Peabody, Massachusetts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Peabody
City
Peabody City Hall in 2021
Flag Seal
Nicknames:  Tanner City, The Leather City
Location in Essex County and the state of Massachusetts
Peabody Location in Massachusetts Show map of Massachusetts Peabody Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Essex
Settled	1626
Incorporated	1855 (town)
Incorporated	1916 (city)
Named for	George Peabody
Seat	Peabody City Hall
Government
• Type	Mayor-council city
Area
• Total	16.81 sq mi (43.54 km2)
• Land	16.24 sq mi (42.05 km2)
• Water	0.57 sq mi (1.49 km2)
Elevation	17 ft (5 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	54,481
• Density	3,355.36/sq mi (1,295.54/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Codes	01960–01961
Area code(s)	351/978
FIPS code	25-52490
GNIS feature ID	0614307

Peabody (pronounced PEE-buh-dee) is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It's located in the North Shore region of Massachusetts. In 2020, about 54,481 people lived there. Peabody is well-known for its long and interesting history in manufacturing.

History of Peabody

Early Settlement and Name Changes

The land where Peabody now stands was first home to Native American people called the Naumkeag. In 1626, a small group of English colonists from Cape Ann settled the area. They were led by Roger Conant. At first, it was part of Salem. People called it Northfields, Salem Farms, or Brooksby.

During the Salem witch trials in the late 1600s, some residents faced accusations of witchcraft. Three people, John Proctor, Giles Corey, and Martha Corey, were among those who faced severe consequences.

In 1752, this area became a separate district from Salem. It was called "the South Parish" and was part of Danvers. Later, in 1855, the community became its own independent town named South Danvers. The name changed again on April 30, 1868. It was renamed Peabody to honor George Peabody, a famous philanthropist. He was born in what is now Peabody and is often called the "father of modern philanthropy." In 1916, Peabody officially became a city. The western part of the city, which is less crowded, is often called West Peabody.

Industrial Growth and Immigration

Peabody began as a farming community. However, its many rivers and streams were perfect for mills that used water power. In the 1700s, the Central Street area became a center for making pottery, especially redware. Peabody grew into a major hub for New England's leather industry. This industry attracted people from all over the world.

By 1915, about one-third of Peabody's population was born outside the United States. Many Irish and Russian immigrants made Peabody their home. A large community of workers also came from the Ottoman Empire. Most of these were Turkish and Kurdish speakers from the Harput region (now Elazığ). They lived mainly on Walnut Street, filling boarding houses and coffee houses. This area became known as "Ottoman Street."

St. Johns School Fire and Safety Changes

On October 28, 1915, a tragic fire occurred at the St. Johns School in downtown Peabody. Sadly, 21 young children lost their lives in this event. After the fire, their bodies were found close to the exit, where they had huddled together. Because of this tragedy, Peabody became the first city in the United States to pass a law. This law required all entrances and exits in public buildings to open by pushing, not by using a handle or knob. This change helped make buildings safer for everyone.

Decline of Tanneries and New Growth

The tanneries on "Ottoman Street" were very important to Peabody's economy for many years. Eventually, these tanneries closed or moved away. Even so, Peabody is still known locally as the Leather City or Tanner City. The sports team mascot for Peabody Veterans Memorial High School is even called the Tanners.

Losing the tanneries was a big challenge for Peabody's economy. But the city has found new ways to grow. In the early 1900s, Peabody was part of the automobile revolution. It hosted an early car company called Corwin Manufacturing.

Today, the Northshore Mall is one of the biggest shopping malls in the region. It opened in 1958 as an outdoor shopping center. The mall was built on farm land once owned by Elias Hasket Derby, one of America's first millionaires. Centennial Park, an industrial park in the city center, has attracted many medical and technology companies. West Peabody, which was mostly farmland until the 1950s, has become a residential area. Brooksby Farm, a 275-acre working farm and conservation area, has been a popular spot for decades.

Geography and Location

Peabody covers about 43.5 square kilometers (16.8 square miles). Most of this is land, with about 1.5 square kilometers (0.57 square miles) being water. The northwestern edge of Peabody follows the Ipswich River. Smaller brooks feed into it. The Waters River, which flows into the Danvers River, drains the northeastern part of town. There are also several ponds and part of Suntaug Lake within the city.

