Boxford, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boxford, Massachusetts
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| Town of Boxford | |||||
The Holyoke-French House (c. 1760) in East Boxford Village
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Location in Essex County and the state of Massachusetts.
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| Country | United States | ||||
| State | Massachusetts | ||||
| County | Essex | ||||
| Settled | 1645 | ||||
| Incorporated | 1685 | ||||
| Government | |||||
| • Type | Open town meeting | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 24.4 sq mi (63.2 km2) | ||||
| • Land | 23.6 sq mi (61.0 km2) | ||||
| • Water | 0.8 sq mi (2.2 km2) | ||||
| Elevation | 95 ft (29 m) | ||||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,203 | ||||
| • Density | 336.17/sq mi (129.79/km2) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | ||||
| ZIP code |
01921
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| Area code(s) | 351 / 978 | ||||
| FIPS code | 25-07420 | ||||
| GNIS feature ID | 0618294 | ||||
| The town of Boxford has no stoplights, no street lights and only has two stores in the whole town. Wayne's convenience store and Benson's ice cream store. | |||||
Boxford is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is a quiet place with no stoplights or street lights. The town had a population of 8,203 people in 2020.
Boxford is known for its natural beauty. It has many forests, streams, and ponds. The town is divided into two main areas: Boxford Village (also called East Boxford) and West Boxford Village.
Contents
History of Boxford
Native Americans lived in this area for thousands of years. The land that became Boxford was once controlled by Chief Masconomet. He was a leader of the Agawam people.
European settlers first came to Boxford in 1646. It was part of a larger area called Rowley Village. Abraham Redington was one of the first settlers.
Boxford officially became a town in 1685. About 40 families lived there at that time. Most early settlers were farmers. There were also some craftsmen.
The first church in Boxford was built in 1701 in East Boxford Village. As more people moved to West Boxford, a second church was built there in 1774. Town meetings would switch between the East and West parts of town.
Later, a match factory opened in Boxford. It was the town's biggest industry. It operated from 1866 to 1905.
In the 1970s, Boxford residents visited two villages in England also named Boxford. They wanted to find out where their town's name came from. They decided that Boxford in Suffolk, England, was likely the original source. People from the English village then visited Boxford, Massachusetts, in 1976. This exchange was even featured on TV!
Geography and Nature
Boxford covers about 63.2 square kilometers (24.4 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The town is very green and has many forests. You can find streams and brooks flowing through it. Many of these flow into the Ipswich River. There are also several ponds, like Stiles Pond, Cedar Pond, and Spofford Pond.
Boxford has many scenic hiking trails. The highest point in town is Bald Hill. It is about 243 feet (74 meters) high. Bald Hill is located in the Boxford State Forest.
You can still see small farms throughout Boxford. Old stone walls, which used to mark farm boundaries, crisscross the land. Small Oxx farm is one of the notable farms here.
Boxford is located in Essex County. It is about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Lawrence. It is also about 24 miles (39 km) north of Boston. Boxford is surrounded by other towns like Haverhill, Groveland, and Topsfield.
Interstate 95 runs through the eastern part of Boxford. There are three exits for the town. Other main roads include Route 133 and Route 97. Boxford does not have public transportation like trains or buses. The closest train stations are in nearby towns. The nearest airport is Lawrence Municipal Airport.
Population and People
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 982 | — |
| 1860 | 1,020 | +3.9% |
| 1870 | 847 | −17.0% |
| 1880 | 824 | −2.7% |
| 1890 | 865 | +5.0% |
| 1900 | 704 | −18.6% |
| 1910 | 718 | +2.0% |
| 1920 | 588 | −18.1% |
| 1930 | 652 | +10.9% |
| 1940 | 778 | +19.3% |
| 1950 | 926 | +19.0% |
| 1960 | 2,010 | +117.1% |
| 1970 | 4,032 | +100.6% |
| 1980 | 5,374 | +33.3% |
| 1990 | 6,266 | +16.6% |
| 2000 | 7,921 | +26.4% |
| 2010 | 7,965 | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 8,203 | +3.0% |
| 2022* | 8,112 | −1.1% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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In 2020, Boxford had 8,203 residents. The town has grown quite a bit over the years. For example, in 1950, there were only 926 people living here.
Most households in Boxford are families. Many families have children living at home. The average household has about three people.
Education in Boxford
Boxford has several schools for its young residents.
Elementary Schools
- The Harry Lee Cole School serves students from Preschool to Grade 2. It is located near East Boxford center.
- The Spofford Pond School is for students in Grades 3 through 6. It is on the western side of town.
Middle and High Schools
- Masconomet Regional Middle School is located in Boxford. It is connected to the high school.
- Masconomet Regional High School serves students from Boxford, Middleton, and Topsfield. It is named after Chief Masconomet, a Native American leader.
Students can also choose to attend Essex-North Shore Technical and Agricultural High School in Danvers. There are also several private schools nearby.
Fun Places to Visit
Boxford has many places to enjoy the outdoors and learn about its history.
Outdoor Activities
- Boxford State Forest has many walking trails. These trails go through thick forests.
- You can also find smaller trails like the Wildcat trail. The Boxford Trails Association helps manage these open lands.
- Stiles Pond is a popular spot. It has a town beach where residents can swim. There's also a ballpark and play area nearby.
- Baldpate Pond is another great place. You can swim, fish, boat, and hike there.
- Boxford Commons is a new outdoor sports area. It has fields for football, soccer, and field hockey. There's also a play area for younger kids.
Historical Spots and Events
- Witch Hollow Farm is a historic house built around 1727. It is said to be named after a story from the Salem Witch Trials.
- The Apple Festival is a popular event each fall. It takes place on the streets near Wayne's convenience store.
Famous People from Boxford
Many interesting people have lived in Boxford! Here are a few:
- Mark Bavaro (born 1963) – A professional football player for the New York Giants.
- Raymond Bourque (born 1960) – A Hall of Fame hockey player for the Boston Bruins.
- Johnny Bucyk (born 1935) – Another Hall of Fame hockey player for the Boston Bruins.
- Thomas Knowlton (1740–1776) – A colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
- Chris Kreider (born 1991) – A current hockey player for the New York Rangers.
- Alice Freeman Palmer (1855–1902) – An important educator and president of Wellesley College.
- Rufus Porter (1792–1884) – A painter, designer, and founder of Scientific American magazine.
- Debra Jo Rupp (born 1951) – An actress known for her role in That '70s Show.
- Carl Yastrzemski (born 1939) – A Hall of Fame baseball player for the Boston Red Sox.
- Dan Ross (born 1957) – A professional football player for the Cincinnati Bengals.
See also
In Spanish: Boxford (Massachusetts) para niños
Images for kids
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West Village Store and Post Office
