Medford, Massachusetts 2025

Medford is a city located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the city's population is 63,157. Medford is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is home to Tufts University.

MEDFORD HISTORY

In December 1634,the first recorded white settlement that would eventually grow into the modern city of Medford, was established at the mouth of the Mystic River. It was planted by a group of ten Englishmen who had come across the Atlantic aboard the ship "The Companion." The land was originally settled by the local Punctuate Indians for thousands of years before the English settlers arrived.

During King Philip's War, the local representative of the Massachusetts Bay Colony made his home here, and later the first fort was built on the banks of the Mystic. Although the settlers' original intention was to stay near present-day Boston, the area's fertile land and abundant resources caused them to stay where they were.

Later, the Medford settlement grew slowly, with shipbuilding, land and sea trade, and some agriculture, especially orcharding, developing as important industries in the area. (Shipbuilding was important enough that a set of five dry docks once stood where the Vinnin Square Yacht Club now sits.)

By the time Medford was incorporated as a town in 1639, it had already developed its own system of local government, a step toward its later becoming a city.

Although the Pilgrims never really lived in Medford, one of the first families of European settlers in America, they did own a large farm in the Medford area. By 1647, the Dorchester Company had established a landing place on the Mystic River now known as the Cradock Bridge. The family of Captain Christopher Cradock remained for over 100 years. Cradock's descendants included Samuel Cradock, who became the ancestor of the family in the area.

During the Revolutionary War, the young Continental Army often camped on Medford Green before marching into the Battle of Bunker Hill. Over the course of the war, soldiers were often seen traveling through Medford. One local landowner, Rachel Revere, widow of the famous American patriot Paul Revere, built and ran a popular inn that catered to many people in the area, including soldiers during the war.

Local legend says that the 43-year-old widow secretly stored ammunition in her cellar in the basement of the Oliver S. Flint House for the Continental Army. She stockpiled gunpowder there. She had inherited the estate from her late husband, who had died nine years earlier after a riding accident. Not getting along with her new husband, Robert Patterson, a poultry keeper and fellow Patriot, she asked him to leave. He left the house forever.

His departure led to Sarah Revere's arrest by British soldiers in April, 1775.

She was cleared of suspicion and released, although accounts vary on whether the arrest actually occurred.

Some local New England lore describes the widow Revere as a relative of famous American patriot Paul Revere, Made possible by the Sons of Liberty using the same tactics as the Sons of Liberty did with Paul Revere in April, 1775.

The first naval battle of the American Revolution, often misattributed to Paul Revere, actually took place here at the colonial shipyard site on the Mystic River.

In 18550, Cradock Locks were built. The locks were the first U.S. tidal locks construction.

CIVIL WAR

During the Civil War, the influential politician and abolitionist Governor John Albion Andrew of MEdford and the Massachusetts 2nd Regiment, Company F, (the "Medford Company") was composed of soldiers from MEdford.

In 1867, the state legislature voted to an act establishing the Medford Military and Naval Hospital.

20TH CENTURY

During the 20th century, the city became more diverse, with immigrants from Italy, Ireland and later non-white families moving into the community.

Today, local industries include assembly and packaging of specialty chemicals and heavy equipment, such as wheel bearings and boat trailers.

MEDFORD CULTURE

The city also hosts the Tufts University Summer Theater Festival, which presents two productions each summer. Dramashop, a performance space run by the Theatre Department at Tufts also puts on many productions during the school year.

Local music venues include the The Center for the Arts at the Armory, which hosts public performances of various types of jazz music and other music, and Tufts University's Distler Performance Hall, which regularly hosts concerts of classical music, jazz, and world music.

The annual Summer Shakespeare Festival, now in its 20th year, is a popular Medford event presented by the Theater Offensive, a local theater company.

Each year, the Mystic Lights brighten up the skies over the Mystic River.

MEDFORD FOOD

Medford is known for its Italian cuisine and bakeries, some of which have been owned and operated by the same local families for several generations.

Three of Medford's most famous locally owned businesses are:

1. Brigham's - an ice cream parlor and restaurant that originated in the area and has since become a casual dining chain with locations across New England.

2. The Biscuit -- an early 1900s breakfast and brunch shop that serves sandwiches and traditional New England favorites such as, clam fritters, as well as a full coffee menu.

3. Colonial Press -- a family-owned donut shop that offers unique pastries and other baked goods, which has been in business since 1914.

Local seafood restaurants offer a variety of seafood favorites including Fish and Chips and fresh lobster roll.

MEDFORD ATTRACTIONS

The city of Medford, MA is a scenic drive from downtown Boston and less than 20 minutes northwest of Boston Logan International Airport.

A mix of historic and modern attractions charm visitors of all ages in "America's Most Irish City."

1. Chevalier Theatre - an ornate 1920's movie palace hosts world-class performing acts, Broadway shows, rock and pop concerts, family shows, and film.

2. Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford - the second oldest hospital in the United States.

3. The Royall House and Slave Quarters - an 18th century home of Loyalist Isaac Royall, who fled Medford during the war, and the only remaining slave quarters in Massachusetts.

4. The Salem Street Burying Ground - historic cemetery.

5. The Granite Rail Trail - converted rail line great for short bike rides.

6. Medford Square - quaint downtown shopping with unique boutiques, eateries and cafes.

7. The Mystic River Esplanade - scenic Mystic River views.

8. The Cradock Bridge - longest bridge in New England.

The city is located in the Greater Boston Area, just northwest of Boston, and is part of the Massachusetts San Joaquin Valley. The 7.67-square-mile community is the fourth-largest city in the state. The city's population was estimated at 63,157 in 2020. Medford is bordered by Boston and Chelsea to the south, Everett and Malden to the north, Melrose to the west, Stoneham to the northwest, and Somerville and Arlington to the east.

The city has a humid continental climate, classified as a Dfa, according to the Kp Index. July is the hottest month, with an average of 73 Fahrenheit, while January is the coldest month, with an average of 26. Medford experiences a moderate oceanic climate, with extremely hot summers and very cold winters. The area lies in plant hardiness zone 6b.

Medford is a historic city and one of the oldest in the country. It was settled in 1634, incorporated in 1639, and was a major slaughtering place until the mid-1800s, when it was renamed as the city of Medford.