History of Reading, Massachusetts, USA

Journey back in time to Reading, Massachusetts, USA

• 1639 - Reading is settled
  
  Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  
  
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  The Old Parker Tavern
  103 Washington Street
  Reading, Mass.
  Built in 1694
  
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  Grouard House, Reading, Mass.
  Gen. Brooks drilled the Minute Men of 1776 in the kitchen of this house and Lafayette on his second visit to this country stopped here. The first Missionary to India and the first Missionary to the Sandwich Islands... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1845 - READING. [Pop. 2,193. Inc. 1769.]
  Reading was set off from Lynn in Essex county, and was once joined to South Reading, which latter is really the older settlement.
  
  The chief...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1848 - Reading
  The town of Reading was incorporated in 1644. It is believed that the name of this town ought to have been applied to the town of South Reading, as th...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1854 - The Destructive Gale - Its Effects at the East.
  ...At South Reading, a coal shed was turned over, which fell upon the Eastern telegraph line, demolishing it for some distance. The shed took fire fro...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1854 - Reading
  Reading, a post-township in Middlesex co., Massachusetts, 13 miles N. from Boston, intersected by the Boston and Maine railroad. It contains 2 thrivin...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1857 - DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO IN READING, MASS.
  Boston, Friday, Aug. 14.
  Last night a tornado passed through the town of Reading and vicinity. It was nearly half a mile in width. Several dwellings ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1890 Reading Massachusetts
  Reading is an old and pleasant town in the extreme eastern of Middlesex County, 12½ miles north of Boston on the Western Division of the Boston and Ma...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1895 - Reading
  Reading, a post-village in Reading township, Middlesex co., Mass., on the Boston & Maine Railroad, 12 miles N. by W. of Boston, and 15 miles S.E. of L...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Main Street
  
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  The Old Slab City Mill
  
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  Bird's Eye View from Bear Hill, of Reading, Mass.
  
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  The Boston & Maine Railroad Station, Reading, Mass., 1905
  
• 1906
  Reading, a banking post-village in Reading township (town), Middlesex co., Mass., on the Boston and Maine R., 12 miles N. by W. of Boston. It has manu...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Highland School, 1908
  
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  Old South Church, Reading, Mass.
  
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  High School
  
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  West Side, Main St., Reading, Mass.
  
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  New Federal Post Office, 1929
  
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  First Congregational Church, 1939