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Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts

Coordinates:42°34′40″N70°46′10″W/ 42.57778°N 70.76944°W/42.57778; -70.76944
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For the American drama film set in and named after the town, seeManchester by the Sea (film).

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Town
The First Parish Church in central Manchester-by-the-Sea
The First Parish Church in central Manchester-by-the-Sea
Official seal of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Seal
Location in Essex County and Massachusetts.
Location inEssex CountyandMassachusetts.
Coordinates:42°34′40″N70°46′10″W/ 42.57778°N 70.76944°W/42.57778; -70.76944
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountyEssex
Settled1629
Incorporated1645
Government
• TypeOpen town meeting
Area
• Total18.3 sq mi (47.3 km2)
• Land9.2 sq mi (23.9 km2)
• Water9.0 sq mi (23.4 km2)
Elevation
30 ft (9 m)
Population
(2020)
• Total5,395
• Density300/sq mi (110/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5(Eastern)
• Summer (DST)UTC-4(Eastern)
ZIP code
01944
Area code351/978
FIPS code25-37995
GNISfeature ID0619451
Websitewww.manchester.ma.us

Manchester-by-the-Sea(also known simply asManchester,its name prior to 1990) is a coastaltownonCape Ann,inEssex County, Massachusetts,United States. The town is known for scenic beaches and vista points. According to the2020 population census,the population is 5,395.[1]

The town lies on the southern side of Cape Ann, at the point where the peninsula meets the mainland. TheNorth Shorewas populated by theAgawam peopleprior to European settlement, which began in 1629, about a decade after an epidemic killed much of the native people. Fishing was the major industry in the town almost from its incorporation in 1645, but in the mid-19th century it began to grow as a popular seaside resort community. The town has appeared, either by name or as a filming location, in a number of films and TV shows, notably the eponymous 2016 filmManchester by the Sea.

History[edit]

Singing Beach in 1914

Native Americansinhabited what would become northeastern Massachusetts for thousands of years prior toEuropean colonization of the Americas.The area that would become Manchester was inhabited byAgawam peopleat the time of contact in the early 1600s,[2][3]who were decimated byvirgin soil epidemicsespecially in 1617–1619, after which fewer than 50 indigenous individuals are estimated to have survived within the modern bounds of Manchester.[4]

Manchester was first settled by English colonists in 1629 and was officially incorporated in 1645. It was formed from territory taken from Salem (that portion since given to Beverly) and Gloucester. In 1700, Manchester selectmen paid three grandchildren of AgawamsachemMasconometthree pounds and nineteen shillings for the rights to the land.[2]

The community thrived primarily as a fishing community for more than 200 years. Beginning in 1845, it started to attract summer residents from theBostonarea after poetRichard Danabuilt a house in the town. Over the next fifty years, development of summer houses along the coastline established the community as Boston society's community of choice for summer residency.[5]The trend continued with designs of houses by architects, such as "Sunnywaters", designed byJohn Hubbard Sturgisfor his older brother, Russell, in 1863.[6]

The best known of these "summer cottages" wasKragsyde,completed in 1885. Commissioned by George Nixon Black, thePeabody and Stearns-designed residence has been hailed as the zenith of theShingle stylesubstyle of theQueen Anne styleof architecture. It was demolished in 1929.[7]

Name[edit]

To prevent confusion with the nearby and much larger city ofManchester, New Hampshire,the name of the town was officially changed in 1989 following a close town meeting vote that year; the decision was extremely close and passed only by a vote of 97 to 95.[8]This was ratified by an act of the state legislature passed on September 25, 1989.[9]"Manchester by the Sea" was a familiar alternative town name since it was first used in 1877 by Boston publisherJames T. Fieldswhile attending an annual summer picnic of the "Manchester Elder Brethren" that still takes place today.[10]The name change was driven by Edward Corley, a longtime resident of Manchester.[11]

Geography[edit]

According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the town has a total area of 18.3 square miles (47.3 km2), of which 9.2 square miles (23.9 km2) is land and 9.0 square miles (23.4 km2), or 49.47%, is water. The town lies along theNorth ShoreofMassachusetts Bay,which in turn leads to the Atlantic Ocean. There are seven beaches lining the coast, and several small islands dot the coast, the largest being Kettle Island andHouse Island.

