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Medford

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About Medford


Medford is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States, on the Mystic River, 3.2 miles northwest of downtown Boston. In the 2010 U.S. Census, Medford’s population was 56,173. It is the home of Tufts University.

A park called the Middlesex Fells Reservation, to the north, is partly within the city. This 2,060-acre (8 km2) preserve is shared by Medford with the municipalities of Winchester, Stoneham, Melrose, and Malden. The Mystic River flows roughly west to southeast through the middle of the city.

Medford was settled in 1630 as part of Charlestown. The area was originally called “Mistick” by Thomas Dudley (a name which persisted for many decades), which his party renamed “Meadford”. 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. The name may have come from a description of the “meadow by the ford” in the Mystic River, or from two locations in England that Cradock may have known: the hamlet of Mayford or Metford in Staffordshire near Caverswall, or from the parish of Maidford or Medford (now Towcester, Northamptonshire).

In 1637, the first bridge (a toll bridge) across the Mystic River was built at the site of the present-day Cradock Bridge, which carries Main Street into 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). The bridge would be rebuilt in 1880 and 1909.

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.

The land south of the Mystic River was known as “Mistick Field”. It was transferred from Charlestown to Medford in 1754. 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). 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.

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. 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). Tufts University was chartered in 1852 and the Crane Theological School at Tufts opened in 1869.

Medford was incorporated as a city in 1892 and was a center of industry, including the manufacture of brick and tile, rum, Medford Crackers, and clipper ships such as the White Swallow and the Kingfisher, both built by Hayden & Cudworth.

During the 17th century, 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 18th century. 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.

Other major commercial transportation projects included the Middlesex Canal by 1803, 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. Streetcars were converted to buses in the 20th century. Interstate 93 was constructed between 1956 and 1963.

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. Within ten years, the insect had denuded the vegetation in the neighborhood. It spread over North America.

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”.

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.

George Luther Stearns, an American industrialist and one of John Brown’s Secret Six. His passion for the abolitionist cause shaped his life, bringing him into contact with the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Ralph Waldo Emerson and starting The Nation magazine. He was given the rank of major by Massachusetts Governor John Andrew and spent most of the Civil War recruiting for the 54th and 55th Massachusetts regiments and the 5th cavalry.

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

Elizabeth Short, the victim of an infamous Hollywood murder and who became known as The Black Dahlia, 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. The Isaac Royall House, which once belonged to one of Harvard Law School’s founders, Isaac Royall, Jr., is a National Historic Landmark and a local history museum. The house was used by Continental Army troops, including George Washington and John Stark, during the American Revolutionary War.

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, David Sacco, and Joe Sacco. Former Red Sox pitcher Bill Monbouquette grew up in Medford.

Medford was home to Michael Bloomberg, American businessman, philanthropist, and the founder of Bloomberg L.P.. He was the Mayor of New York City from 2002-2013. Mayor Bloomberg attended Medford High School and resided in Medford until after he graduated from college at Johns Hopkins University. His mother remained a resident of Medford until her death in 2011.

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

Content courtesy of Wikipedia.org

Medford Homes for Sale

Live in this stunning luxury penthouse with majestic views of the Boston skyline,conveniently located just minutes from downtown. You will be awed when you step out of a direct elevator, key access, to into a spacious, meticulously designed,open concept living that boasts one of the largest penthouse living spaces in the greater Boston area at 7700 sq ft. Each room of the home opens up to the 12,000 sq ft rooftop deck with breathtaking 360 degree views of downtown Boston. This unique penthouse boasts 3 generous bedrooms, 3.5 exquisite bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, a study & office, wet bar, glass enclosed sun room, and a 600 sq ft custom closet. It also includes 4 deeded parking spaces and full access to a gym, swimming pool, courts, and a clubhouse for special events. $2,900,000 Active

3920 Mystic Valley Parkway PH Medford, Massachusetts

3 Beds 4 Baths 7,700 Sq Ft

Welcome home to one of the most beautiful homes in Medford! Own a piece of history with all the modern amenities as you step into this grand Queen Ann Victorian located in highly sought after Lawrence Estates.  This home is NEWLY renovated inside and out. Step into your front foyer off a cozy porch and gaze at original oak woodwork and inviting fireplace. This home has 3 fireplaces! High end appliances and a white Carrera marble island make this kitchen a home chef’s dream.  Step outside onto a mahogany deck overlooking a newly added inground infinity pool. The 2nd floor boasts a Master bedroom with Jacuzzi, walk-in closets and two additional bedrooms. Another full bath, office, and enclosed porch complete the second level. The 3rd floor has 2 bedrooms plus a full bath with a magnificent turret.  Additionally, a separate APARTMENT with a full kitchen, bedroom and full bath.  Walking distance to Medford’s restaurants and growing business district with MBTA upgrades. $1,500,000 Active

75 Governors Ave Medford, Massachusetts

5 Beds 5 Baths 5,307 Sq Ft

Renovated Mansard Victorian in highly sought after West Medford. Well planned kitchen with S.S. appliances and breakfast bar, open plan dining/living room with gas fireplace. Enter the house from the multi vehicle driveway through a New England mudroom and flex space perfect for home study spaces. There is also a ½ bath on this level and access to a finished basement play area or bonus room with an additional ½ bath. The second level features the Primary bedroom with massive amounts of closet space and en-suite bath, as well as an additional bedroom and full bath. Top floor has 2 more generous bedrooms and another full bath. The exterior of the home has classic covered front porch, a paved driveway, stone patio and back deck that overlooks newly seeded level lot. Minutes from West Medford Sq. and the commuter rail. This thoughtfully designed home checks all the boxes for today’s modern living! $1,400,000 Active

12 Fairfield Street Medford, Massachusetts

4 Beds 5 Baths 3,216 Sq Ft

A must-see new construction building for home owners: 519 on Broadway. It's located at Magoun Square, Somerville,  easy access to Green-Line extension station at only 5 minutes. Minuts to Kendall Sq, Harvard Sq and Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Highway 93. 55 units combine with 1 bedroom, 1 bedroom plus study room and 2 bedrooms. All units are equipped with open kitchens, unique walnut wood floors, white quartz countertops, and telephone-controlled steel smart appliances can make your life more interesting and even better. In-unit laundary, efficient heating and cooling system, each unit has at least one parking space. The building provides consignment staff, gym, club room, shared workplace, and rooftop viewing platform with a 360-degree panoramic view, which is very suitable for overlooking the city of Boston. Some units have balcony or private terrace. Solar power supply in public areas to reduce condo fee costs. $1,350,000 Extended

87 medford PH4 Medford, Massachusetts

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,647 Sq Ft

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