History of Marblehead, Massachusetts

Marblehead is a historic town in Massachusetts. It was first inhabited by the Naumkeag tribe before being settled as a fishing village by the Massachusetts Bay colonists in the 17^th century.

The following is a timeline of the history of Marblehead:

1629:

• The area is settled as a part of Salem by some local fishermen.

1636:

• Derby Fort is constructed on Naugus Head at the northwest corner of Marblehead’s peninsula to protect against Native American raids.

1638:

• Old Burial Hill on Orne Street is established.

• A meetinghouse is erected on the Old Burial Hill on Orne Street.

1644:

• Fort Sewall, an earthen fort, is constructed at Gale’s Head, the northeastern point of the Marblehead peninsula, on what is now Fort Sewall Terrace.

1649:

• On May 2, Marblehead is incorporated as a town in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

1663:

• The Ambrose Gale House, a First Period house, is built on Franklin Street.

1670:

• The Edward Homan House, a First Period House, is constructed on Circle Street.

• The Graves House, a First Period House, is built for three brothers from the Graves family on Orne Street.

1671:

• The John Peach Jr House, a Colonial-style house, is built for local landowner John Peach Jr on Gingerbread Hill.

1672:

• The Hannah Devereux Knott House, a First Period House, is built on Watson Street.

1677:

• In July, the Marblehead Riot of 1677 takes place during King Philip’s War when two Native Americans accused of attacking fishing boats in Maine are brought back to Marblehead and are beaten to death by an angry mob of women at the harbor.

• The John Chinn – Thomas Kimball House, a Georgian-style house, is built for John Chinn on Franklin Street and is later owned by Thomas Kimball in 1722.

1680:

• The Mailey – Dodd House, a Colonial-style house, is built for Samuel Dodd on Merritt Street.

• The Ambrose Gale Jr House, a First Period House, is built on Orne Street.

• The Stacey – Goodwin House, a First Period House, is built for John Stacey on what is now Stacey Street. In the 1850s, it was owned by abolitionist brothers Sam and Tom Goodwin and was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

• The Three Cods Tavern, a Colonial-style building, is constructed on Front Street.

1683:

• The John Palmer House, a First Period House, is built on Hooper Street.

1684:

• On September 16, heirs of sachem Nanepashemet sell their 3,700 acres of land in Marblehead to the colonists.

1686:

• The Nathaniel Norden House, a Colonial-style house, is built on Glover Street.

1692:

• On May 28, Marblehead resident Wilmot Redd is accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials and is arrested by Marblehead Constable James Smith.

• On September 14, Wilmot Redd’s witchcraft trial begins in Salem.

• On September 17, Wilmot Redd is found guilty of witchcraft and is sentenced to death.

• On September 22, Wilmot Redd is hanged in Salem.

1695:

• The William Waters – Nathan Bowen House is built on Mugford Street.

1700:

• The Martin House, a Colonial-style house, is built for the Knott Martin family on Elm Street.

• The George and Mary Girdler – John Sparhawk House is built on Green Street.

• The Eleazer Ingalls House is built on Front Street.

• The John Savage House, a Colonial-style house, is built for John Savage on Middle Street.

• The Bubier – Chamberlain House, a Colonial-style house, is built on Tucker Street.

• The John Allen House, a First Period House, is built for local fisherman John Allen on Washington Street.

1714:

• The Saint Michael’s Church, a Colonial-style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

1715:

• The Captain Benjamin Ireson House, a Georgian-style house, is built on Circle Street.

• The Philip Ashton House, a Colonial-style house, is built for fisherman Philip Ashton on Elm Street.

1720:

• The Harris Farmhouse, a First Period house, is built on the Manataug Trail.

1722:

• In June, local fisherman Philip Ashton Jr is captured by the famous pirate Edward Low off the coast of Nova Scotia.

1723:

• In March, Philip Ashton Jr escapes from the pirates when they stop at a small desolate island off the coast of the West Indies and he becomes a castaway.

