NEIGHBORHOOD TOUR - Ipswich

The village of Ipswich Massachusetts was first incorporated in 1643. It was originally called New Meadows, and many colonists had settled in the area as tenants or squatters. At the time, Topsfield had a population of about 25 to 50 people, living in twelve families. The village’s population grew to more than 250 by 1675, but the people remained primarily farmers. Next article here.

As early as 1654, the town had about two hundred residents. At that time, there were no roads and no other buildings, and the town was largely undeveloped. The first cultivated land was north of the Ipswich River. The town was scattered with farms, and this pattern was inconsistent with the contemporary definition of a village. As late as the 17th century, large tracts of common land still remained. While some of the town was divided up into individual parcels, a substantial portion of the southern part of the town remained common.

The town’s history is rooted in the history of the area. It was home to the Pawtucket Indians, who lived in a region between Salem, Massachusetts, and southern Maine. The Agawam and Naumkeag Indians, a sub-tribe of Massachusetts, also established trails along the Ipswich River. These tribes were led by Penacook, who later became the town’s mayor. A great post here.

There are a lot of great places to visit and see in Ipswich, MA. We compiled a quick list here.

Point Of Interest #1 Ipswich Museum, 54 S Main St, Ipswich, MA 01938

Point Of Interest #2 Greenwood Farm, 47 Jeffrey’s Neck Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938

Point Of Interest #3 Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938

Point Of Interest #4 The Mansion at the Hellenic Center, 117 County Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938

Point Of Interest #5 Ipswich Country Club, 148 Country Club Way, Ipswich, MA 01938