Located on the Danvers River in Essex County, and near the northeastern coast of Massachusetts is the residential town of Danvers. Most well-known for its association with the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, Danvers was settled in 1636 as Salem Village, and then later incorporated and renamed Danvers in 1757. The history of Danvers is littered with a variety of interesting events such as the opening of the famous Danvers State Hospital, an asylum built in 1878, and the development of the town’s own vegetable breeds: the Danvers Onion and the Danvers Half-long Carrot. There was also a devastating chemical explosion that occurred on November 22, 2006, giving off such an enormous blast that it was felt and heard up to 45 miles away. Additionally, Danvers is notable for some of its past residences such Revolutionary War figures Royal Governor General Thomas Gage and Benedict Arnold. Surrounding Danvers are the towns of Topsfield, Wenham, Beverly, Salem, Peabody, and Middleton. Danvers is located halfway between Boston and the New Hampshire state line.
Danvers is fortunate to be situated near some wonderful natural spaces. These areas include Endicott Park, Danvers Park, the Meadows, Proctor Farm, Glen Magna Farms, Greenleaf Open Space, Mill Pond and the Endicott Pear Tree, which may be the oldest living fruit tree in the nation. On a historical note, tours are available through the colonial homes of Judge Samuel Holten, Rebecca Nurse, a victim of the Salem Witch Trials, and General Israel Putnam. Danvers is also host to a wide array of educational institutions as the town embraces a diverse mix of public, private, collegiate and technical, agricultural and vocational schools. In terms of public schooling, Danvers is comprised of five elementary schools: Great Oak Elementary, Highlands Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Ivan G. Smith Elementary, and Willis E. Thorpe Elementary, Holten-Richmond Middle School, and Danvers High School, which had the word “meep” banned due to its disruptive usage by students. There are four private schools in Danvers: St. Mary of the Annunciation School, St. John’s Preparatory School, Clark School, and Plumfield Academy, along with Essex Agricultural and Technical High School, of which is in the process of merging with the North Shore Vocational School. Danvers is also home to the North Shore Community College. In getting to Danvers, Interstate 95, U.S.-Rt. 1, Rt. 128, Rt. 35, Rt. 62, and Rt. 114 link up to the town, and there is a MBTA bus that travels through. Unfortunately, the MBTA commuter rail does not include Danvers, as it is only accessible in the nearby towns of Salem and Beverly, though the town does benefit from the Springfield terminal railroad instead. Danvers is also in close proximity to the Beverly Municipal Airport and Logan International Airport.
