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62-575: Historically, the settlement of Essex County began at the oldest community there, the tiny seaport of Agawam (later renamed Ipswich, and not to be confused with present-day Agawam in Hampden County), and typically proceeded westward and northward along the Ipswich or its tributary creeks. When Middlesex County was formed in the Massachusetts Bay Colony , only Salem and Charlestown across

124-584: A campground, and a freshwater swimming beach. Other activities include horseback riding, camping, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and hiking. In September there is also an annual fishing tournament. Boxford State Forest is also located in town, and is home to the Sharpner's Pond Anti-Ballistic Missile Site . The Col. John Osgood House , a historic house , is also in North Andover. On September 13, 2018, several gas lines suffered leakage due to high pressure in

186-467: A family was $ 81,173. Males had a median income of $ 58,258 versus $ 44,265 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 33,828. About 7.7% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over. The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on the list are reflective if the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data

248-658: A gap from Ipswich road diverging southeasterly from the road and the south edge of the Turner Hill Golf Club to turn north and form the west border of the Julia Bird Reservation thence meanders north through settled Ipswich neighborhoods and directly through town center passing under MA 133 (County Road, aka. South Main Street) where it gradually begins widening until a mile beyond main Street it passes Nichols Field and

310-450: A mile south, gains volume draining all of Harold Parker State Forest in the tri-town corner of Andover, North Andover , and Middleton — excepting the few acres draining to Ipswich tributary, Boston Brook along the other side of MA 114 . Both tributary creeks enter and mingle with the Ipswich proper in Middleton , proceed south into northern Peabody , then loop northwards through

372-535: A proposal for a cannabis-growing and research facility in the former Lucent Technologies building, along the Merrimack River. The town meeting vote was 1,430 against having recreational marijuana facilities and 1,155 voted in favor. The growing and research facility was expected to bring in to the town $ 100 million over a 20-year period. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has

434-444: A relatively narrow, shallow channel that passes under Castle Hill and along Crane's Beach to the south. On the north, Sandy Point at the tip of Plum Island juts into the flow. In the days of sail, Bar Head, Bar Head Rocks, and Emerson Rocks posed some threat to sailing vessels trying to tack into or out of the estuary. The shallow waters often stranded vessels in storms, which would then be dismantled by severe breakers. The combination

496-628: A total area of 27.8 square miles (71.9 km ), of which 26.3 square miles (68.1 km ) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.7 km ), or 5.18%, is water. The town lies to the south of the Merrimack River , which makes up part of its northwestern boundary, along with the Shawsheen River . The northeastern quadrant of town is dominated by Lake Cochichewick , which is also bordered by the Osgood Hill Reservation, Weir Hill Reservation and

558-803: Is Elizabeth Warren (D), and its junior Senator is Ed Markey (D), both in office since 2013. North Andover has no mayor, but, until his death in 2006, William P McEvoy, the director of recreation, was known as the "unofficial mayor". North Andover is located within the Boston media market, and is served by the Eagle-Tribune newspaper. North Andover is home to its own school system. It has an early childhood center, five elementary schools (Atkinson Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Kittredge Elementary, Annie L. Sargent Elementary, Thomson Elementary), North Andover Middle School and North Andover High School . On May 16, 2017,

620-577: Is a county in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Massachusetts . At the 2020 census , the total population was 809,829, making it the third-most populous county in the state, and the seventy-eighth-most populous in the country . It is part of the Greater Boston area (the Boston – Cambridge – Newton , MA– NH Metropolitan Statistical Area ). The largest city in Essex County is Lynn . The county

682-1057: Is a complete track and field area and numerous tennis courts. North Andover's mascot is the Scarlet Knight and its colors are scarlet and black. It competes in the Merrimack Valley Conference and Division II of the MIAA . Its main rival is Andover, who it plays in the annual Thanksgiving Day football game. High school students from North Andover are also allowed to attend Greater Lawrence Technical School in Andover. There are two private schools in North Andover: Brooks School , and Saint Michael's Elementary School. The nearest private high schools include: Phillips Academy Andover (9–12), Austin Preparatory School (6–12), Central Catholic High School (9–12), which are located in

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744-417: Is attractive to canoeists and birders. In the swampy and wetland areas a wide variety of birds and smaller wildlife species can be seen. Drinking water for many communities is provided from Ipswich River. It is estimated that source of public drinking water for approximately 350,000 people comes from the river's watershed although most of these people live outside the area. There are some concerns about

