The Big List of Cities

Category: M

  • Mansfield, Massachusetts

    📍 Location & Geography

    Mansfield is a town located in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is situated about 24 miles south of Boston, 18 miles north of Providence, Rhode Island, and about 235 miles from New York City. The town spans a total area of 20.7 square miles, of which 0.3 square miles is water. Mansfield is bordered by Foxborough to the north, Easton to the east, Norton to the south, and Plainville and Wrentham to the west.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates of Mansfield, Massachusetts are approximately 42° 2′ 0″ North latitude and 71° 13′ 0″ West longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Mansfield is part of the Greater Boston region, which is the largest metropolitan area in New England. The town is divided into several areas including Mansfield Center, East Mansfield, West Mansfield, and Whiteville.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2020 census, Mansfield has a population of approximately 24,000 residents. The town has a diverse demographic makeup with a mix of different races and ethnicities. The median age in Mansfield is around 40 years. The town is known for its family-friendly environment, with a significant percentage of households having children under the age of 18.

    🏛️ History

    Mansfield was first settled by European colonists in 1658 and was officially incorporated in 1775. The town was named after William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, a pro-colonial judge. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Mansfield was known for its manufacturing industries, particularly straw hats and metal products.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Mansfield is home to several parks and open spaces, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The Mansfield Hollow State Park is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and boating. The town is also part of the Canoe River Aquifer, an important water resource for the region. Mansfield takes pride in its commitment to environmental sustainability and conservation.

    🏫 Education

    The town of Mansfield is served by the Mansfield Public Schools district, which includes four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school – Mansfield High School. Higher education is available at the nearby Wheaton College and Bristol Community College.

    🚧 Transportation

    Mansfield is conveniently located at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 495, providing easy access to Boston and Providence. The town is also served by the Mansfield MBTA train station, which offers commuter rail service to Boston. Additionally, Mansfield Municipal Airport provides services for general aviation.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Mansfield is known for the Xfinity Center, an outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts by top-tier performers during the summer months. The town also hosts the annual Family Fun Night, a community event featuring food, games, and live music. Fun fact: the town was once known as the “Straw Hat Capital of the World” due to its booming hat manufacturing industry in the 19th century.

  • Middleton, Massachusetts

    📍 Location & Geography

    Middleton is a small town located in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The town is situated in the northeastern part of the state, approximately 20 miles north of Boston. Middleton covers an area of 14.4 square miles, of which 13.9 square miles is land and 0.5 square miles is water. The town is bordered by North Andover to the north, Boxford to the northeast, Topsfield to the east, Danvers to the south, and Peabody to the southwest.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates for Middleton are 42°35′48″N 71°0′56″W. It is located in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Middleton is part of the North Shore region of Massachusetts, an area known for its historic sites, scenic beauty, and seafood cuisine. The town is part of the Greater Boston area, a region with significant economic and cultural influence.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2020 census, the population of Middleton was approximately 9,400. The town has a diverse age range, with a median age of 44.4 years. The racial makeup of the town is predominantly White, with a small percentage of the population being African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino.

    🏛️ History

    Middleton was first settled in 1659 and was officially incorporated as a town in 1728. The town was named after Sir Thomas Middleton, an English colonial administrator. Throughout its history, Middleton has been a primarily agricultural community, with farming playing a significant role in its economy.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Middleton is home to several parks and nature reserves, including the Harold Parker State Forest and the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. These areas offer a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, and fishing. The town is also known for its beautiful landscapes, featuring rolling hills, lush forests, and numerous bodies of water.

    🏫 Education

    Education in Middleton is managed by the Tri-Town School Union, which also serves the neighboring towns of Boxford and Topsfield. The town has one elementary school, the Fuller Meadow School, and shares the Masconomet Regional Middle School and Masconomet Regional High School with Boxford and Topsfield.

    🚧 Transportation

    Middleton is served by several major roads, including Interstate 95 and Route 114. Public transportation is provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which operates bus services in the area. The nearest train station is located in neighboring North Andover, providing access to Boston and other parts of the state.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Middleton is home to the annual Middleton Stream Team’s Earth Day Cleanup, a community event that promotes environmental awareness and conservation. The town is also known for the Angelica’s Restaurant and Functions, a popular venue for weddings and other special events. Additionally, Middleton is home to the Richardson’s Dairy, a family-owned business that has been operating since 1695 and is famous for its homemade ice cream.

  • Marblehead, Massachusetts

    📍 Location & Geography

    Marblehead is a coastal town located in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. The town is situated on the northeastern coast of Massachusetts, approximately 18 miles north of Boston. It is surrounded by Salem Harbor to the south, Massachusetts Bay to the east, and Swampscott to the west. The town occupies a total area of 19.6 square miles, of which 4.4 square miles is land and 15.2 square miles is water.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates of Marblehead, Massachusetts are approximately 42.5° North latitude and 70.9° West longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Marblehead is part of the North Shore region of Massachusetts. It is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is divided into several neighborhoods, including Old Town, Marblehead Neck, Clifton, and the Village Street area.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2020 census, the population of Marblehead was approximately 20,000. The town has a predominantly white population, with a small percentage of residents identifying as Hispanic, Asian, African American, or other races. The median age in Marblehead is around 45 years, and the town has a slightly higher percentage of female residents than male.

