Discover 5 of the Oldest Cities in Massachusetts

In many ways, Massachusetts is considered the birthplace of America. It was the site of the famous “Boston Tea Party” where rebellious colonists expressed their displeasure with taxes. They dumped valuable cargoes of British tea into Boston Harbor. It was also the location of the famous “shot heard ’round the world” – the opening salvo of the American Revolution at the battle of Lexington. Massachusetts continues to shape the country today as a major financial and cultural center of the prosperous east coast. It is the site of world-class educational institutions such as Harvard University. But in a state where every town is old, which cities are the oldest? Definitions of “city” vary, but we’ve chosen to look at places with a population of at least 1,500 people. You won’t find any abandoned towns on this list, just awesome places ready to host your next adventure.

1. Plymouth, 1620 (population 61,217)

Plymouth is located about 40 miles south of Boston. It was founded in 1620 when the Pilgrims on the Mayflower landed there. They drafted the Mayflower Compact as a document to govern their colony. And this became an important precursor to the U.S. Constitution. The indigenous people were friendly to the colonists and helped them survive their first winter. They taught them to support themselves off the land. This was the location of the country’s first Thanksgiving celebration. The Plymouth Colony later merged with the Massachusetts Bay Colony to organize Massachusetts as a unified colony. Later, Plymouth became an important shipbuilding center in the 19th century.

If you visit Plymouth, you’ll certainly want to visit Pilgrim Memorial State Park. Here, you can tour a replica of the Mayflower and see the “rock” where the pilgrims first landed. Another must-see is the Plymouth Plantation, a living history museum. Visitors can see recreations of early pilgrim life, but also actual Native Americans recreating Wampanoag tribal life. There is also a National Monument to the Forefathers – an 81-foot-tall statue honoring the Mayflower pilgrims. You can watch corn being milled with the aid of a waterwheel at Plimoth Grist Mill. This is a 19th-century reproduction of the 17th-century original. Nature lovers will enjoy chartering an ocean cruise to see whales, dolphins, and other marine life in the wild.

2. Rockport, 1623 (6,992)

Rockport is 40 miles northeast of Boston. The settlement grew based on granite quarrying, fishing, and timber. Immigrants from Sweden and Finland skilled in these areas settled there and had an impact on the community’s culture. Rockport today is mainly residential with tourism and lobster fishing as two of its main sources of income. It’s known for its quintessential New England coastal scenery.

Visitors to Rockport often flock to Motif Number 1, an artistic venue and Cape Ann Museum with collections from local artists who have earned national recognition. The Sandy Bay Historical Society and Museums are a great place to learn about local history. Cape Hedge Beach, Front Beach and Pebble Beach are great places to see the scenery and take spectacular photos, as are Loblolly Cove, Halibut Point State Park, The Headlands, and Straitsmouth Island Lighthouse. And of course, you won’t want to visit the home of some of the country’s best fresh lobster without trying some yourself!

3. Boston, 1630 (population 675,647)

Boston, of course, is the capital and largest city of Massachusetts. Two failed colonies were started in the area before William Blaxton founded a settlement that grew into the present city. Beacon Hill is a historic area at the highest point of the city where a beacon was placed to warn of possible invasion. Today it is the location of the Massachusetts State House. The Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, and the Siege of Boston were some of the legendary events of the American Revolution that occurred there.

Of course, Boston is a world city and entire books have been written on its historical sites and modern attractions. We cannot begin to do it justice here. One thing to note is that Boston has been called a “city of neighborhoods,” as it has annexed smaller communities around it over the years that still have their own distinct ambiance. So one way to enjoy the city is just to travel around it and discover for yourself what some of those neighborhoods have to offer.

As far as major attractions are concerned, many people come to the city for the Boston Pops, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New England Holocaust Memorial, or sports teams like the Red Sox, Boston Braves, New England Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins. If you’re more interested in natural scenery and wildlife, Boston Harbor Islands State Park, Cape Cod National Seashore, or a Boston Harbor sightseeing cruise may be more your speed. Whatever you choose, just know in advance you’ll need more than one trip to do justice to all this amazing city has to offer.

4. Hingham, 1633 (population 5,979)

Hingham is built on land deeded to the colonists by Wompatuck, a friendly Native American tribal chief. The original settlers of the area came to the New World for religious reasons, fleeing the violent religious strife of 17th-century England. Two unrelated families with the surname “Lincoln” immigrated to the area. One of them produced General Benjamin Lincoln, who accepted the British surrender by Cornwallis at the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, which ended the American Revolution. The other Lincoln family were ancestors of President Abraham Lincoln.

Hingham offers a lot of ways to enjoy Boston Harbor and the surrounding area. For example, you can visit the Boston Harbor Island National Recreation Area, which includes several islands, the World’s End Reservation with a marina and public beach or the Wompatuck State Park. You’ll find good opportunities for camping, hiking, or riding bikes on local trails. And if all of that outdoor adventure makes you ready to get back to the comforts and excitement of the city, try taking the commuter boat ferry that connects Hingham with Boston.

5. Attleboro, 1634 (population 46,461)

Attleboro was settled on land deeded to colonists by friendly Wampanoag indigenous people. Unfortunately, relations between the indigenous and the newcomers deteriorated over time into open warfare with injustices committed on both sides. Reportedly George Washington visited the town at one point, staying at the Hatch Tavern. After the American Revolution, Attleboro developed a notable jewelry-making industry. By 1913, it even became known as the “Jewelry Capital for the World” with the L.G. Balfour company making class rings, World Series rings, and Super Bowl rings.

This city has more than 20 conservation areas, including Attleboro Springs, Bungay River Conservation Area, and Coleman Reservation. Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary is a 75-acre reserve where you can enjoy nature while hiking or snowshoeing. It’s a popular spot for bird spotting. Animal lovers should also check out Capron Park Zoo, particularly the nocturnal animal exhibit where day and night are reversed so visitors can see night creatures at their most active. If you’re in Attleboro around the Christmas holiday, check out the Festival of Lights at La Salette Shrine. It attracts about a quarter of a million visitors a year.

Capture the Spirit of Massachusetts!

Touring some of Massachusetts’s oldest cities is a great way to get a feel for the history not only of this state but of the country itself, from colonial days to the present. Each city has a story to tell in the natural habitat, the architecture of previous eras and today, and the art, entertainment, and industries that make this state a vibrant center of culture and American civilization. Getting to know Massachusetts will help you get a sense of the independent, entrepreneurial spirit of the whole country. We’re sure it’s a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

Summary Of The 5 Oldest Cities In Massachusetts

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