History of Lynn, Massachusetts The area known today as Lynn was settled by members of the New England Company in 1629 and was incorporated as a town in 1631. (It was initially called Saugus and included what is today Lynn and Saugus.) Although the rocky coastal soils were difficult to farm, Lynn remained primarily an agricultural community into the early 19thcentury when farmers became increasingly involved in cottage industries. These included fishing, shoemaking and milling, as well as leather tanneries along the Black Marsh (Tannery) Brook. Between 1820 and 1840 small-scale shoemaking became an important part of the community's economic base. The Eastern Railroad from Boston to Salem opened in Lynn in 1838 creating a new commercial focus at Central Square, which included shoe factories and associated workers’ housing. It was during this period that Market Street developed as a commercial thoroughfare. Development of the shoe sewing machine in 1848 revolutionized the shoe industry, transforming it from a cottage industry to a factory system. Lynn was incorporated as a city in 1850 and prospered through the Civil War as the shoe industry flourished. Central Lynn was destroyed by a major fire in 1869 but quickly rebounded with further commercial and industrial development. Another major fire occurred in 1889 and many of the earlier buildings were replaced with large brick factories. By the late 1800s Lynn had become the shoe center of the country. The demand for cheap labor generated an influx of European immigrants. Between 1860 and 1910 Lynn's population grew by 450%. Concurrently the Diamond District emerged as an upper class neighborhood of suburban houses on large lots along the shore. The shoe industry declined by the 1920s and the General Electric Company became Lynn's primary employer. As Lynn evolved into an industrial city in the late 19th century, the community made a strong commitment to municipal infrastructure, notably in providing open space and assuring an adequate supply of municipal water. Lynn Woods, High Rock Reservation and Lynn Shore Drive, all established around the turn of the century, are considered three of the city's most important open spaces. During the early 20thcentury the Olmsted firm was consulted regarding planning of many of the community's parks. The municipal water system established in 1870 is still in use today. The population of Lynn peaked in the early 20th century and has been in decline until recently, when it has experienced a small increase. The 1990 population was just over 81,000, about 25% of whom were minorities, including a rapidly growing Hispanic population. Today Lynn is one of the most densely settled communities on the North Shore with more than 3,500 people per square mile. It is also a city of neighborhoods with the highest density population adjacent to the central business district in East Lynn. The area surrounding Lynn Woods is characterized by relatively low-density neighborhoods. Lynn remains largely an industrial city, although some of the mill buildings are being converted to housing and to more diversified commercial and high technology uses. Lynn Common was established in 1706 as a training field. Today it is a long narrow Victorian style park broken in the middle by Hannify Square. The focal point of the common is the Frederick Douglas Bandstand. There is also a cast iron fountain, which is a replacement for an earlier fieldstone fountain. Colored lights have been added at the base. The shelter/comfort station is a late 20thcentury addition. The common is bounded by North Common Street and South Common Street with Market Square and Western Burial Ground located immediately to the west. The neighborhood surrounding it has become Lynn's major civic area, which includes public buildings such as City Hall, Public Library (with landscape designed by the Olmsted firm), National Guard Armory and several prominent churches, including St. Stephen’s and St. Mary’s. Also located along the Saugus River is Needham's Landing, a historic ferry crossing that dates to 1638 when Garrett Spenser was given the right to run a ferry from Ballard’s landing in Saugus to Needham’s landing in Lynn. In the late 1800s Needham's Landing was the site of a popular bathing beach with bathhouse Lynn residents identified four burial grounds as heritage landscapes, three of which are city-owned and one of which is private. All have been documented on MHC inventory forms. The three older ones all show signs of deterioration, with damaged headstones and monuments, overgrown plant material and a general lack of care. Pine Grove Cemetery, which remains in active use, is in better condition but also faces some preservation challenges Friends Burying Ground The Friends Burying Ground, also known as New Light Cemetery and Meeting House Lot, is located behind the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Silsbee Street. It is a small (less than an acre) privately owned burying ground established in 1722. The burying ground is in two sections, divided by a privet hedge. There is an iron fence across the front. There are more than 100 headstones and monuments of varying types, most dating to the 19thcentury. There is also a large copper beech tree. The burying ground is in poor condition with overgrown vegetation and many monuments broken or toppled. The site is not well known and appears not to be receiving any care. It is located in the Diamond Historic District Pine Grove Cemetery Pine Grove Cemetery, located on Boston Street, was laid out in 1850 with the involvement of Henry A.S. Dearborn, who was also responsible for the design of Mount Auburn Cemetery. The cemetery, which is approximately 150 acres, exemplifies the mid-19thcentury rural cemetery style with rolling topography, winding roads, varied 19thand 20thcentury monuments and the Rose Chapel. Two monuments, the Hiker and the World War I monument, have recently been restored and have preservation restrictions on them Western Burial Ground, which is municipally owned, is listed on the National Register as part of the Lynn Common NR District. It is in poor condition. Located at 36 Market Square. Read the 1886 History Eastern Burial Ground, which is municipally owned, may be eligible for listing on the National Register. [source: Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory Program] ©2006 K. Torp