Amesbury, Massachusetts
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- For the town in Wiltshire, England, see Amesbury.
| Amesbury, Massachusetts | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex |
| Settled | 1642 |
| Incorporated | 1668 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Mayor-council city |
| - Mayor | Thatcher W. Kezer III |
| Area | |
| - Total | 13.7 sq mi (35.4 km²) |
| - Land | 12.4 sq mi (32.1 km²) |
| - Water | 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²) |
| Elevation | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 16,450 |
| - Density | 1,326.3/sq mi (512.1/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 01913 |
| Area code(s) | 351 / 978 |
| FIPS code | 25-01185 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618292 |
| Website: http://www.ci.amesbury.ma.us/ | |
The Town of Amesbury is a city[1] in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. In 1890, 9798 people lived in Amesbury; in 1900, 9473; in 1910, 9894; in 1920, 10,036; and in 1940, 10,862. The population was 16,450 at the 2000 census. A former farming and mill town, Amesbury is today largely residential. It is home to the Amesbury Playhouse.
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[edit] History
Settled in 1642, Amesbury was first recognized as "Salisbury New Town" in 1666 when it formally separated from Salisbury. It was incorporated as "Amesbury" in 1668, after Amesbury in Wiltshire, England. Beginning as a modest farming community, it would develop an aggressive maritime and industrial economy. The 90 foot drop in the falls of the Powwow River provided water power for sawmills and gristmills. Shipbuilding, shipping and fishing were also important. The ferry across the Merrimack River to Newburyport was a lively business until the construction of bridges to Deer Island. Newton, New Hampshire would be set off from Amesbury in 1741, when the border between the two colonies was adjusted.
In the 19th century, textile mills were built at the falls, as was a mechanized nail-making factory, believed to be the nation's first. The Merrimac Hat Company produced more hats than any of its competitors. Beginning in 1853, Amesbury became famous for building carriages, a trade which would evolve into the manufacture of automobile bodies. The industry, however, would end with the Great Depression. Amesbury also produced Hoyt's Buffalo Brand Peanut Butter Kisses. In 1876, the town of Merrimac was set off from Amesbury. In 1996, the town changed its status to a city, and adopted the mayor and municipal council form of government, although it retained the title "Town of Amesbury." The current mayor is Thatcher W. Kezer III.
The community has an impressive collection of early architecture, particularly in the Federal and Victorian styles. Following a recent restoration of the historic downtown, many new restaurants opened. The "Doughboy," a memorial sculpture by Leonard Craske, stands on the front lawn of the Amesbury Middle School. It was dedicated November 11, 1929. Craske is best known as sculptor for the "Fishermens' Memorial" in Gloucester. There is here a monument erected to Josiah Bartlett, who was born in Amesbury.
Due to Amesbury's rich history, a student house on the campus of Stonehill College (Easton, MA) was named after the town. The house "Amesbury" is known to students as one of the greatest student houses on campus.
 Mills in 1914 |
 Bartlett's statue in c. 1910 |
 Whittier's home in 1909 |
[edit] Geography
Amesbury is located at 1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.4 km² (13.6 mi²). 32.1 km² (12.4 mi²) of it is land and 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it (9.08%) is water. Amesbury is drained by the Powwow River. Powwow Hill, elevation 332 feet (98 meters), is the highest point in town. Once the site of Indian gatherings, or "powwows," it has views to Maine and Cape Ann.
[edit] Demographics
For additional demographic information on the central urban area of Amesbury, which is a census-designated place, see the article Amesbury (CDP), Massachusetts. It provodes details that are included in the aggregate numbers reported here.
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,450 people, 6,380 households, and 4,229 families residing in the city. The population density was 512.2/km² (1,326.3/mi²). There were 6,623 housing units at an average density of 206.2 persons/km² (534.0 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.19% White, 0.64% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,380 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 11.3% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 33.7% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $51,906, and the median income for a family was $62,875. Males had a median income of $43,489 versus $31,968 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,103. 5.9% of the population and 3.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.0% are under the age of 18 and 8.2% are 65 or older.
[edit] Education
- Amesbury Academy
- Amesbury High School
- Amesbury Middle School
- Amesbury Elementary School
- Charles C. Cashman Elemetary School
- Amesbury Public Schools
Amesbury's high school football rival is Newburyport; the two teams play against each other every Thanksgiving Day.
[edit] Points of interest
- Amesbury Carriage Museum
- Josiah Bartlett Museum (1870)
- Macy-Colby House (c. 1654)
- Mary Baker Eddy Historic Home
- Friends' Meeting House (1850)
- Lowell's Boat Shop (1793)
- Old Powder House (1810)
- Rocky Hill Meeting House (c. 1785)
- Salisbury Point Railroad Historical Society
- John Greenleaf Whittier Home
- Alliance Park (Site of the Construction of the U.S.S. Alliance in 1777)
[edit] Notable residents
- Josiah Bartlett (1729-1795), signer of the Declaration of Independence, first Governor of New Hampshire[2]
- Daniel Blaisdell, (1762-1833), United States Congressman from New Hampshire[2]
- Luther Colby, (1814-1894), journalist, spiritualist.[2]
- Jeffrey Donovan, actor. Star of television show Burn Notice
- Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science
- Robert Frost, poet
- Keegan Hamilton, bassist of popular recording artists, Long Walk Home
- Greg Kell, former guitarist of heavy metal band, Guns Up!
- Susanna North Martin, victim of Salem Witch trials in 1692, * [1]
- William Ezra Northen, (1819-1897), vice president and engineer of the New York and New Haven Railroad, chief engineer of the Chicago Main Drainage Canal.[2]
- William A. Paine, businessman
- Harriet Prescott Spofford, author
- John Greenleaf Whittier, poet
- Paine Wingate, preacher, statesman
- Roland H. Woodwell, biographer
- Chris Chasse, musician for band Rise Against
- Bryan P.T. Riley, author (writes under pseudonym Paul Thomas)
[edit] References
[edit] Publications
- J. Merrill, History of Amesbury (Haverhill, 1880)
- This article incorporates text from an edition of the New International Encyclopedia that is in the public domain.
