Beverly Farms facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beverly Farms
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Beverly Farms Fire Station on the 4th of July in 2006.
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| Nickname(s):
Farms
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| Motto(s):
"Filled with History and Tradition"
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex |
| Neighborhood of | Beverly |
| Population | 7,929 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| Zip Code |
01915
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| Area code(s) | 351 / 978 |
Beverly Farms is a neighborhood located in the eastern part of Beverly, Massachusetts. It's on the North Shore of Massachusetts, about 20 miles north of Boston. This oceanfront community has a population of around 3,500 people. It stretches from the border of Manchester-by-the-Sea west to another part of Beverly called Prides Crossing.
The exact western boundary of Beverly Farms has been debated. Some people use old landmarks from 1852 to define it. Others say the boundary is where a local trolley line from downtown Beverly used to end. This spot is known as "Chapman's Corner."
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History of Beverly Farms
Beverly Farms and the nearby Prides Crossing started as farming communities. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, rich families from big cities like Boston and New York City began building summer homes here. These large vacation houses were similar in size to those found in Newport, Rhode Island. Today, only a few of these original mansions are still standing.
Becoming a Town
In 1887, Beverly Farms tried to become its own town. They asked the Massachusetts government for permission. However, a local leader named John Baker spoke against it. There was also a problem with people trying to unfairly influence the decision. Because of this, the governor at the time, Oliver Ames, said no to the plan.
By the middle of the 1900s, Beverly Farms felt like a small, separate town. It had strong ties with Prides Crossing. Many working-class neighborhoods also grew up around the area. As of 2020, most people in Beverly Farms work in "White-collar" jobs, which are often office or professional roles. A smaller number work in "Blue-collar" jobs, which are usually manual labor roles.
How Beverly Hills Got Its Name
Did you know that Beverly Hills, California, was named after Beverly Farms? This happened in 1907. Beverly Farms was a favorite vacation spot for President Taft at the time.
Community Buildings and Services
Beverly Farms has several important community buildings. There are three churches: St. John's Episcopal Church, North Shore Baptist Community Church, and St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church. The St. Margaret's church was designed by a famous architect named William Ralph Emerson.
Other public buildings include a community center and a fire station. There's also a train station where you can catch the MBTA Commuter Rail. The local branch of the Beverly Public Library has recently been made bigger.
Life in Beverly Farms
Life in Beverly Farms is especially lively during the summer months.
West Beach
The local community beach, West Beach, is a big draw in the summer. It's owned by the people who live in Beverly Farms and Prides Crossing. If you live there, you can get a beach permit to access West Beach. People who don't live in the area can apply for a permit, but there's often a long wait because the beach has limited space.
Fourth of July Celebrations
Every year for the Fourth of July holiday, residents organize a big celebration. They raise money, sometimes over $60,000, to fund a weekend full of fun activities. These events include community dances, games for kids, softball games, and fireworks over West Beach. A very popular event is the well-known "Horribles" parade.
Famous People From Beverly Farms
Many interesting people have lived in or had connections to Beverly Farms:
- Henry Adams: An American historian and part of the famous Adams political family.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.: A judge on the highest court in the United States, the Supreme Court.
- Levi Leiter: A businessman who helped start the famous department store, Marshall Field & Company.
- Robert Seamans: An aerospace engineer who also served as the head of the U.S. Air Force.
- John Updike: A famous novelist, known as one of the great American writers of the 20th century.
- Chris Van Allsburg: A well-known author and illustrator of children's books.
