The Big List of Cities

Category: D

  • Dover, Massachusetts

    📍 Location & Geography

    Dover is a small, picturesque town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is situated in the Greater Boston area, approximately 15 miles southwest of downtown Boston. The town covers an area of 15.4 square miles, with the Charles River forming its eastern boundary. Dover is characterized by its rolling hills, open fields, and extensive forests.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographic coordinates for Dover, Massachusetts are approximately 42.2481° N latitude and 71.2762° W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Dover is part of the Greater Boston region of Massachusetts, which is located in the northeastern part of the United States. The town spans a total area of 15.4 square miles, of which 0.3 square miles is water and the rest is land.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2020 census, Dover had a population of approximately 6,300 residents. The town has a predominantly white population, with a small percentage of Asian, African American, and Hispanic residents. The median age in Dover is around 45 years, reflecting a relatively mature community.

    🏛️ History

    Dover was first settled by Europeans in 1635 and was officially incorporated in 1784. Originally a farming community, Dover transitioned into a residential town during the 19th and 20th centuries. The town was once part of Dedham, but separated due to the need for a local church. The name “Dover” was suggested by a local resident who had recently returned from a trip to Dover, England.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Dover is known for its beautiful natural environment, with numerous parks, nature reserves, and trails. The town is home to the Noanet Woodlands, a 595-acre nature reserve that offers 17 miles of trails and a peak with Boston skyline views. The Charles River, which borders the town, is a popular spot for canoeing and other water activities.

    🏫 Education

    Dover boasts a high-quality education system. The town is served by the Dover-Sherborn Regional School District, which includes the Chickering School for grades K-5, the Dover-Sherborn Regional Middle School for grades 6-8, and the Dover-Sherborn Regional High School for grades 9-12. The high school is consistently ranked among the top public high schools in Massachusetts.

    🚧 Transportation

    Dover is primarily a car-dependent town with limited public transportation options. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provides commuter rail service to Boston and other nearby towns from the nearby Needham Line. Major highways near Dover include Interstate 95, Route 128, and Route 1.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Dover is home to the annual Dover Days Fair, a popular community event that features games, food, and entertainment. The town is also known for the Powisset Farm, a working farm and community-supported agriculture program. Dover’s Caryl Community Center was once a school and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Dedham, Massachusetts

    📍 Location & Geography

    Dedham is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is located on Boston’s southwest border. Dedham is bordered by Needham to the north, Westwood to the west, and Canton and West Roxbury to the south. The town covers a total area of 10.6 square miles, of which 10.4 square miles is land and 0.2 square miles is water.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographic coordinates of Dedham, Massachusetts are approximately 42.2418° N latitude and 71.1662° W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Dedham is part of the Greater Boston area, which is located in the northeastern region of the United States. The town covers a total area of 10.6 square miles. It is part of Norfolk County.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2020 census, Dedham has a population of approximately 25,364 residents. The town has a diverse demographic makeup, with a mix of different races and ethnicities. The median age of the residents is 43.4 years.

    🏛️ History

    Dedham was first settled by Europeans in 1635 and was officially incorporated in 1636. It was named after Dedham, Essex in England. The town was the site of the first taxpayer-funded public school, the Fairbanks House, and the oldest surviving timber-frame house in North America that has been continuously inhabited.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Dedham is known for its beautiful natural environment. The town is home to several parks and nature reserves, including Wilson Mountain Reservation and Dolan Recreation Center. Dedham also has several bodies of water, including the Charles River and Mother Brook.

    🏫 Education

    The Dedham Public Schools district serves the town, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and Dedham High School. The town is also home to Dedham Country Day School, a private day school, and Noble and Greenough, a private coeducational day and boarding school.

    🚧 Transportation

    Dedham is served by three stops on the MBTA Commuter Rail’s Franklin Line: Endicott, Dedham Corporate, and Readville. The town is also served by several MBTA bus routes. Major highways that pass through Dedham include Interstate 95 and Route 1.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Dedham is known for its annual Flag Day parade, one of the largest in the country. The town also holds an annual Dedham Day celebration. Dedham Pottery, produced in the town from 1896 to 1943, is recognized for its distinctive crackle glaze and blue-and-white designs.

  • Danvers, Massachusetts

    📍 Location & Geography

    Danvers is a town located in the county of Essex, in the northeastern part of the state of Massachusetts, United States. It is situated approximately 17 miles north of Boston, along the banks of the Danvers River, which is a tributary of the larger Merrimack River. The town covers a total area of 14.1 square miles, of which 13.3 square miles is land and 0.8 square miles is water.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates of Danvers, Massachusetts, are approximately 42.5751° N latitude and 70.9321° W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Danvers is part of the North Shore region of Massachusetts, which is known for its historic towns and beautiful beaches. The town is surrounded by several other towns including Middleton, Peabody, Salem, Beverly, and Topsfield. The total area of Danvers is around 14.1 square miles.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2020 Census, the population of Danvers was approximately 27,242. The town has a diverse age range, with a median age of 44.8 years. The racial makeup of the town is predominantly White, with a significant number of people identifying as Hispanic or Latino, Asian, and African American.