806-409: Is from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Essex County is home to numerous libraries and schools, both public and private. School districts include: K-12: Secondary: Elementary: As of 2015, the county had total employment of 282,412. The largest employer in the county is Massachusetts General Hospital , with over 5,000 employees. Based on deposits in the county,

868-699: Is incorporated into towns or cities. Essex County includes the North Shore , Cape Ann , and the lower portions of the Merrimack Valley . These routes pass through Essex County: The Lawrence Municipal Airport and Beverly Municipal Airport are regional airports within the county; the nearest commercial airports are Logan Airport in Boston and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, NH. The MBTA commuter rail has two lines operating in Essex County:

930-468: Is joined by the left bank tributary Skug River — which originates in North Andover and Andover southwest of Boston Hill in a large Beaver Pond and marshland, situated north of Gray Road-jct.-Gray Street (very near the townlines of the two towns) where it crosses via culvert south of Rt. MA 125 and west of Rt. MA 114 (historically, and by street name, the Salem Turnpike ), and thence, about

992-560: Is land and 336 square miles (870 km ) (41%) is water. Essex County is adjacent to Rockingham County, New Hampshire to the north, the Atlantic Ocean (specifically the Gulf of Maine and Massachusetts Bay ) to the east, Suffolk County to the south, Middlesex County to the west and a very small portion of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire to the far north west in Methuen . All county land

1054-766: Is located in Lawrence, where the Lawrence stop along the Haverhill/Reading Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail lies (the line actually passes through the town along the Merrimack, but there is no stop). North Andover is also home to the Lawrence Municipal Airport , providing small aircraft service to the region. The nearest national service, at Logan International Airport and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport ,

1116-497: Is now northeastern Massachusetts for thousands of years prior to European colonization of the Americas . At the time of European arrival, Massachusett and Naumkeag people inhabited the area south of the Merrimack River and Pennacooks inhabited the area to the north. The Massachusett referred to the area that would later become North Andover as Cochichawick . The lands south of the Merrimack River around Lake Cochichewick and

1178-550: Is the oldest continually operated business in Massachusetts and among the oldest in the United States. Converse , the popular sneaker company, was headquartered in North Andover from 2002 to 2015. Residents of North Andover can purchase a summer pass to Steven's Pond where they can go swimming. Nearby Weir Hill offers trails for hiking, walking, biking, and views of the surrounding area and beyond. Many events are held at

1240-563: Is where Elbridge Gerry (who was born and raised in Marblehead ) created a legislative district in 1812 that gave rise to the word gerrymandering . Due to a confluence of floods, hurricanes, and severe winter storms, Essex County has had more disaster declarations than most other U.S. counties, from 1964 to 2016. From the founding of the Republican Party until the New Deal, Essex County

1302-578: Is within a thirty-mile ride of the town. As of the census of 2010, there were 28,352 people, 10,516 households, and 7,324 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,078.0 inhabitants per square mile (416.2/km ). There were 10,964 housing units at an average density of 416.9 per square mile (161.0/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 88.7% White , 1.78% African American , 0.09% Native American , 6.31% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 1.62% from other races , and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.93% of

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1364-487: The Charles River mouth and Boston harbor's inner estuary from Boston's much smaller hill dominated peninsula were older settlements. The upper river runs through and drains at least parts of Burlington, the lower river forms part of the borders between the towns of: The wide swamps along the river made it impossible to ford the stream anywhere east of Wilmington in colonial times. The only route north out of Boston to

1426-528: The Haverhill Line and the Newburyport Line , both of which go toward Boston. Close to Boston, MBTA buses also exist. The MVRTA is a bus company that connects cities within the Merrimack Valley portion of Essex County. Because of Essex County's rich history, which includes 17th century colonial history, maritime history spanning its existence, and leadership in the expansions of the textile industry in

1488-800: The Massachusetts State Police , based in Andover. North Andover lies in two districts, the Fourteenth Essex and Eighteenth Essex, in the Massachusetts House of Representatives , and the First Essex and First Essex and Middlesex in the Massachusetts Senate . North Andover is located within Massachusetts's 6th congressional district , and has been served by Representative Seth Moulton (D) since 2015. Massachusetts' senior Senator

