2006-06-00 Lexington Heritage Landscape Report

Browse Search

LEXINGTON HISTORY Native American trails passed through the Lexington area, which was probably used for hunting and gathering but to date has not been documented as a primary Native American settlement. Some evidence of campsites in the Middle and Late Archaic Periods (8,000-3,000 B.P.)has been found. The first European settlers came from Cambridge and Waltham. Originally a part of Cambridge, Lexington was set off as a precinct in 1691 and was incorporated as a town in 1713. The economy was initially based on farming and grazing, with a mill site at East Lexington by the mid-17th century. Peat was harvested in the Great Meadows area for local fuel consumption. The town center was formed by the late 17th century and some First Period houses still survive. Massachusetts Avenue was a major early transportation route. The rest of the road system developed in a radial pattern from the town center. On April 19, 1775 Lexington became nationally known for its role in the Revolutionary War. After the war Lexington became more active as a trade and transportation hub with a compact village center, outlying agricultural areas and gradually improved road system. The economy diversified with the addition of small industries. Some Federal Period houses remain, both high style and vernacular buildings. In the first half of the 19th century Lexington remained a farming community with small-scale industries and trade at the town center and in the village of East Lexington. Fur dressing was a major industry, with four factories in operation at one time. Other early 19th century industries included two sawmills, a gristmill and a spice mill. Boot and shoe production were popular home industries. The road system was improved in the mid-19th century. Arrival of the railroad in 1846 made access to Boston easier and brought new residents to Lexington. Farmers became increasingly involved in specialty market gardening and milk production. Industrial activity remained small-scale. Many of the town's noteworthy civic structures date from the mid to late 19th century including the original railroad depot, Victorian churches,industrial buildings and two neighborhoods of architect-designed houses. Agriculture declined by the mid-20th century, with greatly increased residential development in the second half of the century, including several clusters of architect-designed modern housing. Concord Turnpike (1Route 2) was built in the 1930s to by-pass Lexington Center. The Bicentennial brought higher visibility to Minute Man National Historical Park and a strong interest in history. The population remained under 1,000 during the Colonial Period,reached 2,549 in 1855 and fluctuated during the latter part of the 19th century. In 1905 nearly a quarter of the population was foreign born, with residents from Ireland,Nova Scotia and England. During the early 20th century the population grew rapidly, reaching over 13,000 by 1940. Today it is approximately 34,000. Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory Program 2 Lexington Reconnaissance Report