Marblehead, Massachusetts

Marbleheadis a coastalNew England towninEssex County, Massachusetts, United States, along theNorth Shore. Its population was 20,441 at the2020 census.The town lies on a small peninsula that extends into the northern part ofMassachusetts Bay.  Attached to the town is a near island, known as Marblehead Neck, connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus.  Marblehead Harbor, protected by shallowshoalsand rocks from the open sea, lies between the mainland and the Neck.  Beside the Marblehead town center, two other villages lie within the town: the Old Town, which was the original town center, and Clifton, which lies along the border with the neighboring town ofSwampscott.
A town with roots incommercial fishingandyachting, Marblehead was a major shipyard and is often referred to as the birthplace of theAmerican Navy, a title sometimes disputed with nearbyBeverly. Marblehead was once the fishing capital of Massachusetts. It is also the origin ofMarine Corps Aviation. Three US Navy ships have been namedUSSMarblehead. A center ofrecreational boating, Marblehead has long been a popularsailing,kayakingandfishingdestination, with several yacht clubs established in the late 19th century.
It is home to theMarblehead Light,Fort Sewall, Little Harbor,Mass Audubon'sMarblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary,Crocker Park, and Devereux Beach.Archibald Willard's famous paintingThe Spirit of '76currently resides inAbbot Hall.  Much of the Old Town is protected by theMarblehead Historic District.
Marblehead is also home of the Marblehead Men's Softball League, which was established in 1939 and is the oldest and longest standing adult softball league in the world.
Marblehead was originally calledMassebequashafter the river which ran between it andSalem. The land was inhabited by theNaumkeag tribeof thePawtucket confederationunder the overallsachemNanepashemet. Epidemics in 1615–1619 and 1633, believed to besmallpox, devastated the tribe. Numerous shell mounds and burial sites have been found throughout the town's history, along with foundations of multiple villages and forts.On September 16, 1684, heirs of Nanepashemet sold their 3,700 acres (15 km); the deed is preserved today atAbbot Hallin the town.
Marblehead's first European settler was Joseph Doliber or John Peach (highly disputed) in 1629, who set up on the shore near what is now the end of Bradlee Road. Three years earlier, Isaac Allerton, aPilgrimfrom theMayflower,had arrived in the area and established a fishing village at Marblehead Little Harbor. In May 1635, the General Court of Massachusetts Bay established the town of Marblehead on land that belonged to Salem. Marblehead residents, who never saw eye-to-eye with their more devout and conservative neighbors, were delighted, but less than a year later, the lawmakers reversed themselves. Marblehead finally became independent ofSalemin 1649.
At times called "Marvell Head", "Marble Harbour" (by CaptainJohn Smith) and "Foy" (by immigrants fromFowey, Cornwall), the town would be named "Marblehead" by settlers who mistook itsgraniteledges formarble. It began as a fishing village with narrow crooked streets, and developed inland from the harbor. The shoreline smelled ofdrying fish, typicallycod. These were exported abroad and to Salem.
The town had one accused individual during theSalem Witch Trials,Wilmot Redd. She was found guilty of witchcraft and executed by hanging on September 22, 1692.
The town peaked economically just before theAmerican Revolution, as locally financedprivateeringvessels sought bounty from large European ships. Much early architecture survives from the era, including theJeremiah Lee Mansion.
A large percentage of residents became involved early in theRevolutionary War, and the sailors of Marblehead are generally recognized by scholars as forerunners of theUnited States Navy. The first vessel commissioned for the army,Hannah,was equipped with cannons, rope, provisions (including the indigenous molasses/sea water cookie known as "Joe Frogger" ), and a crew from Marblehead. With their nautical backgrounds, soldiers from Marblehead under GeneralJohn Gloverwere instrumental in the escape of theContinental Armyafter theBattle of Long Island.The Marblehead militia had become the14th Continental Regimentof George Washington's army—and one of the few integrated regiments in the entire army.Marblehead menferried George Washingtonacross theDelaware Riverfor his attack onTrenton. Many who set out for war, however, did not return, leaving the town with 459 widows and 865 orphaned children in a population of less than 5,000.
The community lost a substantial portion of its population and economy, although it was still the tenth-largest inhabited location in the United States at the first census, in 1790.