1550-513: The Merrimack River , were annexed to Essex County. These communities had been part of Massachusetts' colonial-era Norfolk County (1643–1680). The remaining four towns within "Old" Norfolk County, which included Exeter and what is now Portsmouth , were transferred to the Province of New Hampshire . The Massachusetts-based settlements were then subdivided over the centuries to produce Essex County's modern composition of cities and towns. Essex County

1612-558: The Shawsheen River were set aside by the Massachusetts General Court in 1634 for the purpose of creating an inland plantation. The Cochichewick Plantation, as it was called, was purchased on May 6, 1646 when Reverend John Woodbridge , who had settled the land for the English, paid Massachusett sachem Cutshamekin six pounds and a coat for the lands. The plantation was then incorporated as Andover , most likely in honor of

1674-470: The open town meeting form of government, and is led by a five-member Select Board and a town manager, Melissa Rodrigues. The town has its own police and fire departments, EMS, public works, and a senior center. North Andover has no hospital, the nearest being Lawrence General Hospital. On the state level, the town is served by Essex County services, and is patrolled by the First Barracks of Troop A of

1736-652: The 19th century, the entire county has been designated the Essex National Heritage Area by the National Park Service . The following areas of national significance have also been preserved: As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 743,159 people, 285,956 households, and 188,005 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,508.8 inhabitants per square mile (582.6/km ). There were 306,754 housing units at an average density of 622.8 per square mile (240.5/km ). The racial makeup of

1798-494: The Lawrence border, with one exit within town and two more providing access to the town from Lawrence. The town lies along Massachusetts Route 114 , known as the "Salem Turnpike," and is also served by Route 125 and Route 133 , which are concurrent for much of their routes within town. The town is partially served by the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority bus line. The nearest train station

1860-570: The North Andover Green is a historic church building built in 1836. It was the 5th meetinghouse of the Puritan church congregation founded in 1645 in North Andover. In about 1836 the congregation chose to become a Unitarian church and commissioned this Gothic building. North Andover's development was varied, with much of the land along the Shawsheen and Merrimack being concerned with industry, and

1922-545: The Reas Pond Conservation Area. The town also is home to portions of Harold Parker State Forest, Boxford State Forest and the Charles W. Ward Reservation. There are many brooks, streams and ponds dotting the town. North Andover lies in the northwestern portion of Essex County along the Merrimack and Shawsheen Rivers. It is bordered by Andover to the southwest, Lawrence and Methuen to the northwest, Haverhill to

Ipswich River - Misplaced Pages Continue

1984-785: The Stevens House on Great Pond Road; the Faulkner House on Appleton Street; the Abiel Stevens House on Salem Street; the Parson Barnard House , which is a museum; a house on Andover Street near the intersection with Chickering Road; and the Carlton-Frie-Tucker House at 140 Mill Road. No house in North Andover has been scientifically dated by dendrochronology , so dates are based solely on stylistic elements, original deeds, and tradition. The North Parish Church on

2046-407: The age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.3% were non-families, and 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 40.4 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 64,153 and the median income for

2108-615: The annual September weekend event Trails & Sails, as well as other important regional partnership building projects like the Essex Heritage Scenic Byway, and the Border to Boston trail. The towns and cities of Essex County are listed below. North Andover, MA North Andover is a town in Essex County , Massachusetts , United States. At the 2020 census the population was 30,915. Native Americans inhabited what

2170-448: The area, connecting people to the places of Essex County, MA. The commission's mission is to promote and preserve the historic, cultural and natural resources of the ENHA by rallying community support around saving the character of the area. This is accomplished through the commission's projects and programs, which include Partnership Grant Program, Explorers membership program, photo safaris, and

2232-402: The citizens of North Andover approved the expansion of the early childhood center, which opened for the 2018–2019 school year. The primary reason behind this expansion was to reduce elementary class size, which it failed to realize. In 2004, a brand new high school and complete sporting complex including a football field, a soccer field, field hockey greens, and a lacrosse field was added. There

2294-440: The county region, but there is no county council, commissioner, or county employees. Communities are now granted the right to form their own regional compacts for sharing services. Essex County is roughly diamond-shaped and occupies the northeastern corner of the state of Massachusetts. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 828 square miles (2,140 km ), of which 493 square miles (1,280 km )

