Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Manchester-by-the-Sea is a town
on Cape Ann
, in Essex County, Massachusetts
, in the United States. As of the 2000 census
, the town population was 5,228.
The community thrived as a fishing community until 1845, when Richard Dana, a Boston
based poet, built his summer house in the community. Over the next fifty years, development of summer houses along the coast line established the community as Boston society's community of choice for summer residency. The trend continued with designs by other notable architects, such as Sunnywaters, designed by John Hubbard Sturgis
for his older brother, Russell, in 1862. The most famous of these "summer cottages" was Kragsyde
, built on Smith's Point in 1883 and demolished in 1929. Commissioned by George Nixon Black, the Peabody and Stearns
designed residence has been hailed as the zenith of the Shingle style substyle of the Queen Anne style of architecture.
) that locals began following the lead of railroad conductors and referring to the town as "Manchester-by-the-Sea". The name of the town was officially changed in 1990 following a close town meeting vote and an act of the state legislature. This change was driven by the late Edward Corely, a long time resident of Manchester. All town documents (and the town seal) now use the name "Manchester-by-the-Sea", as have (thanks to some minor resident activism) the majority of public and private lists of Massachusetts cities and towns, including that of the state government.
, the town has a total area of 18.2 square miles (47.1 km²), of which, 9.3 square miles (24.1 km²) of it is land and 9 square miles (23.3 km²) of it (49.10%) is water. The town lies along the North Shore
of Massachusetts Bay
, which in turn leads to the Atlantic Ocean. There are seven beaches lining the coast, and several small islands dot the coast, the largest being Kettle Island and House Island. Several small coves line the coast, the largest being Manchester Harbor, which is fed by Sawmill Brook and other small brooks. There are several protected areas within town, including Cedar Swamp Conservation Area, Cheever Commons Conservation Area, Coolidge Reservation Area,Owls Nest Nature Preservation Land, Powder house Hill Reservation, and Wyman Hill Conservation Area.
Manchester-by-the-Sea is bordered by Beverly
and Wenham
to the west, Hamilton
to the northwest, Essex
to the north, and Gloucester
to the east. The town is located 9 miles (14.5 km) northeast of Salem
and 24 miles (38.6 km) northeast of Boston
. Manchester-by-the-Sea lies along Route 128, which has two exits within town as it passes from Beverly to Gloucester, with a small portion crossing through the corner of Essex. Route 127 also passes from west to east through town, passing through the center of town. There is no bus service directly into town, with service passing east via the Cape Ann Transportation Authority
in Gloucester and MBTA Bus
, which provides service to Beverly. The town is served by a stop
along the Newburyport/Rockport Line
of the MBTA Commuter Rail
, providing service from Rockport along the North Shore to Boston's North Station. The nearest airport is the Beverly Municipal Airport
, with the nearest national and international service at Boston's Logan International Airport
.
of 2000, there were 5,228 people, 2,168 households, and 1,435 families residing in the town. The population density
was 562.7 people per square mile (217.3/km²). There were 2,327 housing units at an average density of 250.5 per square mile (96.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.87% White, 0.06% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.11% from other races
, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.
There were 2,168 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $98,467, and the median income for a family was $118,609. Males had a median income of $88,466 versus $67,981 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $57,910. About 0.6% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.
). This beach is quite popular during summer months in particular because it is easily accessible from Boston by a half-mile walk from the MBTA train station. Also located on this historic beach is the famous tourist attraction "Eaglehead" a rock composite that is infamous for rock climbing and other recreation activities.
It was also featured in a season of the TV series This Old House
, and was featured in a "Main Streets and Back Roads" episode of Chronicle
.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
on Cape Ann
Cape Ann
Cape Ann is a rocky cape in northeastern Massachusetts on the Atlantic Ocean. The cape is located approximately 30 miles northeast of Boston and forms the northern edge of Massachusetts Bay. Cape Ann includes the city of Gloucester, and the towns of Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and...
, in Essex County, Massachusetts
Essex County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Parker River National Wildlife Refuge* Salem Maritime National Historic Site* Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site* Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:...
, in the United States. As of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the town population was 5,228.
History
Manchester-by-the-Sea was first settled in 1629 and was officially incorporated in 1645.The community thrived as a fishing community until 1845, when Richard Dana, a Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
based poet, built his summer house in the community. Over the next fifty years, development of summer houses along the coast line established the community as Boston society's community of choice for summer residency. The trend continued with designs by other notable architects, such as Sunnywaters, designed by John Hubbard Sturgis
John Hubbard Sturgis
John Hubbard Sturgis was an American architect active in the Boston area.Sturgis was born in Macau, China, the son of Russell Sturgis , a wealthy Boston merchant active in the China trade. After attending Boston Latin School, he travelled extensively in Europe when his father became a partner in...
for his older brother, Russell, in 1862. The most famous of these "summer cottages" was Kragsyde
Kragsyde
Kragsyde is the name of a mansion built on Smith's Point at Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, United States, in 1883 and demolished in 1929. The house was commissioned by Bostonian George Nixon Black, Jr. to the famous architectural firm of Peabody & Stearns .Kragsyde is generally regarded as...