When George Washington visited the town during his presidential tour of 1789, he knew the sailors of Marblehead well; they had served him honorably in the war. He observed that the town "had the appearance of antiquity."
In the 75 years from the American Revolution to the middle of the nineteenth century, Marblehead experienced a golden age of fishing. TheWar of 1812brought disruption similar to during the American Revolution, with fishing grounds being blockaded, and fisherman heading off to war, with over 500 Marbleheaders being imprisoned by the British.After the war, and later into the 19th century, wealthier citizens wanted a new bank to finance vessels, and to serve the town's fishermen and merchants. On March 17, 1831, with a capital of US$100,000, they founded theGrand Bank. The name was changed to National Grand Bank on October 3, 1864.
The town's fishermen had 98 vessels (95 of which exceeded 50 tons) putting to sea in 1837, where they often harvested fish off theGrand Banks of Newfoundland. However, a gale or hurricane in that area on September 19, 1846, sank 11 vessels and damaged others. With 65 men and boys lost in the storm, the town's fishing industry began a decline. The storm is depicted inFireboard: The Great Gale of 1846,c. 1850 by William Thompson Bartoll. A copy of the book is held by thePeabody Essex Museum.
During theCivil War, 1,048 Marblehead men went to war, joining both the Army and Navy. One hundred ten died; 87 were wounded, many of whom died later of their injuries. During the war, Marblehead would raise almost $100,000 to supplement the war effort, an incredible effort for a town of 8,000 that relied mainly on fishing for income. Marblehead would be the first regiment in the state to answer the call for troops.AGrand Army of the Republicveterans organization was formed after the war, and established headquarters in the old town house, where it still displays artifacts from the Marblehead regiments that served.
During the late 19th century, Marblehead had a short-term industrial boom from shoe-making factories. At the same time, the exceptional harbor attracted yachting by wealthy boat owners, and some yacht clubs established centers there. It would become home to the Boston Yacht Club, Corinthian Yacht Club, Eastern Yacht Club, Marblehead Yacht Club, Dolphin Yacht Club, and the oldest junior yacht club in America, the Pleon Yacht Club. This also caused numerous "summer homes" of wealthy Boston residents to be built on Marblehead Neck. The building boom would causeMarblehead Lightto be replaced in 1896 with a new iron structure since the light of shorter tower was becoming blocked by the large new homes.
Marblehead was also the site of theBurgess & Curtis Aircraft Factory, where it was the first licensedaircraft manufacturerin the United States.William Starling Burgessdesigned and flight-tested most of the aircraft that were manufactured at the two plant sites in town.On August 20, 1912,Alfred Austell Cunninghambecame the first Marine aviator, taking off from Marblehead Harbor in aBurgess Model Hseaplane given to him by the Burgess Company. His flight was the start ofUnited States Marine Corps Aviation.
After World War II, the town enjoyed a population boom, developing as abedroom communityfor nearby Boston,Lynn, and Salem. This boom ended around 1970, when the town became built out. Marblehead today continues to be a sailing and small-town tourism destination in the summer months.
The Town of Marblehead has an open town meeting, and is led by a Board of Selectmen. A board of seven selectmen first met on Friday, December 22, 1648.
The seat of the first town government used the existing Meeting House on what is now the site ofOld Burial Hill. The meeting house served as a place for the town to meet and the main church in town; a dual use that was typical during this time period.The second meeting house was built around 1696 on Franklin Street, which would become known as the "Old Meeting House", also serving the dual use of a town meeting location and church. In 1726, it was decided by the town to construct a separate Town House, which was completed in 1727 (Old Town House).However, the Old Meeting House would continue to occasionally be used for large town meetings, before it was demolished around 1825 after the new First Congregational Church was built (Old North Church).TheTown Housewould serve as the town hall until the construction ofAbbot Hallin 1876, where the town clerk and board of selectmen still meet today.
Marblehead is comprised by a total of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km) of land and 15.2 square miles (39.4 km), or 77.61%, of water.
Marblehead is situated on theNorth Shore of MassachusettsalongMassachusetts BayandSalem Harbor. The town consists of a rocky peninsula that extends into the bay, with an additionalneckto the east connected by a longsandbar, now a causeway. This ring of land defines Marblehead's deep, sheltered harbor. Marblehead Neck is home to a bird sanctuary, as well as Castle Rock and Chandler Hovey Park at its northern tip, whereMarblehead Lightis located.
