Groveland, Massachusetts

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Groveland, Massachusetts
nickname = G-Land
motto = A good place to grow

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imagesize =
image_caption = The Groveland Bridge on the Merrimack River
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in Essex County in Massachusetts


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Massachusetts
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Essex
established_title = Settled
established_date = 1639
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = 1850
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
government_type = Open town meeting
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 24.4
area_total_sq_mi = 9.4
area_land_km2 = 23.2
area_land_sq_mi = 8.9
area_water_km2 = 1.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.5
population_as_of = 2000
settlement_type = Town
population_total = 6038
population_density_km2 = 260.7
population_density_sq_mi = 675.2
elevation_m = 15
elevation_ft = 48
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 42 |latm = 45 |lats = 37 |latNS = N
longd = 71 |longm = 01 |longs = 55 |longEW = W
website = http://www.grovelandma.com/
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 01834
area_code = 351 / 978
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 25-27620
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0618298
footnotes =

Groveland, Massachusetts (ZIP code 01834) is a small residential town located in northern Essex County, bordering Boxford, Georgetown, Haverhill, and West Newbury. The town is divided into two precincts, Groveland and South Groveland and is in the Massachusetts's 6th congressional district.

History

Groveland was originally the East Parish of Bradford, which was originally part of the town of Rowley. Before Bradford was separated from Rowley and named Bradford in 1672, it was called "Rowley on the Merrimack", or just "Merrimack". Bradford in turn was annexed by Haverhill, in 1897. Groveland officially incorporated as a separate Massachusetts town in on September 9, 1850. Groveland residents celebrate the anniversary of this date as "Groveland Day".

In December 1638 after seventeen years of service, the Reverend Ezekiel Rogers was discharged from his post as rector of the parish of Rowley in Yorkshire, England. He had refused to read "that accursed book allowing sports on the Lord's Day." Believing the future of Puritanism was at stake, he and the members of twenty families sailed for the New World. Within these families were people of means and learning, including farmers, weavers, carpenters, and smiths. They landed at Salem, Massachusetts, but did not attempt to make a settlement until the following spring. The first printing press brought to America was onboard that same ship, the "John".

Since there were no plantations left along the coastline, Reverend Rogers settled a tract of land between Ipswich and Newbury, where a land boom had developed. These two towns had already established grants on this tract, so the newcomers were required to purchase them for £800. Reverend Rogers's settlement was established in modern-day Rowley. Named Roger's Plantation and later Rowley after the English town, the initial settlement comprised sixty families. In September 1639, the town incorporated, and included the territory now occupied by Rowley, Georgetown, Groveland, Boxford, and Bradford.

The Congregational Church in Groveland has a bell crafted by Paul Revere. Of the 900 bells made by Revere's company, this is the only remaining bell in active service. In town hall, the oldest hand-pump fire-engine in the country is on display. Built in 1798 and originally named "TORRENT" of Roxbury, MA, the hand pumper was moved to Bradford, MA in 1828 and renamed "Engine 2." In 1850, the same year East Bradford became Groveland, the pumper was renamed "VETO."

Downtown Groveland

Groveland’s Downtown is framed by the gazebo in Elm Park. Elm Park is a recent addition to Groveland. In the early part of the last century, Elm trees were dominant in the landscape. Then, about 1950, many Elm trees died of Dutch elm disease. It is only recently that resistant varieties of Elm trees were developed. With this development, the townspeople built a new park, planted with the new resistant variety. Since Groveland is primarily a bedroom community, there is naturally considerable traffic during the commute drive time. However, once the rush is over, the town reverts to a sleepy little village with children, and some grownups, riding their bicycles about.

Named Constitution Park when first created in 1832 it wasn't until 1857 that the Elm trees arrived and with it the park's new name. Elm Park was the first planned housing development in the area. House lots were laid out around the common and the owners of which given rights to the well at the south end of the common. By the 1950s, Dutch elm disease had ravaged most of the trees. In the early 1960s, the last tree was taken down and the park's fountain dismantled. Thirty years later, thanks to the perseverance of Groveland residents and town officials the town received the first of several state grants to restore Elm Park. With assistance from the Department of Environmental Management, the Historic Commission and others, Groveland has succeeded in restoring Elm Park to its historic charm.

Today visitors can walk along new sidewalks lit at night by new versions of the park's original lampposts. A new fountain resembling the original, a gazebo much like the old Methodist meeting house that sat at the south end of the park, and a new clock adorn the grounds. A large stone sign and monuments to local veterans depict some of the park and town's history. The new Elm trees are planted in roughly the same pattern as the originals.

