Nahant, Massachusetts

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Nahant, Massachusetts
Official seal of Nahant, Massachusetts
Seal
Nickname: Hoompa
Location in Essex County in Massachusetts
Location in Essex County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°25′35″N 70°55′10″W / 42.42639, -70.91944
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Essex
Settled 1630
Incorporated 1853
Government
 - Type Open town meeting
Area
 - Total 15.5 sq mi (40.1 km²)
 - Land 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
 - Water 14.2 sq mi (36.9 km²)
Elevation 50 ft (15 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 3,632
 - Density 2,918.7/sq mi (1,126.9/km²)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 01908
Area code(s) 339 / 781
FIPS code 25-43580
GNIS feature ID 0618304
Website: http://www.nahant.org/

Nahant (pronounced /nəˈhɑːnt/) is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,632 at the 2000 census. With just 1.2 square miles (3.2 km²) of land area, it is the smallest municipality, area-wise, in the state. It is a resort and residential community.

Contents

[edit] History

Native Americans called the area "Nahant," meaning "the point" or "almost an island." Located on a rocky peninsula jutting into Massachusetts Bay, it was first settled in 1630, in the second year of the Puritan coming. The servants of Isaac Johnson grazed his cattle on the land, and it was also often used by citizens of Lynn for grazing cattle, sheep and goats. Before 1800 there were only three homes on the island those built by the Breeds and the Hoods, and the Johnson home built by Jeremiah Gray. The first hotel was built by one of the Johnsons 1802, and in 1817 a steamboat ran daily between Boston and Nahant. The town was originally part of Lynn; when the temperance movement threatened the summer resort trade in 1853, Nahant incorporated as a separate town. In the late 19th century, it was home to some of the country's first amusement parks, as well as a popular summer retreat for the wealthy. During World War II, East Point was the site of a coastal artillery. It is now a town park, and location of the Marine Science Center for Northeastern University.

[edit] Development

Calantha Sears' Gazebo
Calantha Sears' Gazebo

The old Nahant Life Saving Station (NLSS) on Nahant Road, and the new War Memorial erected across the street [from the NLSS] were renovated in 2004.

In 2003, the dilapidated Valley Road High School was refurbished, and re-commissioned as the Nahant Community Center, which is now home to many local activities and banquets, including the local Boy Scout Troop 50.

On September 25, 2005, the Town of Nahant officially commemorated the completely rebuilt Bailey's Hill Gazebo, as the Calantha Sears Gazebo. The original was built for the bicentennial in 1976, and over the years had fallen into disrepair. With funding from the Woman's Club of Nahant, and collaboration with the town of Nahant, local residents contributed to its reconstruction. Close neighbor to Bailey's Hill, John Falat designed the architecture for the new structure. Local construction crew, J.P. Construction Company (based immediately adjacent to the park), rebuilt it during August and September of 2005. Besides the cement base, the only remaining piece of the original is the wooden cylinder in the center of the roof, which still bears the "1976" emblem - repainted by Nahant local Octavia Randolph.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40.1 km²), of which, 1.2 square miles (3.2 km²) of it is land and 14.2 square miles (36.9 km²) of it (91.99%) is water. A natural tombolo, Nahant is now a peninsula in Massachusetts Bay, connected to the city of Lynn, Massachusetts by a causeway.

[edit] Demographics

Bass Point Beach in c. 1910
Bass Point Beach in c. 1910

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,632 people, 1,629 households, and 970 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,918.7 people per square mile (1,130.9/km²). There were 1,704 housing units at an average density of 1,369.3/sq mi (530.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.11% White, 0.39% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 1,629 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the town the population was spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $64,052, and the median income for a family was $76,926. Males had a median income of $52,045 versus $46,522 for females. The per capita income for the town was $41,807. About 1.4% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

Bass Point Boat Landing in 1907
Bass Point Boat Landing in 1907

Nahant does not have a middle or high school. Students attend grades preschool through sixth at Johnson Elementary School in Nahant. For grades seven through twelve, students attend Swampscott Middle School (grades seven and eight) and Swampscott High School (grades nine through twelve).

Johnson Elementary School is currently undergoing a major renovation that has demolished the old first grade classrooms, and the southernmost wing of the building. Construction crews are currently creating a new wing complete with updated technology such as wiring for internet access and updated classrooms.

[edit] Points of interest

  • Nahant Historical Society Museum, located in the Nahant Community Center
  • The beaches. Practically an island, Nahant has no shortage on beaches, which is the main reason why many out-of-towners visit Nahant during the summer.
  • Northeastern University, located at East Point, and home to Nahant's Observatory and Marine Science Center.
  • The World War II Bunkers. Located inside Trimountain, and East Point, they were initially designed to defend Boston Harbor and the surrounding waters from a possible attack during the war. During the cold war, the installation at East Point housed Nike missiles intended to stop a nuclear attack on Boston. The facility at Trimountain was for "aiming" the missiles.
  • The town might be hosting filming for a Scorese film starring Leonardo DiCaprio this summer, 2008.
  • The site of the country's first lawn tennis game was played at East Point.

[edit] Annual events

  • The annual Fourth of July fireworks, which many residents argue are the best around, outside of Boston.[who?]
  • Started in 1996, the annual Nahant Christmas Parade is one of the biggest celebrations the town of Nahant puts on.
  • The Memorial Day Parade is a day of homecoming for former Nahant residents who gather each year to watch the festivities, which includes the playing of Taps at the cemetery, and cannon fire at Tudor Wharf.

[edit] Notable residents

The following people spent summers in Nahant:

[edit] References

  1. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

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Municipalities and communities of
Essex County, Massachusetts
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