Nestled alongside Massachusetts Bay and Salem Harbor, the town of Marblehead has become well known for its fishing industry and as one of the foremost yachting communities in the nation, particularly with its claim as being the birthplace of the American Navy. Marblehead was originally inhabited by the Naumkeag tribe and called Massebequash, though the town was later taken over by English settlers in 1629 and then incorporated in 1639. Throughout Marblehead’s history, the town has been home to a slew of notable figures such as yacht designer and aircraft manufacturer W. Starling Burgess, Olympic medalist Shalane Flanagan, America’s Cup winner Ted Hood, Vice President of the United States Elbridge Gerry, and Supreme Court justice Joseph Story. Marblehead is comprised of two other villages: Devereux and Clifton, as well as being bordered by the residential communities of Salem and Swampscott.
During Marblehead’s early years, the town started off as a small fishing village, which quickly grew when residents began to pirate European ships before the Revolutionary War. Only a few years later, Marblehead sailors assisted George Washington in crossing the Delaware and also helped the Continental army to escape after the Battle of Long Island. In the 19th century, Marblehead developed more of a yachting culture with the formation of a number of yacht clubs such as the Boston Yacht Club, Corinthian Yacht Club, Eastern Yacht Club, Marblehead Yacht Club, Dolphin Yacht Club, and the Pleon Yacht Club. The Marblehead population stayed relatively consistent until post- World War II when the town experienced a population boom and merged into becoming more of a bedroom community.
Marblehead has a slew of natural and historical landmarks, which has made the town a popular destination for visitors and residents alike. The community hosts a number of beaches such as Devereux Beach, six yacht clubs, several parks such as Crocker Park and Chandler Hovey Park, and a few ponds. Additional popular sites include the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Castle Rock, Herreshoff Castle, Pride Rock, Old Burial Hill, Dolliber Cove, the Lighthouse, Crowninshield Island, two forts: Fort Miller and Fort Sewall, the Frost Folk Art Museum, and the G.A.R. & Civil War Museum. Marblehead also has a number of residences that date back to Revolutionary times such as King Hooper Mansion and Jeremiah Lee Mansion. In terms of education, Marblehead’s residents are served by a number of schools such as Bell School, Coffin School, Eveleth School, Gerry School, Glover School, Village School, Marblehead Veteran’s Middle School, and Marblehead High School. There is also the Marblehead Community Charter Public School, which is known as the first Commonwealth charter school in Massachusetts. Marblehead can be reached by way of Routes 114 and 129, the MBTA Bus and the commuter rail, and as well as the Beverly Municipal Airport.
