History of Medford, Massachusetts, USA

1630 - Medford is settled and incorporated
Settled on the "Ford" by Meadow
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Medford
Medford, Massachusetts
Middlesex county. This beautiful town is situated at the head of navigation on Mystic river, 5 miles N.W. from Boston and 14 E. by S. from Concord. The Boston and Lowell rail-road, and Middlesex canal pass through the town. The finest ships that float on the ocean, are built here: during the five years preceding April 1, 1837, sixty vessels were built, the tonnage of which was 24,195 tons: value $1,112,970. There are also manufactures of leather, spirits, linseed oil, bricks, boots, shoes, ploughs, hats and hat bodies. The soil of the town is very fertile, and in a high state of cultivation. The business of the town is much associated with the city, and many delightful country seats are scattered over and decorate the grounds improved as a farm by Governor Winthrop in 1633.

Winter Hill, memorable as the place of encampment of General Burgoyne and his army, after their capture at Saratoga, is in this town. It is 125 feet above the tide water and presents a... Read MORE...

1845 - MEDFORD. [Fop. 2,478. Inc. 1630.]
Medford, before it was settled by the English, bore the Indian name of the River Mystic, on which it is situated. It was originally
spelled Meadford.

The Mystic which is here wide enough to admit of ship building on its banks, becomes a very narrow stream above the main village.

After the capture of General Burgoyne's army, at Saratoga,
they were stationed at Winter Hill on the borders of this town.

John Brooks, an active officer of the Revolution, and a Grovernor of
Massachusetts, lived and died here.

Medford has always been celebrated for the excellence of its ship building. The other chief manufactures are hats and bricks.

Distance from Concord, 14 miles ; from Boston, 5.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1848 - Medford
MEDF0RD is one of the oldest towns in Massachusetts, being incorporated in 1630. Gov. Dudley, in his letter of March 12th, 1630. to the countess of Lincoln, speaking of the “dispertiori” of the settlers who had just arrived from England, says, “some of us upon Mistic, which we named Meadford." In Wood’s New England Prospect, printed in London in 1639, the author, in giving an account of the various settlements, notices Mystic or Medford in the following manner: "The next town is Mistic, which is three miles from Charlestown by land, and a league and a half by water. It is seated by the water side very pleasantly; there are not many houses as yet. At the head of this river are great and spacious ponds, whither the alewives press to spawn. This being a noted place for that kind of fish, the English resort thither to take them. On the west side of this river the Governor hath a farm, where he keeps most of his cattle. On the east side is Mr. Cradock's plantation, where he hath impaled a... Read MORE...

1854 - Medford
Medford, a flourishing post-township of Middlesex county, Massachusetts, on Mystic river, 5 miles N. from Boston. It is intersected by the Boston and Lowell railroad, and by the Middlesex canal. Pop., 3749.

Medford, a post-village in the above township, situated near its centre. It contains 4 churches and several stores.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

Medford Massachusetts, 1890
Medford is an ancient and charming suburban town in the southeastern part of Middlesex County, 5 miles northwest of Boston by the Medford Branch Railroad, which has stations at Glenwood, Park Street, and Medford village. Through the entire western section of the town runs the Boston and Lowell Railroad, having stations at College Hill, Medford Hillside, West Medford and Mystic; both roads belonging to the Boston and Maine Railroad system. Medford (village), West Medford, College Hill, Glenwood and Wellington are the post-offices. Other villages are East Medford, South Medford and Medford Steps.

The boundaries of the town are Winchester and Stoneham on the north, Melrose, Malden and Everett on. the east, Somerville on the south and southwest, and Arlington and Winchester on the west. The assessed area is 4,654 acres, of which 429 acres are forest. A considerable portion of the north part of the town is included in that much-esteemed tract of wilderness known as "Middlesex Fells."... Read MORE...

1892 - Medford is incorporated as a city

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1895 - Medford
Medford, a post-village in Medford township, Middlesex co., Mass., on the Mystic River, on the Boston & Lowell Railroad, and on the Boston & Maine Railroad, Medford Branch, 5 miles N.N.W. of Boston. It contains 7 churches, a high school, a town house, 1 or 2 newspaper offices, a savings-bank, and Tufts College (Universalist), which was organized in 1855 and has 16 instructors and a library of 13,000 volumes. (See College Hill). Medford has manufactures of rum, bricks, and buttons. Pop. of the township in 1890, 11,079. Mystic Pond, which is on its border, supplies Charlestown with water.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1895 - TROLLEY CARS CAME TOGETHER. SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT NEAR BOSTON.
Medford, Mass., Dec. 21. - A Medford-bound electric car, leaving Boston at 6 o'clock, ran into an inward-bound car that left Medford Square at 6:30 this morning. There was a dense fog prevailing at the time. The cars came together with a crash that demolished the fronts of both.

The following were injured:
BUNNELL, WILLIAM H., aged thirty-five; right leg broken and body bruised.
BUTTKIN, LOUIS H., bruised and cut.
CARLSON, THOMAS H., compound fracture of the right ankle; injured internally; may die.
GESNOLD, ARNOLD R., right leg crushed.
KEEFE, MARY, badly bruised.
LEMAR, JOSEPH, cut by glass.

The police were notified, and they, with an ambulance of physicians, were quickly on the spot, and, with the aid of citizens, the wreck was cleared and the injured persons taken out. Those badly injured were taken to the hospital, while others were removed to their homes.
The New York Times
New York, New York
December 22, 1895

1897 - SERIOUS RUNAWAY.
Two Daughters of Col. Hallowell Escape With Slight Injuries.
There was a serious runaway accident on the new Mystic Valley Parkway in West Medford at 3:15 o'clock Thursday afternoon, and as a result the two young daughters of Col. Norwood P. Hallowell of Mystic Street, that city, are at their home much shaken up and considerably bruised, and a valuable horse was so badly injured that he was shot by Park Officer John Powers.

The Hallowell girls were enjoying an afternoon's pleasure drive along the banks of the Mystic lakes, when the horse attached to their dog cart took fright from some unknown cause, and started at a fearful pace down the slight hill near the dam toward a mass of carriages and bicycles. The older girl, who was driving, held to the reins heroically, and did her best to stop the infuriated animal, but her efforts only seemed to make the horse more wild.

Suddenly the animal changed his tactics, and began to kick. The shafts were broken short off, the harness was... Read MORE...

1906
Medford, a city of Middlesex co., Mass., on the Mystic River and on the Boston and Maine R., 5 miles NNW. of Boston. It has several parks and contains a number of historical buildings, including the Craddock House, dating from 1634. The city has large print-works, a rum-distillery, and manufactures of felt boots, woollen goods, chemicals, etc. Tufts College (Universalist), founded in 1852, is located here. Pop. in 1900, 18,244.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Medford:
Tufts University Campus:

Take a stroll around the Tufts University campus. It's a beautiful setting with historic buildings and green spaces.

Mystic River Reservation:

Explore the Mystic River Reservation. It offers walking trails, scenic views, and a peaceful escape from the city buzz.

Medford Square:

Visit Medford Square, the city's downtown area. You'll find a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Royall House and Slave Quarters:

Step back in time at the Royall House and Slave Quarters, a museum that provides insight into the history of the region.

Middlesex Fells Reservation:

If you're a nature enthusiast, the Middlesex Fells Reservation is a must-visit. It's a large natural park with hiking trails and lakes.

Chevalier Theatre:

Check out a performance at the Chevalier Theatre. It hosts concerts, comedy shows, and other events.

Wright's Tower:

Hike up to Wright's Tower in Middlesex Fells. The panoramic views of the Boston skyline are worth ... Read MORE...