, built on Smith's Point in 1883 and demolished in 1929. Commissioned by George Nixon Black, the Peabody and Stearns
Peabody and Stearns
Peabody & Stearns was a premier architectural firm in the Eastern United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the firm consisted of Robert Swain Peabody and John Goddard Stearns, Jr...
designed residence has been hailed as the zenith of the Shingle style substyle of the Queen Anne style of architecture.
Name
The town was founded as "Jeffery's Creek." In the mid-1800s, there were enough other Manchesters in New England (especially Manchester, New HampshireManchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
) that locals began following the lead of railroad conductors and referring to the town as "Manchester-by-the-Sea". The name of the town was officially changed in 1990 following a close town meeting vote and an act of the state legislature. This change was driven by the late Edward Corely, a long time resident of Manchester. All town documents (and the town seal) now use the name "Manchester-by-the-Sea", as have (thanks to some minor resident activism) the majority of public and private lists of Massachusetts cities and towns, including that of the state government.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 18.2 square miles (47.1 km²), of which, 9.3 square miles (24.1 km²) of it is land and 9 square miles (23.3 km²) of it (49.10%) is water. The town lies along the North Shore
North Shore (Massachusetts)
The North Shore is a region in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, loosely defined as the coastal area between Boston and New Hampshire. The region is made up both of a rocky coastline, dotted with marshes and wetlands, as well as several beaches and natural harbors. The North Shore is an important...
of Massachusetts Bay
Massachusetts Bay
The Massachusetts Bay, also called Mass Bay, is one of the largest bays of the Atlantic Ocean which forms the distinctive shape of the coastline of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Its waters extend 65 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Massachusetts Bay includes the Boston Harbor, Dorchester Bay,...
, which in turn leads to the Atlantic Ocean. There are seven beaches lining the coast, and several small islands dot the coast, the largest being Kettle Island and House Island. Several small coves line the coast, the largest being Manchester Harbor, which is fed by Sawmill Brook and other small brooks. There are several protected areas within town, including Cedar Swamp Conservation Area, Cheever Commons Conservation Area, Coolidge Reservation Area,Owls Nest Nature Preservation Land, Powder house Hill Reservation, and Wyman Hill Conservation Area.
Manchester-by-the-Sea is bordered by Beverly
Beverly, Massachusetts
Beverly is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 39,343 on , which differs by no more than several hundred from the 39,862 obtained in the 2000 census. A resort, residential and manufacturing community on the North Shore, Beverly includes Beverly Farms and Prides...
and Wenham
Wenham, Massachusetts
Wenham is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,875 at the 2010 census.The Town of Wenham was originally settled in 1635 and has retained much of its unique historic character and tranquil rural scenery...
to the west, Hamilton
Hamilton, Massachusetts
Hamilton is a town located in the eastern central portion of Essex County in eastern Massachusetts. It is primarily a suburban bedroom community, most commonly known for its equestrian estates...
to the northwest, Essex
Essex, Massachusetts
Essex is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, north of Boston. The population was 3,504 at the 2010 census.Part of the town comprises the census-designated place of Essex.- History :...
to the north, and Gloucester
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester is a city on Cape Ann in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is part of Massachusetts' North Shore. The population was 28,789 at the 2010 U.S. Census...
to the east. The town is located 9 miles (14.5 km) northeast of Salem
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
and 24 miles (38.6 km) northeast of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Manchester-by-the-Sea lies along Route 128, which has two exits within town as it passes from Beverly to Gloucester, with a small portion crossing through the corner of Essex. Route 127 also passes from west to east through town, passing through the center of town. There is no bus service directly into town, with service passing east via the Cape Ann Transportation Authority
Cape Ann Transportation Authority
The Cape Ann Transportation Authority is a public, non-profit organization in Massachusetts, charged with providing public transportation to the Cape Ann area, consisting of the city of Gloucester and the adjoining towns of Essex, Ipswich and Rockport....
in Gloucester and MBTA Bus
MBTA Bus
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority operates a large number of bus lines in the greater Boston area. Some routes are for transport within the city; others bring passengers from surrounding areas to stops on the rail lines of the MBTA.The MBTA also operates bus rapid transit service; see...