Several small coves edge the coast, the largest being Manchester Harbor, which is fed by Sawmill Brook and other small bodies of water. There are several protected areas within town, including Cedar Swamp Conservation Area, Cheever Commons Conservation Area, Coolidge Reservation, Dexter Pond, Owl's Nest Nature Preservation Land, Powder House Hill Reservation, and Wyman Hill Conservation Area.

Manchester-by-the-Sea is bordered byBeverlyandWenhamto the west,Hamiltonto the northwest,Essexto the north, andGloucesterto the east. The town is located 9 miles (14 km) northeast ofSalemand 24 miles (39 km) northeast ofBoston.

Transportation[edit]

Manchester-by-the-Sea lies alongMassachusetts Route 128,the inner of twobeltwaysaroundGreater Boston.Route 128 has two exits within town as it passes from Beverly to Gloucester, with a small portion crossing through the corner of Essex.Route 127also passes from west to east through town, traveling through the center of town. There is no bus service directly into town, with service passing east via theCape Ann Transportation Authorityin Gloucester, and anMBTA busroute providing service to Beverly.

The town is served by astopalong theNewburyport/Rockport Lineof theMBTA Commuter Rail,providing service from Rockport along the North Shore to Boston'sNorth Station.The nearest airport is theBeverly Municipal Airport,with the nearest national and international service at Boston'sLogan International Airport.

Demographics[edit]

See also:List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income
Historical population
YearPop.±%
18501,638—
18601,698+3.7%
18701,665−1.9%
18801,640−1.5%
18901,789+9.1%
19002,522+41.0%
19102,673+6.0%
19202,466−7.7%
19302,636+6.9%
19402,472−6.2%
19502,868+16.0%
19603,932+37.1%
19705,151+31.0%
19805,424+5.3%
19905,286−2.5%
20005,228−1.1%
20105,136−1.8%
20205,395+5.0%
2022*5,354−0.8%
* = population estimate.
Source:United States censusrecords andPopulation Estimates Programdata.[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]

As of thecensusof 2010,[23]there were 5,136 people, 2,147 households, and 1,444 families residing in the town. The population density was 562.7 inhabitants per square mile (217.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.6%White,(5,012); 0.9%Asian,(46); 0.2%Native American,(10); 0.1%African American,(5); 0.1% fromother races,and 1.1% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 1.5% (77) of the population. The median income for a household in the town was $95,243, and the median income for a family was $109,760. About 4.5% of families and 5.1% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.[23]

Journalism[edit]

The local newspaper,The Manchester Cricket,has published weekly since 1888.[24]The newspaper has been owned by just three families since it began. Within the Cricket, there is a special section dedicated to the neighboring town, Essex. This section is calledThe Essex Echo.The town is also served by a regional newspaper, theGloucester Daily Times.

Education[edit]

The community lies within theManchester Essex Regional School District.[25]

Controversies[edit]

The Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department have been subject to controversy, including sexual harassment by sworn officers, with allegations "that officials had permitted a sexually hostile environment, and that Christopher Locke, an officer in the police department, made a secret recording of [a young woman], violating the state's wiretap law."[26]

Howard Lewis, who had been appointed as a reserve officer in 2008 and a full-time officer in 2010, had been assigned to the 12 to 8 a.m. shift and served as the department's primary firearms instructor, when he was placed on administrative leave amid an internal affairs investigation on December 15, according to Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Chief Edward Conley. An internal affairs investigation determined he stole a firearm from the police station and sold it to a pawn shop for $650.[27]

Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department Sergeant John "Jay" Swallow was sentenced to jail for the vicious beating of his wife and weapons charges. He engaged in a physical altercation while pointing a handgun at both his wife and the family dog.[1][28]

Points of interest[edit]

Singing Beach[edit]

One mile (1.6 km) from the town center is Singing Beach, so named because the sand comprising the beachsqueaks when walked upon.The sand is an iridescent color when the sun sets.[29]This beach is quite popular during summer months in particular, because it is easily accessible from Boston by a one-half-mile (800 m) walk from theMBTA train station.Also located on this historic beach is the famous tourist attraction "Eaglehead", a rock composite that is the focal point of rock climbing and other recreation activities.