    🏛️ History

    The area now known as Danvers was originally inhabited by the Naumkeag Native American tribe. The town was established by English settlers in 1636 and was initially known as Salem Village. It was later renamed Danvers in 1757, in honor of Sir Danvers Osborn, one of the colonial governors of the Province of New York. The town played a significant role in the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692, as many of the events took place within its borders.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Danvers is home to several parks and nature reserves, offering residents and visitors a chance to enjoy the outdoors. The town’s parks include Endicott Park, Choate Farm, and the Danvers Rail Trail. The Crane River, which flows through the town, provides opportunities for fishing and boating.

    🏫 Education

    Education in Danvers is managed by the Danvers Public Schools district, which operates several elementary schools, middle schools, and Danvers High School. The town is also home to St. John’s Preparatory School, a private, all-boys Catholic school, and Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School.

    🚧 Transportation

    Transportation in Danvers is facilitated by several major highways, including U.S. Route 1 and Interstate 95. The town is also served by the Newburyport/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail, providing easy access to Boston. Additionally, the town is served by several bus routes operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Danvers is known for its annual events such as the Danvers Family Festival, which includes a series of events and activities for families in the summer. The town was also the setting for the 1993 Disney movie “Hocus Pocus”. In terms of historical trivia, the Endicott Pear Tree, the oldest living cultivated fruit tree in North America, is located in Danvers.

  • Dunstable, Massachusetts

    📍 Location & Geography

    Dunstable is a small, rural town located in Middlesex County, in the northeastern region of the state of Massachusetts. The town is bordered by Pepperell to the west, Groton to the south, Tyngsborough to the east, and the state of New Hampshire to the north. Dunstable covers a total area of 16.7 square miles, of which 16.5 square miles is land and 0.2 square miles is water.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographic coordinates for Dunstable are approximately 42.67 degrees north latitude and 71.51 degrees west longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Dunstable is part of the Greater Lowell region, which is located in the northeastern part of Massachusetts. The town is predominantly residential, with a mix of farmland and forested areas. It is part of the Nashua, NH-MA NECTA Division of the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Dunstable was 3,179. The town is predominantly white, with a small percentage of residents identifying as Asian, African American, Native American, or of other races. The median age in Dunstable is 43.4 years.

    🏛️ History

    Dunstable was first settled by Europeans in 1656 and was officially incorporated in 1673. The town was named after the town of Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England. The town’s early economy was based on agriculture, with some small-scale manufacturing operations developing in the 19th century. Today, Dunstable maintains its rural character, with a significant portion of its land still used for farming.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Dunstable is home to several conservation areas and parks, including the Dunstable Rural Land Trust, which preserves and manages over 152 acres of land for the purpose of wildlife habitat, agriculture, and passive recreation. The town also contains a portion of the Nashua River, offering opportunities for fishing and canoeing.

    🏫 Education

    Education in Dunstable is managed by the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District. The town has one elementary school, the Swallow Union Elementary School. Middle and high school students attend schools in the neighboring town of Groton.

    🚧 Transportation

    Dunstable is served by a number of major roads, including Route 113, which runs east-west through the town, and Route 3A, which runs north-south. The town is approximately 10 miles from the Nashua, NH Transit Center, which provides bus service to Boston and other locations. The nearest train service is in Lowell, MA, approximately 15 miles to the southeast.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Every year, Dunstable hosts a town-wide yard sale, which attracts visitors from around the region. The town is also home to the Dunstable Evangelical Congregational Church, which was built in 1840 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Dracut, Massachusetts

    📍 Location & Geography

    Dracut is a town located in Middlesex County, in the northeastern part of the state of Massachusetts. It is situated along the Merrimack River and is bordered by the cities of Lowell and Tyngsborough, and the towns of Methuen and Andover. Dracut encompasses a total area of 21.36 square miles, of which 20.9 square miles is land and 0.46 square miles is water.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographic coordinates for Dracut, Massachusetts are approximately 42.6704° N latitude and 71.3020° W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Dracut is part of the Greater Lowell region and the Merrimack Valley, a bi-state area along the Merrimack River in the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The town is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area, a major metropolitan area in the northeastern United States.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As per the United States Census Bureau, Dracut had a population of approximately 31,352 as of 2020. The town has a diverse age range, with a median age of 41.2 years. The racial makeup of the town is predominantly White, with smaller populations of African American, Asian, Hispanic, and other races.

    🏛️ History

    Dracut was originally inhabited by the Pennacook tribe, a Native American tribe part of the Algonquin federation. The area was first settled by Europeans in 1653 and was officially incorporated as a town in 1701. The town was named after Draycott, a town in Somerset, England. Dracut played a significant role in the early textile industry of the Merrimack Valley in the 19th century.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Dracut is home to several parks and conservation areas, including the Veterans Memorial Park, the Beaver Brook Farm Reservation, and the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest. The town is known for its scenic landscapes, with the Merrimack River and Beaver Brook running through it. The town is also part of the important environmental area known as the Merrimack River Watershed.

    🏫 Education

    Dracut is served by the Dracut Public Schools district, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and Dracut High School. The town is also home to the Greater Lowell Technical High School. For higher education, residents have access to nearby institutions such as the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Middlesex Community College.

    🚧 Transportation

    Dracut is accessible by several major highways, including Route 113, Route 110, and Interstate 93. The town is also served by the Lowell Regional Transit Authority, providing bus service to Lowell and other nearby towns. The nearest major airport is Boston Logan International Airport, located about 30 miles southeast of Dracut.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Dracut is known for its annual Old Home Day, a community event that celebrates the town’s history and community spirit with a parade, fireworks, and various entertainment. The town is also home to the historic Colburn/Cutter House, a colonial-era house that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.