1725:

• In March, Marblehead fisherman and castaway Philip Ashton Jr is rescued from the deserted island in the West Indies by Captain Dove of Salem when his ship stops on the island for fresh water. Ashton returns to his house on Elm Street in Marblehead and publishes an account of his adventure titled Ashton’s Memorial: A History of the Strange Adventures and Signal Deliverances.

1727:

• The Old Town House, a Georgian-style building, is constructed in Market Square and serves as a town hall.

1728:

• The Robert “King” Hooper Mansion, a Georgian-style house, is built on Hooper Street.

1730:

• The Elbridge Gerry House, a Georgian-style house, is built for merchant Thomas Gerry on Washington Street.

1731:

• The George Minot House and Store, a Georgian-style building, is constructed on Union Street.

1735:

• The Blacker’s Wharf Warehouse – Tucker’s House is constructed on Ferry Lane.

• The Driftwood restaurant is constructed on Front Street.

1740:

• The Thomas Gerry Warehouse, a Greek Revival-style building, is constructed on Front Street.

1744:

• Founding father Elbridge Gerry is born at the Elbridge Gerry House on Washington Street.

1750:

• The Rea Tavern is built on Washington Street.

1754:

• The Benjamin Pritchard House and Tailor Shop, a Colonial-style building, is constructed on Washington Street.

1755:

• The Marblehead Powder House is constructed on Green Street.

1762:

• The John Glover House, a Colonial-style house, is built for merchant John Glover on Glover Street.

1767:

• The Stephen Blaney House and Cabinet Shop, a Federal-style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

1767:

• The Jeremiah Lee Mansion, a Georgian-style house, is built for Jeremiah Lee on Washington Street.

1775:

• The British frigate Lively enters Marblehead Harbor and harasses the town by repeated firing upon it. Some of the bullets strike the Three Cod Tavern on Front Street.

• The Pedrick Mansion, a Federal/Georgian-style house, is constructed for Major John Pedrick on Washington Street.

• On February 26, a regiment of British soldiers under the command of Colonel Leslie lands in Marblehead and marches to Salem where a small skirmish takes place known as Leslie’s retreat. The soldiers then retreat and march back to Marblehead to board their ship waiting in Marblehead harbor.

1790:

• The Captain William Hawkes Warehouse, a Colonial-style building, is constructed on Goodwin’s Court.

• The John Harris Barn and Shop is constructed on Harris Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 5,661.

1800:

• The population of Marblehead is 5,211.

1807:

• The Samuel Bartoll House and Paint Shop are constructed on Front Street.

1810:

• The Marblehead Free School for Girls, a Federal-style building, is constructed on Tucker Street.

• The Society of Hopkinsonians Meeting House building, a Greek Revival-style building, is constructed on Watson Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 5,900.

1818:

• The Old North Chapel is built on Pearl Street.

1820:

• The population of Marblehead is 5,630.

1825:

• The Old North Church, a Federal-style building, is constructed on Washington Street.

1830:

• The population of Marblehead is 5,149.

1831:

• The National Grand Bank Building, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Hooper Street.

1835:

• The Saint Michael’s Parish House Rectory, a Federal/Greek Revival-style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

1839:

• The Gregory – Burgess – Parker Shipyard in Redstone Lane.

1840:

• Cloon’s Hardware Store is built on the corner of Washington Street and State Street and is later moved to Lee Street in 1880 and converted into a residence.

• The Michael H. Reynolds Shoe Factory, a Greek Revival-style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• The Levi Morse and Mercy Cross Northey House and Store, an Italianate-style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 5,575.

1846:

• The Royal Type Company, a factory building, is constructed on Green Street.

1849:

• The Michael Collins House and Grocery Store is built on Commercial Street.

1850:

• Granite Wharf is constructed at the Eastern Yacht Club on Foster Street.

• The Odd Fellows Home, an Italianate-style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• The Caswell Factory is constructed on Elm Street.