Other points of interest[edit]

Film and television references[edit]

The town provided the backdrop for these films:

It was also featured in a season of the TV seriesThis Old House,and was featured in a "Main Streets and Back Roads" episode ofChronicle,a newsmagazine program in New England.

Notable people[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Census - Geography Profile: Manchester-by-the-Sea town, Essex County, Massachusetts".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedNovember 7,2021.
  2. ^abPerley, Sidney (1912).The Indian land titles of Essex County, Massachusetts.The Library of Congress. Salem, Mass.: Essex Book and Print Club.
  3. ^Smith, John (1837).A description of New England; or, The observations, and discoveries of Captain Iohn Smith (admirall of that country) in the north of America, in the year of our Lord 1614; with the successe of sixe ships, that went the next yeare 1615; and the accidents befell him among the French men of warre: with the proofe of the present benefit this countrey affoords; whither this present yeare, 1616, eight voluntary ships are gone to make further tryall.Washington: P. Force.
  4. ^MHC Reconnaissance Survey Town Report: Manchester-By-The-Sea(PDF).Massachusetts Historical Commission(Report). Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 1985.
  5. ^Lamson, Darius Francis (1895).History of the town of Manchester, Essex County, Massachusetts, 1645-1895.Manchester, Mass.: Town of Manchester. pp. 192–194.RetrievedJanuary 24,2024.
  6. ^Floyd, Margaret Henderson; Barlow, Margaret (2011). Marter, Joan M. (ed.).The Grove Encyclopedia of American Art, Volume 1.Oxford University Press. p. 603.ISBN978-0-19-533579-8.RetrievedJanuary 24,2024.
  7. ^Goodrich, Jane."Curious George: Woodlawn's Enigmatic Benefactor"(PDF).WoodlawnMuseum.Woodlawn Museum. pp. 4–5. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on February 15, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 24,2024.
  8. ^"Digital Archives of the Manchester Cricket::".manchestercricket.advantage-preservation.RetrievedMay 17,2021.
  9. ^Manchester-by-the-Sea official website;accessed August 10, 2015.
  10. ^"N.H. city hopes to make big splash with whitewater park, new name".Boston Real Estate.April 28, 2021.RetrievedMay 17,2021.
  11. ^"Edward F. Corley, 68, Leader in Manchester-by-the-Sea".The Boston Globe,January 13, 1991. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  12. ^"Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1".American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts.United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  13. ^"Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 12,2011.
  14. ^"1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts"(PDF).US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23.RetrievedJuly 12,2011.
  15. ^"1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts"(PDF).US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23.RetrievedJuly 12,2011.
  16. ^"1950 Census of Population"(PDF).Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950.RetrievedJuly 12,2011.
  17. ^"1920 Census of Population"(PDF).Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920.RetrievedJuly 12,2011.
  18. ^"1890 Census of the Population"(PDF).Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890.RetrievedJuly 12,2011.
  19. ^"1870 Census of the Population"(PDF).Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts.RetrievedJuly 12,2011.
  20. ^"1860 Census"(PDF).Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c.RetrievedJuly 12,2011.
  21. ^"1850 Census"(PDF).Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c.RetrievedJuly 12,2011.
  22. ^"City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedNovember 23,2023.
  23. ^ab"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 14,2014.
  24. ^Cricket, The."thecricket | A Local Tradition Since 1888".The Cricket.RetrievedMay 17,2021.
  25. ^"2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Essex County, MA"(PDF).U.S. Census Bureau.RetrievedApril 16,2023.-Text list
  26. ^"Town admits liability for officer's harassment".May 18, 2018.
  27. ^"Manchester-by-the-Sea cop resigns after investigation found he stole and sold civilian's gun".January 12, 2019.
  28. ^"Manchester-by-the-Sea Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Assault, Gun Charges".January 28, 2013.
  29. ^"Singing Beach".Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA.
  30. ^"Kiosk Completed at Wilderness Conservation Area Gateway".mect.org.Archived fromthe originalon April 25, 2016.RetrievedApril 28,2016.

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