West Newbury, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
 West Newbury Town Hall, 2023 | |
 Seal | |
 Location inEssex County and the state ofMassachusetts. | |
  West Newbury, Massachusetts Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:42°48′05″N70°59′25″W / 42.80139°N 70.99028°W /42.80139; -70.99028 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex |
| Settled | 1635 |
| Incorporated | 1819 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Open town meeting |
| • Town Manager | Angus Jennings |
| • Select Board Chair | Wendy Reed |
| Area | |
• Total | 14.7 sq mi (38.1 km2) |
| • Land | 13.4 sq mi (34.8 km2) |
| • Water | 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 92 ft (28 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 4,500 |
| • Density | 330/sq mi (130/km2) |
| Demonym | West Newburian |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP Code | 01985 |
| Area code | 351/978 |
| FIPS code | 25-77150 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618313 |
| Website | Town of West Newbury, Massachusetts, Official Web Site |
West Newbury is atown inEssex County, Massachusetts, United States. Situated on theMerrimack River, its population was 4,500 at the2020 census.[1]
Originally inhabited byAgawam orNaumkeag peoples, West Newbury was settled by English colonists in 1635 as part of neighboringNewbury. After 15 years of English colonization, a 30 acre section of land around Indian Hill in current day West Newbury was purchased from an indigenous man Great Tom for three pounds.[2]
On February 18, 1819, theGeneral Court of Massachusetts passed an act "to incorporate the town of Parsons."[3] The initial proposals had been made in the late 18th century, but determined resistance from the town of Newbury, which had already lostNewburyport, blocked the measure for decades. On June 14, 1820, the legislature passed another act to change the name to West Newbury.
West Newbury has evolved from a rural farming town into a community[4] facing the issues of balancing development and need for affordable housing[5][6] against the townspeople's desire to maintain West Newbury's rural charm and character[7][8] have been in play for at least fifty years. In 1969 local writerMargaret Coit called West Newbury a "hill-framed town thatLowell Thomas once described as 'the Garden of Eden of America,'" saying that as active farming faded away, West Newbury had become, "in its population and pattern of thinking ... virtually a suburb."[9]
Between 1820 and the early 1900s, an active Quaker community existed in West Newbury. The Quaker Meetinghouse stood at what is now 114 Turkey Hill Street[10] and the Quaker Burial Ground, which was established in the 1850s, is located along the Artichoke Reservoir[11]
During the 19th century, West Newbury was home to a vibrant industrial scene.[12] The town was renowned for its comb making industry. Beginning in the 1840s, small home-based comb shops gave way to large-scale factories that produced horn combs and hair adornments. S.C. Noyes, located at 320 Main Street, was the last remaining comb factory in town and shut its doors in 1904.[13] In addition to comb making, a shoe factory operated where the West Newbury Pizza Company currently exists.
The West Newbury Historical Society, a non-profit, maintains the Hills House Museum at the historic William Hills and Hannah Chase House. The home was built in 1780 and the property contains several outbuildings, one of which is a cobbler's shop. The museum boasts a collection of horn combs and adornments manufactured in West Newbury, along with cooper's tools original to the house.
In 1952,Julian D. Steele became the first African-American town Moderator in Massachusetts when he was elected to the position in West Newbury.[14]
The town's oldest continually-operating farm is Long Hill Orchard.[15] The farm has been active since 1896, and has a long and intriguing history. Today, in addition to the apple orchard, the farm is home to a popularcommunity-supported agriculture program and farm to table dining events.
West Newbury is a part of Massachusetts'North Shore, as well as theMerrimack Valley regions of the state. It lies along the south banks of theMerrimack River, 10 miles (16 km) upstream from theAtlantic Ocean. The town is located approximately 13 miles (21 km) northeast ofLawrence and 34 miles (55 km) north ofBoston. It is bordered byMerrimac andAmesbury to the north,Newburyport to the east,Newbury to the southeast,Groveland to the southwest, andHaverhill to the west. The Rocks Village Bridge across the Merrimack River is the only access to the northern banks of the river in town; there is no direct route into Merrimac and Amesbury.