• The Gilley Cordwainer Shop is built for J. Gilley on Front Street.

• The Pitman Farm Homestead, a Greek Revival-style house, is established on High Street.

• The Ocean House Cafe is built on Selman Street.

• The Woodfin Shoe Shop is constructed on Sewall Street.

• The John Goodwin Machine Shop is constructed on Stacey Street.

• Old Bide-A-Wee Building, a Greek Revival-style building, is constructed on Washington Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 6,167.

1854:

• The Samuel Sewall School Building, an Italianate-style building, is constructed on Elm Street.

1855:

• The Joseph Harris and Sons Shoe Factory, a Colonial Revival/Italianate-style building, is constructed on Elm Street.

1856:

• Canniffe House and Clothing Shop is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

• The Canniffe House and Clothing Shop is built on Atlantic Avenue.

1859:

• Waterside Cemetery is established on West Shore Drive.

1860:

• The Old Gerry School, a Greek Revival-style building, is constructed on High Street.

• The Cottage Street School is constructed on Cottage Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 7,646.

1862:

• A grave is discovered at the Devereux Beach area which contains the skeleton of a Native American child and some glass beads.

1867:

• On February 5, a fire breaks out in the Joseph Harris & Sons shoe factory on Pleasant Street and destroys the factory, the Baptist Church and the home of Increase H. Brown.

1868:

• The Sea Gull Inn is constructed on Harbor Ave.

• The Old North Church Parsonage, a Second Empire-style building, is constructed on High Street.

• Saint Michael’s Rectory is constructed on Summer Street.

1869:

• Hibernian Hall, an Italianate-style building, is constructed for the Hibernian Friendly Society of Marblehead on Prospect Street.

1870:

• The John W. Chadwick Grocery Store is built on Bowden Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 7,703.

1871:

• The Marblehead Messenger Building, a Second Empire-style building, is constructed on Washington Street to serve as the offices of the newspaper The Marblehead Messenger.

1872:

• The Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church Rectory, an Italianate-style building, is constructed on Gregory Street.

• The Brookhouse Tenant House, a Victorian Eclectic-style house, is built on Humphrey Street.

1874,

• In November, a grave is discovered on a hill in Bessom Pasture. The grave contains five skeletons of what are believed to be Native Americans along with trinkets such as a small bell, beads, an earthen cup, and two sea shells. The bodies are donated to the Peabody Essex Museum.

1875:

• The Unitarian Parsonage, a Colonial Revival-style, is constructed on Elm Street.

1876:

• On July 4, the Marblehead Soldiers and Sailors Monument is erected on Pleasant Street. It is a 34-foot granite obelisk dedicated to the Marblehead soldiers and sailors of the Civil War.

• Abbot Hall, a Romanesque Revival-style building, is constructed on Washington Street to serve as a town hall, library and auditorium.

1877:

• The William C. Woodfin House and Store, a Second Empire-style building, is constructed on Essex Street.

1879:

• The Marblehead Academy, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• On June 25, a large fire destroys the entire business section of Marblehead, destroying 76 buildings in total including several large shoe manufacturies, the Eastern Railroad Depot and the South Church.

1880:

• The First Baptist Church, an Italianate-style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• The Story Grammar School, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Elm Street.

• The Owl Club is constructed on Commercial Street.

• The B. J. Hathaway Shoe Factory, a Colonial Revival-style factory building, is constructed on Lee Street.

• The Emery Brown Shoe Factory is built on Prospect Street.

• The Mugford Associates Building, a Victorian Eclectic-style building, is constructed on Washington Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 7,467.

1881:

• The Universalist Church, a Stick Style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• The Magee Shoe Factory is built on Bassett Street.

• The Hooper – Graves Boat Yard, a Colonial-style building, is constructed on Front Street.

• The William Litchman Shoe Factory, a Victorian Eclectic-style building, is constructed on Hanover Court.