, which provides service to Beverly. The town is served by a stop
Manchester (MBTA station)
Manchester is a passenger rail station on MBTA's Newburyport/Rockport Line. It is located in downtown Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. Although the official name is 'Manchester', the station is signed as "Manchester-by-the-Sea'.-Nearby destinations:...
along the Newburyport/Rockport Line
Newburyport/Rockport Line
The Newburyport/Rockport Line is a branch of the MBTA Commuter Rail system, running northeast from downtown Boston, Massachusetts towards Cape Ann and the Merrimack Valley, serving the North Shore. The first leg serves Chelsea, Lynn, Swampscott, Salem, and Beverly. From there, a northern branch of...
of the MBTA Commuter Rail
MBTA Commuter Rail
The MBTA Commuter Rail serves as the regional rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in the United States. It is operated under contract by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company a joint partnership of Veolia Transportation, Bombardier Transportation and Alternate...
, providing service from Rockport along the North Shore to Boston's North Station. The nearest airport is the Beverly Municipal Airport
Beverly Municipal Airport
Beverly Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Beverly, a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States...
, with the nearest national and international service at Boston's Logan International Airport
Logan International Airport
General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport is located in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts . It covers , has six runways, and employs an estimated 16,000 people. It is the 19th busiest airport in the United States.Boston serves as a focus city for JetBlue Airways...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,228 people, 2,168 households, and 1,435 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 562.7 people per square mile (217.3/km²). There were 2,327 housing units at an average density of 250.5 per square mile (96.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.87% White, 0.06% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.11% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.
There were 2,168 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $98,467, and the median income for a family was $118,609. Males had a median income of $88,466 versus $67,981 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $57,910. About 0.6% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.
Singing Beach
One mile from the town center is Singing Beach, so named because the sand comprising the beach squeaks when walked upon (see Singing sandSinging sand
Singing sand, whistling sand or barking sand is sand that produces sound. The sound emission may be caused by wind passing over dunes or by walking on the sand.Certain conditions have to come together to create singing sand:...
). This beach is quite popular during summer months in particular because it is easily accessible from Boston by a half-mile walk from the MBTA train station. Also located on this historic beach is the famous tourist attraction "Eaglehead" a rock composite that is infamous for rock climbing and other recreation activities.
Other points of interest
- Agassiz RockAgassiz RockAgassiz Rock is a park in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts that is owned and maintained by The Trustees of Reservations. It takes its name from two dramatic examples of large boulders plucked from bedrock and carried by the glaciers....
- Coolidge ReservationCoolidge ReservationCoolidge Reservation is a nature reserve located in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. The property is owned by The Trustees of Reservations.- History :...
- KragsydeKragsydeKragsyde is the name of a mansion built on Smith's Point at Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, United States, in 1883 and demolished in 1929. The house was commissioned by Bostonian George Nixon Black, Jr. to the famous architectural firm of Peabody & Stearns .Kragsyde is generally regarded as...
- Smith's Point
- Singing Beach
- Crow Island
- Tucks Point
Film references
The town provided the backdrop for these films:- The Love LetterThe Love LetterThe Love Letter is a 1999 American romantic comedy film directed by Peter Chan and starring Kate Capshaw. It is based on the novel by Cathleen Schine. The original music score was composed by Luis Enriquez Bacalov. The film takes place in the New England town of Loblolly-by-the-Sea...
- MermaidsMermaids (film)Mermaids is a 1990 comedy-drama film directed by Richard Benjamin and starring Cher, Bob Hoskins, Winona Ryder , and Christina Ricci in her first film role...
- State and MainState and MainState and Main is a 2000 comedy film, written and directed by David Mamet and starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Rebecca Pidgeon, about the on-location production in Waterford, Vermont of a film called The Old Mill...
- Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie MoonTell Me That You Love Me, Junie MoonTell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon is a 1970 film directed by Otto Preminger. The film is based on the book by Marjorie Kellogg. The film starred Liza Minnelli as the title character, a girl whose face is scarred in a vicious battery acid attack by her boy friend. Later in an institution, she...
- What's the Worst That Could Happen?What's the Worst That Could Happen?What's the Worst That Could Happen? is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Sam Weisman and starring Martin Lawrence and Danny DeVito. Loosely based on the book of the same name by Donald Westlake, the film's supporting cast includes John Leguizamo, Bernie Mac, Larry Miller, Nora Dunn, GQ, and...
(standing in for Marblehead, MassachusettsMarblehead, MassachusettsMarblehead is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,808 at the 2010 census. It is home to the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Devereux Beach...