West Newbury is separated from Newburyport by the Artichoke River and its upper and lower reservoirs. Several other rivers and brooks, including the Indian River, flow through the town. The southern corner of town is part of the Crane Pond Wildlife Management Area, and two other protected areas, the Riverbend Recreation Area and Mill Pond Recreation Area, are located in the northern part of town. The town's highest point is on Archelaus Hill in the center of town. Significant efforts have been made by residents to maintain the rural character of the town through advocacy for the preservation of open spaces. West Newbury is well known for its many hills: Pipestave Hill, Archelaus Hill, Brake Hill, Ilsey Hill, Indian Hill, Long Hill and Meetinghouse Hill.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.7 square miles (38.1 km2), of which 13.4 square miles (34.8 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.3 km2), or 8.65%, is water.[16]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 1,279[28] | — |
| 1837 | 1,448[29] | +13.2% |
| 1845 | 1,560[30] | +7.7% |
| 1850 | 1,746 | +11.9% |
| 1860 | 2,202 | +26.1% |
| 1870 | 2,006 | −8.9% |
| 1880 | 1,989 | −0.8% |
| 1890 | 1,796 | −9.7% |
| 1900 | 1,558 | −13.3% |
| 1910 | 1,473 | −5.5% |
| 1920 | 1,492 | +1.3% |
| 1930 | 1,549 | +3.8% |
| 1940 | 1,515 | −2.2% |
| 1950 | 1,598 | +5.5% |
| 1960 | 1,844 | +15.4% |
| 1970 | 2,254 | +22.2% |
| 1980 | 2,861 | +26.9% |
| 1990 | 3,421 | +19.6% |
| 2000 | 4,149 | +21.3% |
| 2010 | 4,235 | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 4,500 | +6.3% |
| 2024* | 4,680 | +4.0% |
| * = population estimate. Source:United States census records andPopulation Estimates Program data.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] | ||
In 2000 the 4149 were distributed into 1,392 households, and 1,183 families.[31] The racial makeup of the town was 98.5%White, 0.2%African American, 0.5%Asian, 0.4% fromother races, and 0.4% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.7% of the population. In March 1952,Julian Steele, the sole African-American voter among some 1,500 residents at the time, was elected West Newbury'stown meeting moderator. He was the first African-American town moderator in Massachusetts,[32] and remained the only African-American town moderator in the state for at least a decade.[33]
Of 1,686 households in 2010, 46.6% had their own children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.8% weremarried couples, 6.2% were a female householder with no husband present, and 15.0% were non-families. 11.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% were individuals living alone who were 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.25.
By age, 30.0% were under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $164,250, and the median income for a family was $193,951.[34] Males had a median income of $100,670 versus $80,189 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $35,323. About 2.8% of families and 4.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 3.8% of those under the age of 18 and 9.8% of those 65 and older.
West Newbury and its residents were the models for Popperville, the setting ofVirginia Lee Burton's children's storyMike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.[35] The town hall where the story ends is patterned after West Newbury's Old Town Hall.[36] West Newbury also provided the geographical inspiration for theMad Scientists' Club series of stories byBertrand R. Brinley. Portions ofJohn Cena's music video, "Right Now", were shot in West Newbury, with the remainder filmed atHampton Beach, New Hampshire. In the late summer and fall of 2008, various scenes fromMel Gibson's filmEdge of Darkness were shot on Church Street.[37]
West Newbury is home to Emery House, monastery guesthouse and sanctuary of theSociety of St. John the Evangelist.