• Sparhawk Shoe Factory is constructed on Washington Street.

• Wormstead’s Paint Shop is constructed for Joseph Wormstead on State Street.

• The William Cloon Hardware Store, an Italianate-style building, is constructed on Washington Street.

• The W. R. Arrington Drug Store, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Washington Street.

• The Steven Hathaway Grocery Store is constructed by Steven Hathaway on Washington Street.

• The Dolphin Yacht Club is constructed on Wharf Path.

1885:

• The Spanish American War Veterans Building, an Italianate-style building, is constructed on State Street.

1886:

• The John and Margaret White Grocery and Variety Store is constructed on Gregory Street.

• The Franklin Street Fire Station, a Victorian Eclectic-style firehouse, is constructed on Franklin Street.

1888:

• The Ambrose Brown Butcher Shop is constructed on Washington Street.

1889:

• Fountain Park is established on Orne Street.

• The Rechabite Block, a brick commercial building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• The Okomakemesit Veteran Fireman’s Association Building, a Victorian Eclectic-style building, is constructed on Washington Street to serve as an engine house.

1890:

• The Marblehead Firehouse Engine No. 1, an Italianate-style building, is constructed on School Street.

• The Symonds Hardware Store Building, a brick commercial building, is constructed on School Street.

• The F. A. Parker and Company Tenant House is built on Jersey Street.

• Fleet’s Store is constructed on Elm Street.

• The George Latimer Metcalf Box Factory, a Victorian Eclectic-style building, is constructed on Sewall Street.

• The Frank H. Stevens and Company Shoe Factory is built on Sewall Street.

• The Snow Tenement is built on Linden Street.

• The Atkins Shoe Factory, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Stacey Court.

• Graves Stationery Store, a Victorian Eclectic-style building, is constructed on Washington Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 8,202.

1891:

• The Bay View Boat Club is built on Goodwin’s Court before the club was later disbanded in 1899.

1892:

• The Thomas McCool Tobacco and Variety Store is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

1894:

• The Adams House Restaurant is constructed on Front Street.

1895:

• The Marblehead Lighthouse is constructed on what is now Lighthouse Lane.

• The Hanscom Brothers Tenement is constructed on Village Street.

1896:

• The Corinthian Market is built on Atlantic Avenue.

• The Society Rooms are built on Atlantic Avenue.

1898:

• The John O’Brien Biennerhassett Shoe Factory is constructed on Hawkes Street.

1900:

• The Glover Inn, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Front Street.

• The George Symonds Goss Building, a Classical Revival-style commercial building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• The John J. Shea Shoe Shop is constructed on Walnut Street.

• The M. A. Pickett Association Building, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Washington Street.

• Doane’s Plumbing Shop is constructed on Washington Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 7,582.

1901:

• The Haley’s Grocery and Provisions Store is constructed on Washington Street.

1902:

• Seaside Park is established on Atlantic Avenue.

1904:

• Samuel Roads Jr School, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Rowland Street.

1905:

• The U.S. Post Office – Marblehead Main Branch, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

1906:

• The Elbridge Gerry Elementary School, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Elm Street.

1910:

• The Boston Express Office, a commercial building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• The Bay View Boat Club on Goodwin’s Court becomes home to Dr. Hall’s hospital for depressed patients.

• The Unitarian – Universalist Church, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Mugford Street.

• New England Telephone and Telegraph Central Telephone Exchange Building is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 7,338.

1912:

• The Clifton Garage is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

• The Scott Gift Shop is constructed on Front Street.

• The Ferncroft Lodge, a rooming house and restaurant, is established in a house on Front Street.

• The Red Wing Inn, a Shingle Style building, is constructed on Gregory Street.

1913:

• The Marblehead High School, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

1914:

• The Rockaway Inn is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

1915:

• The Elliot Roundy Grandstand is erected at Seaside Park on Atlantic Avenue.

• The Daddy Scott Woodworking Shop is constructed on Stacey Court.