Fountain Park andFort Sewallare located at the western edge of the mouth of Marblehead Harbor. The town land also includes several small islands in Massachusetts Bay and Dolliber Cove, the area between Peaches Point and Fort Sewall. The town is partially divided from Salem by the Forest River, and is also home to several small ponds. In keeping with the town's location, there are four beaches (one in Dolliber Cove, one inMarblehead Harbor, and two along the southern shore of town), as well as six yacht clubs, one public kayaking centerand several boat ramps.
Besides Marblehead Neck, there are two other villages within town, the Old Town to the northeast and Clifton to the southwest. Given its small area, most of the residential land in town is densely settled. Marblehead's town center is located approximately 4 miles (6 km) from the center ofSalem, 16 miles (26 km) northeast ofBostonand 12 miles (19 km) southwest ofCape Ann. It is bordered bySwampscottto the south and Salem to the northwest. (As Salem's water rights extend into Massachusetts Bay, there is no connection between Marblehead and the city ofBeverlyacross Beverly Harbor.)
Marblehead is home to the eastern termini ofMassachusetts Route 114andRoute 129, which both terminate at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Ocean Avenue. Route 114 heads west into Salem, while Route 129 heads south along Atlantic Avenue into Swampscott towards Lynn. There are no freeways within town, with the nearest access being toMassachusetts Route 128in Peabody and Beverly.
TwoMBTA busroutes—the441and442—originate in town regularly with service to Boston, with weekend service toWonderland stationin Revere. The formerEastern Railroadbegan service in 1839 and had lines connecting through Swampscott and Salem was discontinued in the late 1950s. The track routes were converted to bike trails and the three train depots were torn down.TheNewburyport/Rockport Lineof theMBTA Commuter Railpasses through neighboring Swampscott and Salem, with service between the North Shore and Boston'sNorth Station. The nearest air service is located atBeverly Municipal Airport, with the nearest national and international service at Boston'sLogan International Airport. Seasonal ferry service to Boston can also be found in Salem.
According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Marblehead has ahumid continental climateor anoceanic climate, abbreviated "Cfb" or "Dfb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Marblehead was 101 °F (38.3 °C) on July 23, 2011, while the coldest temperature recorded was −20 °F (−28.9 °C) on February 4, 2023.
As of the censusof 2010, there were 19,808 people, 8,838 households, and 5,467 families residing in the town. The population density was 4,373 inhabitants per square mile (1,688/km). There were 8,906 housing units at an average density of 1,966.3/sq mi (759.2/km). The racial makeup of the town was 97.6%White, 0.4%BlackorAfrican American, 0.1%Native American, 1.0%Asian, >0.1%Pacific Islander, 0.2% fromother races, and 0.7% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 0.9% of the population.
There were 8,541 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. Of all households 28.7% were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.
According to a 2009 estimate,the median income for a household in the town was $97,441, and the median income for a family was $129,968. Males had a median income of $70,470 versus $44,988 for females. The per capita income for the town was $46,738. About 3.2% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.
Marblehead Public Schools oversees four schools:  Brown andGloverelementary schools; the Village School (grades 4–6); Marblehead Veterans Middle School; andMarblehead High School.The town is also home to the Marblehead Community Charter Public School, the first Commonwealth charter school to open in Massachusetts, as well as Tower School, a private day school for kindergarten through eighth grade.
The Town of Marblehead has the unique distinction of having an official town anthem "Marblehead Forever". It is performed at most major town events and commemorations. It was written by the Reverend Marcia Martin Selman to the music of the hymn tune "The Lily of the Valley", from a melody by J. R. Murray, "Songs of Rejoicing", 1888.
There are six active yacht clubs in town:
Marblehead has multiple historic cemeteries and public and private burial grounds found within the town borders. There have also been Native America burials sites found throughout town.
See: Arts, Films section for actors who came for location shooting.
Notable paintings & artists depicting Marblehead scenes and figures:
Movies filmed in Marblehead include:
A television show has yet to been filmed in the town, but Marblehead has been mentioned in the following TV series:
At the presidential level, Marblehead leaned towards the Republican candidate in results tabulated from 1968 through 1988, but has since swung predominantly to the Democratic Party, as with many other communities in Massachusetts.