Many farms remain in West Newbury. In 2019 the town, in conjunction with Essex County Greenbelt Association, purchased an agricultural preservation restriction for Brown Spring Farm, permanently eliminating rights to develop the farmland and making it affordable for a new farmer.[38][39] Long Hill Orchard is the town's oldest continually-operating farm. A number of smaller farms exist in West Newbury, including Maple Crest Farm, several Christmas tree farms, and numerous horse stables and equestrian facilities.
The town has two primary outdoor recreational areas, Mill Pond and Pipestave Hill, which offer walking trails, horseback riding trails, as well as space for canoeing, fishing, and kayaking. Equestrian events are regularly held by the West Newbury Riding and Driving Club throughout the riding season. Additionally, theMyopia Hunt Club holds an annual fox hunt through the town during the fall.
Efforts to maintain West Newbury's rural charm have been ongoing; the Town has purchased large swaths of land designated as Open Space by the West Newbury Open Space Committee.
Along with neighboringMerrimac andGroveland, it is part of thePentucket Regional School District.It also contains theDr. John C. Page School.
For elementary school, students also have the option of attending River Valley Charter School in Newburyport.
For high school, students also have the options of attendingWhittier Regional Vocational Technical High School in nearby Haverhill, andEssex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School in Danvers.
Nearby private schools includeThe Governor's Academy in Byfield,Phillips Exeter Academy,Phillips Academy,Waring School,Central Catholic High School,St. John's Preparatory School,Pingree School, andShore Country Day School.
Interstate 95 crosses through the eastern corner of town, with an exit lying just over the line in Newbury providing access to the town.Massachusetts Route 113 is the main road through town, roughly parallel to the contour of the Merrimack River. The town lies between the termini of two lines of theMBTA Commuter Rail, theHaverhill Line to the west andNewburyport/Rockport Line to the east. A small airstrip,Plum Island Airport (2B2), is located in neighboring Newburyport; the nearest national air service is in Boston atLogan International Airport.
West Newbury's and founder Pat Badger plays with Eagles cover band Dark Desert Eagles
No more singular character has been in evidence before the Massachusetts legislature for many years than E. Moody Boynton, the sage and inventor of West Newbury.
A moody man and a loner, Bradley's secretly-kept diary is the most compelling and detailed record of the trip.
At the taking of Fredericksburg, [soldiers including] George Y. Bradley were slightly wounded. They were all of West Newbury.
the president of the graduating class, Bertrand Russell Brinley
Capt. Bertrand Brinley, the guiding force behind amateur rocket groups throughout the county
He was born in West Newbury, Mass., Feb. 21, 1830, of Pilgrim stock.
He was born in West Newbury, Mass., [i]n 1844, and studied in Europe under the best masters....
This week Bullens kicks off a series of local readings and performances with an event at Jabberwocky Books in Newburyport, just a few miles from his childhood home of West Newbury. 'Now it's a bedroom community, but when I was growing up it was a farming town,' says Bullens from his Nashville home. 'It was small and rural and perfect for me.'
A native of West Newbury, Mass., ... where an athletic field is named in his honor.
She ... returned permanently to New England, settling in West Newbury
Red Sox killer Rawly Eastwick of West Newbury
Todd Grinnell of West Newbury, one of the stars of NBC's new ... sitcom, 'Four Kings'
Born Aug 30, 1845, in West Newbury ...
I want to congratulate Firefighter Haley on completing the academy…," Chief Michael Dwyer said in a press release. "Firefighter Haley's commitment to his family helped lead him here, and he will be a great asset to our department and community here in West Newbury.
Masters Hall of Famer Mary Harada, 77, of West Newbury, won the 800 and 5,000 meters.
Capt. Marquis was born in West Newbury, Mass., and graduated from that town's high school at the age of 14.
Mirra, a West Newbury resident, took the election
He is a former moderator of West Newbury, Mass.
On my reading list this time each year is a little red book called 'Town Meeting Time,' which guides me as I try to guide the discussions at the annual West Newbury town meeting.
Major Ben: Perley Poore, of Indian Hill, West Newbury, died
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