1920:

• The Hobbs Memorial Building, a Colonial Revival-style, is constructed on Clifton Avenue.

• The Elizabeth Barry Dress Shop is built on Gingerbread Hill.

• The population of Marblehead is 7,324.

1923:

• Radell’s Restaurant, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Front Street and serves as a restaurant.

1924:

• The Boulders – Flying Point, a large Shing Style cottage complex, is built on Ocean Avenue.

1925:

• Abby May’s Candy Shop Building is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

• The Marblehead Shoe Hospital Building is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

• The Sandy Beach Reservation is established on Coolidge Drive.

1926:

• Thorner Fish Store, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

• Humphrey Block, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on School Street.

1927:

• The Ship’s Cabin Hotel, a private hotel for yachtsmen, is constructed by Charles H.W. Foster on Front Street.

• The Sevinor Block, a Classical Revival-style commercial building, is constructed on Humphrey Street.

1927:

• The James E. Grave Yacht Yard is built on Beacon Street.

1930:

• The population of Marblehead is 8,668.

1936:

• Shube’s Market is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

• The Marblehead Motor Company building is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

1940:

• Chandler’s Row, a Colonial Revival-style commercial building, is constructed on Pleasant Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 10,856.

1942:

• The Marblehead Savings Bank, a Colonial Revival-style building, is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

1944:

• The Landing Restaurant is built on Front Street.

1947:

• Chandler Hovey Park, a four-acre park on the northern point of Marblehead neck, is established on Lighthouse Lane.

1948:

• The Marblehead United Spanish War Veterans Memorial is erected on Pleasant Street.

• The Ethel Colver House and studio is built for local artist Ethel Colver on Circle Street.

1949:

• The Precision Motor Works Repair Shop is constructed on Barnard Street.

• The Devito building is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

1950:

• The Barnard Hawkes Court No. and Court No. 2, two apartment buildings, are constructed on Barnard Hawkes Court.

• The Marblehead Atlantic Realty Building is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

• The Humphrey Street Apartments are constructed on Central Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 13,765.

1953:

• The Marblehead Junior High School is built on Village Street.

1956:

• The Eveleth School is built on Brook Road.

• The Mulrey Building is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

1958:

• The Temple Emanu-El is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

1960:

• The John Proctor Apartments are built by land developer John Proctor on Circle Street.

• The Doane Plumbing Shop is constructed on Washington Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 18,521.

1962:

• Temple Sinai is constructed on Community Road.

1963:

• The Adams House Restaurant is demolished on Front Street and replaced with the Adams House Apartment building.

1965:

• Radell’s Restaurant is remodeled into an apartment buildings.

1970:

• The Ball Apartment Block is constructed on Central Street.

• Prospect Court is constructed on Prospect Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 21,295.

1971:

• The Joseph T. Barry Memorial is erected on Atlantic Avenue.

• West Marine Shop is built on Atlantic Avenue.

1978:

• The True Value Hardware store is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

1980:

• Hammond Park is established on Commercial Street.

• The population of Marblehead is 20,126.

1981:

• The Oliver Building is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

1983:

• The Hansen Condominiums are built on Highland Terrace.

1985:

• The Arthur L. Hillel Epstein School is constructed on Community Road.

1986:

• The Marblehead Vietnam Veterans Memorial is built on Pleasant Street.

1990:

• The population of Marblehead is 19,971.

2000:

• The population of Marblehead is 20,377.

2005:

• The J. Barrett and Company Building is constructed on Atlantic Avenue.

2010:

• The population of Marblehead is 19,808.

2020:

• The population of Marblehead is 20,441.

Sources:
Roads, Samuel Jr. A Guide to Marblehead. Charles Litchman, 1881.
Roads, Samuel Jr. History and Traditions of Marblehead. Houghton, Osgood and Company, 1880.
MHC Reconnaissance Survey Town Report Marblehead. Massachusetts Historical Commission, 1985.
MACRIS, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, mhc-macris.net