2356-410: The county was 81.9% White, 3.8% Black or African American, 3.1% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 8.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 16.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 23.3% were Irish , 17.1% were Italian , 12.6% were English , 6.1% were German , and 3.6% were American . Of the 285,956 households, 32.9% had children under

2418-457: The deep channels to small streams some often small enough one can hop across to fish elsewhere. The river is navigable upstream to nearly Ipswich center by small craft. There a sharper drop in elevation over some rocky areas upstream characteristic of Northeastern US streams in general and which prevents further navigation without portaging light boats. The river and riverlands currently suffer from diminished flow due to extensive withdrawals from

2480-529: The development of the shoe and textile industries, and the growth and decline of the maritime industries, including fishing, privateering, and the China trade. The Essex National Heritage Area is one of 49 heritage areas designated by Congress, affiliated with the National Park Service. The Essex National Heritage Commission is a non-profit organization chartered to promote tourism and cultural awareness of

2542-724: The five largest banks are TD Bank, N.A. , Salem Five Cents Bank , Institution for Savings , Bank of America , and Eastern Bank . On November 12, 1996, Essex National Heritage Area (ENHA) was authorized by Congress. The heritage area consists of all of Essex County, MA a 500-square-mile (1,300 km ) area between the Atlantic Coast and the Merrimack Valley. The area includes 34 cities and towns; two National Historic Sites (Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site); and thousands of historic sites and districts that illuminate colonial settlement,

Ipswich River - Misplaced Pages Continue

2604-460: The ground water in urban areas upstream. The upper third of the river may become a dry bed in the summer. Wetland reservations, for wildlife have been created along much of the lower river and the mean water level therein has been prevented from falling precipitously by Willowdale Mill Dam , a remnant of a 19th-century mill system. It is currently privately owned by a canoe-rental concession. The combined Ipswich River/Plum Island Sound exits through

2666-464: The hometown of many early residents, Andover, Hampshire , England. The town was centered in what is now North Andover, but the spread of settlement south and west of the old town center created much conflict in the early years about the location of the parish church. In 1709, the matter was brought to the General Court, which set aside two parish churches, north and south. The parishes grew apart as

2728-410: The land under it nearly flat. Gravel- and boulder-lined streams ran along its surface. From 18,000 to about 10,000 BC, the glacier receded, dropping its stony contents as eskers and moraines, the dominant features of the region. The glacier 's recession created ridges , deposited sand and gravel , the dominant material of the riverbed , over which mud has been deposited. Low-gradient drainage created

2790-543: The lands southwest being more agricultural. Several mills were located in the town, as well as the Western Electric Company , AT&T's manufacturing division, which supplied telephone machinery for many years before it was split up by AT&T into the new company, Lucent Technologies . Today, North Andover is considered a bedroom community of the Greater Boston area. In January 2018, voters turned down

2852-543: The meandering streams, which typically drop no more than 30–40 feet. The first written record about the Ipswich River is from 1638 when John Winthrop bought from Chief Masconomet and the Agawam tribe the lands along the river and exclusive fishing rights for 20 pounds sterling . Most of the land along the river is privately owned but in certain recreational areas non-motorized boats, fishing, and swimming are allowed. It

2914-425: The median income for a household in the town was $ 105,661, and the median income for a family was $ 132,674. Males had a median income of $ 68,411 versus $ 42,270 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 51,658. 5.1% of the population and 2.9% of families were below the poverty line . 5.2% of those under the age of 18 and 4.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line . North Andover employs

2976-579: The municipalities of Danvers , Topsfield (crossing US Route 1 just south of the Topsfield Fairground , entering from the west turns northerly and runs the greater length of Teal Pond southwest to north, the east bank of which forms a part of the western border of Hamilton , and exits the lake turning easterly staying south of Ipswich Road to head through and between the Willowdale State Forest and Bradley Palmer State Park , then opens

3038-541: The nearby towns of Andover and Reading, and the city of Lawrence. North Andover is also home to Merrimack College , a Catholic Augustinian four-year college. The nearest public community college, based in Haverhill, is Northern Essex Community College , which also has a campus in Lawrence and a Corporate & Community Education Center in North Andover. The nearest public university is University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) . Barker's Farm, which started in 1643,

