man National Historical Park (Facebook)

Gloucester

Gloucester is a Cape Ann coastal community with a longstanding maritime legacy. It was an important location for fishers and sailors, and the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial is a famous monument to the thousands of boaters that lost their lives in the city’s waters over the years. It is a lively and scenic town on the water with a rich history.

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Duxbury

Duxbury is a coastal community with some of the country’s tastiest oysters and seafood. In days past, Duxbury was one of the most important shipbuilding hubs of the New World. Its earliest residents have inhabited the town for more than 10,000 years. The Duxbury Rural and Historical Society has preserved many artifacts and relics from this town’s history.

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