    🏛️ History

    Marblehead was first settled in 1629 by a group of fishermen from England. The town was officially incorporated in 1649. Marblehead played a significant role in the American Revolution, with many local seamen serving in the Continental Navy. The town is also known for its historic architecture, with many buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Marblehead is known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including numerous beaches and parks. The town is home to several nature reserves, including the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a popular spot for bird watching. Marblehead Harbor is also a significant natural feature of the town, providing opportunities for boating and fishing.

    🏫 Education

    Education in Marblehead is provided by the Marblehead Public Schools district, which operates several elementary schools, a middle school, and Marblehead High School. The town also has a number of private schools, including the Tower School and the Marblehead Community Charter Public School.

    🚧 Transportation

    Transportation in Marblehead is primarily by car, with Route 114 running through the town. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provides bus service to nearby towns and cities, including Boston. The nearest airport to Marblehead is Logan International Airport in Boston.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Marblehead is known as the birthplace of the American Navy, a title it shares with a few other towns. The town is also famous for its yachting history and hosts the annual Marblehead Race Week, a major sailing event. Marblehead’s historic district, with its narrow streets and 18th-century buildings, has been used as a setting for several films and television shows.

  • Manchester, Massachusetts

    📍 Location & Geography

    Manchester is a coastal town located in the northeastern part of the state of Massachusetts. It is part of Essex County and is situated on Cape Ann. The town is bordered by Beverly and Wenham to the west, Hamilton to the southwest, Essex to the north, and Gloucester to the east. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the south of Manchester.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates of Manchester, Massachusetts are approximately 42.5778° N latitude and 70.7676° W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Manchester is part of the North Shore region of Massachusetts. The town covers a total area of 18.3 square miles, of which 9 square miles is land and 9.4 square miles is water. The town is also known as Manchester-by-the-Sea, a name that reflects its location along the Atlantic Ocean.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Manchester is approximately 5,136. The town has a predominantly white population, with a small percentage of residents identifying as Asian, African American, and other races. The median age in Manchester is around 46 years.

    🏛️ History

    Manchester was first settled by Europeans in 1629 and was officially incorporated in 1645. It was originally known as Jeffrey’s Creek, but was renamed Manchester in 1672 after the city in England. The town was a modest fishing and farming community in its early years. In the 19th century, it became a popular summer resort for the wealthy, with many grand estates and mansions built along the coast.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Manchester is known for its scenic beauty, with a coastline featuring sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and marshlands. The town is home to several parks and nature reserves, including Coolidge Reservation and Agassiz Rock. Singing Beach, one of the town’s most popular attractions, is famous for the unique ‘singing’ sound the sand makes when walked upon.

    🏫 Education

    Manchester’s public school system is shared with the neighboring town of Essex. The Manchester Essex Regional School District includes an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. The town is also home to Brookwood School, a private, independent day school for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

    🚧 Transportation

    Manchester is served by the Manchester train station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail, providing direct access to Boston. The town is also accessible by Route 128 and Route 127. For air travel, the nearest major airport is Boston Logan International Airport, located about 30 miles south of Manchester.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Manchester is famous for its ‘Fourth of July Parade’, a tradition that has been held annually for over a century. The town is also known for the ‘Manchester Road Race’, a 4.75-mile run held every Thanksgiving Day. In addition, Manchester was the filming location for the 2016 film ‘Manchester by the Sea’, which won two Academy Awards.

  • Merrimac, Massachusetts

    📍 Location & Geography

    Merrimac is a small town located in the northeastern part of Massachusetts, United States. It is situated in Essex County and is part of the Merrimack Valley region. The town is bordered by Amesbury to the northeast, West Newbury to the southeast, Haverhill to the southwest, and Newton, New Hampshire to the northwest. The Merrimack River runs along the northern border of the town.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates of Merrimac, Massachusetts are approximately 42.8342° N latitude and 71.0126° W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Merrimac spans a total area of about 8.8 square miles (22.8 km²), of which 8.5 square miles (22.1 km²) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²) is water, according to the United States Census Bureau. The town is part of the larger Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Merrimac was approximately 6,700 residents. The town has a diverse age range, with a median age of around 43 years. The racial makeup of the town is predominantly White, with smaller populations of Hispanic, Asian, African American, and other races.

    🏛️ History

    Merrimac was first settled by Europeans in 1638 as a part of the town of Amesbury. It was known as West Amesbury until 1876 when it was officially incorporated as Merrimac. The town was named after the Merrimack River, which in turn was named by the local Native American tribes, with the name signifying a sturgeon river. Merrimac was once known for its shipbuilding industry, which thrived along the banks of the Merrimack River in the 18th and 19th centuries.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Merrimac is home to a number of parks and green spaces, including the Merrimac Town Forest and Lake Attitash. The Merrimack River offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water activities. The town is also close to several state parks and forests, offering residents and visitors a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

    🏫 Education

    Education in Merrimac is managed by the Pentucket Regional School District, which also serves the neighboring towns of Groveland and West Newbury. The district operates the Helen R. Donaghue School (grades 3-6), the Pentucket Regional Middle School (grades 7-8), and the Pentucket Regional High School (grades 9-12). There are also several private and charter schools in the surrounding area.

    🚧 Transportation

    Merrimac is served by several major roads, including Interstate 495 and Massachusetts Route 110, which provide easy access to nearby cities such as Boston and Manchester, NH. The town is also within driving distance of several airports, including Boston Logan International Airport and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Public transportation is provided by the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Every year, Merrimac hosts a number of community events, including the Merrimac Santa Parade and the Old Home Days celebration. The town is also known for its historic buildings, such as the Pilgrim Congregational Church and the Merrimac Public Library, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.