3100-558: The northeast (today called the North Shore ) was via the Andover Road, an often muddy track, later made a wagon road which forded the stream just below the confluence of Lubbers and Maple Meadow brooks . The topography of eastern Massachusetts was determined most by the fact that, at the maximum glaciation of the Pleistocene Era, it was the site of the edge of the last glaciation, at approximately 18,000 BC. This glacier had planed

3162-426: The northeast, Boxford to the east and Middleton to the southeast. North Andover's Old Center, which is closer to the geographic center of town than its newer town center, is located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southeast of Lawrence's city center, and is 25 miles (40 km) north of Boston and 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Manchester, New Hampshire . Interstate 495 crosses through the western part of town along

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3224-461: The old town center, including the sheep shearing festival in late spring and various summer activities for children and adults. The North Andover Youth Center is also located in the old town center and offers a variety of activities to the town's youth. These services are offered to kids in grades 6 through 12 and yearly passes can be purchased to have full access to their facilities. Harold Parker State Forest offers 25 miles (40 km) of trails,

3286-446: The population. There were 10,516 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.4% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

3348-412: The quality of the water as the river dries up and some places become a dumping ground for tires. The river begins in the northeastern part of Burlington in northcentral Middlesex County Massachusetts and heading generally southeasterly, it passes through the towns of Wilmington (where once the important Middlesex Canal passed over it on an aqueduct), Reading , thence to North Reading , where it

3410-674: The records based on them. The county has been designated the Essex National Heritage Area by the National Park Service . The county was created by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony on May 10, 1643, when it was ordered "that the whole plantation within this jurisdiction be divided into four sheires ". Named after the county in England , Essex then comprised the towns of Salem , Lynn , Wenham , Ipswich , Rowley , Newbury , Gloucester and Andover . In 1680, Haverhill , Amesbury and Salisbury , located north of

3472-423: The salt marsh floodplain begins. From Nichols it traverses a bit over 2.5 miles (4.0 km) joins with Plum Island Sound in connecting with the Atlantic Ocean at Ipswich Bay. There is always some flow from the river into the bay. However, the lower Ipswich and Plum Island Sound, as well as the lower four other rivers flowing into it, and the much larger Merrimack River to the north, are all tidal estuaries, so

3534-419: The water is brackish from mixing ocean born saltwater inland during flood tides, and the lands immediately along the banks, where not inundated some of the time, are nonetheless saturated by brackish water and support only hearty plants capable of tolerating the waters such as salt marsh hay . High tides cover all of Great Marsh and the flood plains of the lower rivers. Low tides uncover the mud flats, reducing

3596-505: The years went on and on April 7, 1855, the North parish separated from the south and was incorporated as North Andover. There are several first period (pre-1720) houses still standing in town. The oldest house is probably the Bridges House, relocated from Marbleridge Road to Court Street in 2001; the original portion of this house probably dates to about 1690. Other first period houses include

3658-412: Was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.19. In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males. As of the 2017 American Community Survey,

3720-683: Was a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. Since 1936, it has trended Democratic, with Dwight Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956 and Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984 being the only Republicans to carry the county since. Like several other Massachusetts counties , Essex County exists today only as a historical geographic region, and has no county government. All former county functions were assumed by state agencies in 1999. The sheriff (currently Kevin Coppinger ), district attorney (currently Paul Tucker ), and some other regional officials with specific duties are still elected locally to perform duties within

3782-666: Was inevitably tragic to vessels caught there in a northeaster, or violent winter storm of near-hurricane-force winds. Despite these difficulties, the sound and the mouth of the Ipswich were mooring places of ocean-going cargo vessels and fishing and whaling boats, before the opening of Newburyport Harbor, then blocked by a sandbar. The now abandoned shores of the region give little hint of its former importance to commerce and prosperity. [REDACTED] Media related to Ipswich River at Wikimedia Commons Essex County, Massachusetts 42°38′N 70°52′W  /  42.64°N 70.87°W  / 42.64; -70.87 Essex County

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3844-784: Was named after the English county of Essex . It has two traditional county seats : Salem and Lawrence . Prior to the dissolution of the county government in 1999, Salem had jurisdiction over the Southern Essex District, and Lawrence had jurisdiction over the Northern Essex District, but currently these cities do not function as seats of government. However, the county and the districts remain as administrative regions recognized by various governmental agencies, which gathered vital statistics or disposed of judicial case loads under these geographic subdivisions, and are required to keep

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