The largest protected area in Peabody is Brooksby Farm. This land includes the historic Nathaniel Felton Houses. Peabody is shaped like a wedge, with the city center in the wider northeastern end. South Peabody is to the south, and West Peabody, a more suburban area where the high school is, is to the west. Peabody's center is about 2 miles from Salem. It is also about 15 miles northeast of Boston.

Peabody shares borders with several other towns. These include Middleton to the northwest and Danvers to the north. To the east is Salem, to the south is Lynn, and to the southwest is Lynnfield.

Population and People

In 2010, there were 51,251 people living in Peabody. The city had 22,220 housing units. Most residents, about 90.4%, were White. About 6.3% were Hispanic or Latino, and 2.4% were African American.

Peabody has been home to a large Greek population since the early 1900s. Since the mid-1900s, many Portuguese people, especially from the Azores, have also lived here. In the 21st century, a large number of Brazilians have moved to Peabody.

About 26.8% of households in 2010 had children under 18. The average household had 2.28 people. The median age of people in Peabody was 44.6 years old. This means half the population was older than 44.6, and half was younger.

Economy and Jobs

A.C. Lawrence Leather Company, around 1910.

Peabody has a diverse economy with many different types of businesses.

Major Employers in Peabody

Some of the largest companies and organizations that employ people in Peabody include:

• Analogic Corporation
• Boston Children's Hospital
• Boston Acoustics
• Carl Zeiss AG
• Christian Book Distributors
• JEOL
• Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
• Meridian Interstate Bancorp
• Northshore Mall
• Rousselot Gelatine
• Saucony
• UTC Aerospace Systems

Arts and Culture in Peabody

Places to Visit

Peabody has several interesting places to explore:

Peabody Institute Library, around 1912.

• Bell Inn and Tavern: Built in 1897, this building was once known as the O'Shea Mansion. The original Bell Tavern, built in 1757, was a meeting place for local minutemen before the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
• Brooksby Farm: This is a 275-acre farm and conservation area owned by the city. It's a great place to visit.
• George Peabody House Museum: This museum is dedicated to the life and work of George Peabody, the city's namesake.
• North Shore Children's Museum: A fun, city-owned museum designed for kids.
• Peabody's Black Box Theater: A venue for performances and artistic events.
• Peabody Institute Library: This public library was started in 1852 thanks to a gift from George Peabody.
• Tillie's Farm: Another city-owned farm located in South Peabody.
• Washington Street Historic District: This neighborhood has many 19th-century homes. Important civic and business leaders of that time built their houses here.

Parks and Recreation

Independence Greenway.

Peabody offers several places for outdoor activities and relaxation:

• Salem Country Club: This is a private golf course that has hosted major golf tournaments, including the U.S. Senior Open and the U.S. Women's Open.
• Independence Greenway: A 5.25-mile long trail built on an old railway line. It's part of the larger Border to Boston trail system.
• Crystal Lake: A 21-acre conservation area that is part of the Ipswich River watershed.
• Spring Pond: A lake that touches Peabody, Lynn, and Salem.

Education in Peabody

Public Schools

The Peabody Public Schools system manages public education in the city. Here are some of the schools:

Christian Schools

Peabody also has several private Christian schools:

• Bishop Fenwick High School: A Catholic private high school.
• Covenant Christian Academy: A Christian and classical preparatory school.
• St. John the Baptist School: A private Catholic school.

Transportation and Utilities

Getting Around Peabody

Major highways that pass through Peabody include:

• Interstate 95
• Massachusetts Route 128
• Massachusetts Route 129
• U.S. Route 1
• Massachusetts Route 114

Several MBTA bus lines serve the city. The Logan Express also stops at the Northshore Mall. A Springfield Terminal rail line goes through town. The closest commuter train service is in Salem, on the Newburyport/Rockport Line. This line connects to Boston's North Station. For air travel, the nearest small airport is Beverly Municipal Airport. For national and international flights, Logan International Airport in Boston is the closest option.

City Services

The Peabody Municipal Light Plant provides electricity to the city. National Grid supplies natural gas service in Peabody. For cable television, residents can choose between Comcast and RCN.

Notable People from Peabody

See also

In Spanish: Peabody (Massachusetts) para niños