) - The Good Son
- The ProposalThe Proposal (film)The Proposal is a 2009 American romantic comedy film set in Sitka, Alaska. Directed by Anne Fletcher and written by Peter Chiarelli, the film features Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds as the leading roles, with Mary Steenburgen, Betty White, and Craig T. Nelson in supporting roles...
- Edge of Darkness
It was also featured in a season of the TV series This Old House
This Old House
This Old House is an American home improvement magazine and television series aired on the American television station Public Broadcasting Service which follows remodeling projects of houses over a number of weeks.-Overview:...
, and was featured in a "Main Streets and Back Roads" episode of Chronicle
Chronicle (TV series)
Chronicle is a newsmagazine show produced at two Hearst Television-owned New England television stations, WCVB-TV Ch. 5 in Boston and WMUR-TV Ch. 9 in Manchester, New Hampshire...
.
Notable residents
- Gardner ReadGardner ReadGardner Read was an American composer and musical scholar....
, composer (1913–2005) - Susan MinotSusan MinotSusan Minot is a prize-winning American novelist and short story writer.Minot was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated from Concord Academy and then attended Brown University, where she studied writing and painting; in 1983 she graduated from Columbia University School of the Arts with...
, author - Joe LloydJoe LloydJoseph "Joe" Lloyd was an English professional golfer who won the third U.S. Open at the Chicago Golf Club in 1897.Lloyd grew up playing at Hoylake. He was the first golf professional in France, being hired in 1883 at the Pau Golf Club in Pau, France, by Englishmen spending their winters there...
, professional golfer - Ray OzzieRay OzzieRaymond "Ray" Ozzie is an American software industry entrepreneur who held the positions of Chief Technical Officer and Chief Software Architect at Microsoft between 2005 and 2010...
, software entrepreneur - George Putnam IIIGeorge Putnam IIIGeorge Putnam III is editor and founder of The Turnaround Letter, a newsletter published by New Generation Research, Inc. which deals with investment opportunities related to distressed securities, bankruptcies and turnarounds. He is also president of New Generation Advisers, Inc., which manages a...
, trustee of Putnam InvestmentsPutnam InvestmentsPutnam Investments is a privately owned investment management firm founded in 1937 by George Putnam, who established one of the first balanced mutual funds, The George Putnam Fund of Boston... - Sprague GraydenSprague GraydenSprague Grayden is an American television, film and theater actress. She appeared in the television drama Jericho, playing schoolteacher Heather Lisinski.-Early life:Grayden was born in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts...
, actress - Jay SeverinJay SeverinJay Severin, , is an American political talk radio personality. Severin has signed a multi-year contract with Boston's WXKS-AM Talk 1200 as an on-air personality...
, radio talk show host on WTKKWTKKWTKK is a New England commercial talk radio station, first broadcast out of Boston on 96.9 FM beginning in 1999. It can be heard in eastern Massachusetts, the northernmost area of Rhode Island, southern New Hampshire, and southern Maine... - Josiah SpauldingJosiah SpauldingJosiah Augustus "Si" Spaulding was an American businessman, attorney, and politician.-Education and military service:...
, American businessman, attorney, and politician. Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican PartyMassachusetts Republican PartyThe Massachusetts Republican Party is the Massachusetts branch of the United States Republican Party. Governance of the party takes the form of a State Committee which, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 52, consists of one man and one woman from each of the 40 Senate Districts...
from 1965-1970. - Josh Gates, host of Destination TruthDestination TruthDestination Truth is a weekly American paranormal reality television series that premiered on June 6, 2007 on Syfy. Produced by Mandt Bros. Productions and Ping Pong Productions, the program follows paranormal researcher Josh Gates around the world to investigate claims of the supernatural, mainly...
—former resident - William Northey HooperWilliam Northey HooperWilliam Northey Hooper was born in Manchester, Massachusetts to the Massachusetts Hooper family of shipmasters and merchants. He founded and operated, with 2 other investors in 1835, Ladd & Co., the first large scale sugar producer in Hawaii at Koloa, marking the birth of Hawaii's leading...
, manufacturer and Boston politician - Henry Northey HooperHenry Northey HooperHenry Northey Hooper was a preeminent 19th century American manufacturer and merchant of decorative lighting, Civil War artillery, and bells and chimes...
, a founder of the sugar industry in Hawaii - Morgan Kennedy, musical theater legend, created the button headband
- Sean J Halloran, world renowned Team Captain of FIRST Robotics Team 2084 RobotsByTheC
External links
- Visitor Information from the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
- Manchester-by-the-Sea Commercial Website
- Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea
- Manchester-by-the-Sea Wiki
- Essex Images
- Name Change