The first town post office was established in 1810 in Bradford, and was located in Squire Greenough’s store on Main Street. Mr. Greenough was the postmaster until 1825, when he was succeeded by Capt. Benjamin Parker, who relocated the post office, at first, to his own store, and then to the blacksmith shop near the Haverhill Bridge. Later that same year, the building itself was moved to the other side of the street, where it remained for many years. After the town of Groveland was established in 1850, a new post office was built approximately half a mile from the present location on Main Street.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.4 square miles (24.4 km²), of which, 8.9 square miles (23.2 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.2 km²) of it (4.99%) is water. Johnson's Pond is popular for fishing though until the early 1990s the pond was a public water-supply for Haverhill(Bradford) so technically, fishing is not allowed. Groveland is on the Merrimack River, the life-blood for many of American's early textile mills.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 6,038 people, 2,058 households, and 1,706 families residing in the town. The population density was 675.2 people per square mile (260.8/km²). There were 2,096 housing units at an average density of 234.4/sq mi (90.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.39% White, 0.35% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 0.46% of the population.

There were 2,058 households, of which 43.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.4% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.1% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the town the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $69,167, and the median income for a family was $73,996. Males had a median income of $49,201 versus $32,418 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,430; about 3.0% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those, age 65 or over.

Crime

The number of violent crimes recorded by the FBI in 2005 was 2 with 0 murders and homicides. The violent crime rate was 0.331 per 1,000 people.

Government

Groveland has an open-town meeting form of government. The Board of Selectmen comprises three members who are elected, one each year, for three-year terms, in the annual town election. The Selectmen are vested with all the municipal authority not specifically retained by the town's legislative body, town meeting, or other elected boards. The Selectmen are responsible for all facets of governmental duties. The warrants for the annual and special town meetings are generated from their office, as are any warrants for any elections or override votes scheduled. The Selectmen work together with the Finance Director, the Town Accountant, and Finance Committee members, to establish the annual operating budget for the town. Every July 1st the Selectmen appoint residents to various official boards and commissions, approve the hiring of all employees, hold public hearings on important town issues, and enforce town by-laws and regulations. The Board of Selectmen meets bi-weekly on Monday evenings, unless otherwise posted, at 6:00 smallcaps|pm in their conference room at Town Hall. Most all of the meetings on important town issues in which the public are expected to participate are held after normal "working hours." This allows the working public to participate fully in the government of the town.

Groveland Town Hall

The town's administrative complex is located on Main Street, and contains the town hall, police and fire stations, and the Langley-Adams Library. Located at 183 Main Street, the Groveland Town Hall contains most of Groveland's municipal offices. The large windows in front expose a showroom containing historic artifacts, including the famous "VETO No. 2" fire pumper, Groveland's first fire apparatus.

Groveland Police Department

Because of the low crime-rate, there is not a lot of visible activity here. However, the police are on duty 24/7 and a dispatcher is always on site. This facility even contains a jail for temporary holding of suspects. It is very modern. The quality and capability of a Police Department has often been demonstrated by its leadership. Groveland’s Police Chief Ronald Weeks has been in law enforcement for 32 years. He joined the department as a patrolman in 1974 and attended the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council Academy where he was elected president of his class. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1994 and to Lieutenant in 1997. He was appointed Chief in 1999. Throughout his career, he has held positions of truant officer, training officer and court prosecutor. He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Haverhill Bar Association since 1994 and is currently an Adjunct Professor with Western New England College.

Groveland Fire Department

The Fire Department consists of 40 firefighters all of which serve on a paid call basis. The Fire Department serves the town in all areas of fire suppression including residential, commercial, and woodland properties. It is also responsible for conducting water and ice rescue in addition to providing numerous emergency medical service calls. Fire personnel undergo rigorous and diversified training on an ongoing basis in order to develop the skills necessary to provide the services needed in a rapidly growing community. The department’s equipment and manpower is designed to be flexible, efficient, effective, and tailored to addressing the specific community needs. However, in the final analysis the dedicated and highly trained family of firefighters makes the difference. The Fire Department helped pump out basements after a recent flood. As part of a helpful community of volunteers, they have even rescued cats from rooftops and trees.

Langley-Adams Library

Langley-Adams Library is a public library and a member of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium, sharing borrowing privileges with other area libraries. The Langley-Adams Library uses the Horizon library automatic system, which was provided by the SirsiDynix Company and implemented in 2004.

Education

Groveland is a member of the Pentucket Regional School District, which includes the towns of West Newbury and Merrimac. Groveland itself currently has one educational institution, the Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall Elementary School. Junior and senior high school students attend Pentucket Regional Middle School and Pentucket Regional High School, respectively, which are located in West Newbury. The Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall Elementary School is also home to the Groveland Summer Recreation Program, a very popular non-profit summer day camp run by the Town of Groveland. Approximately 250 children between the ages of 6-15 attend this seven week recreation camp. The program runs from the last week in June to the second week in August each year. 2009 will mark its sixth year in operation, and the program's fifth year under its current director. The 2009 program officially begins on Monday, June 29, 2009.

Transportation

Downtown Groveland is marked by the intersection of two state highways, routes 97 and 113, which is also where the town’s only stoplight is located. The Groveland Bridge, which crosses the Merrimack River into Haverhill, is also located downtown.

Places of worship

*Groveland Congregational Church, 4 King Street
*St James Episcopal Church, 121 Washington Street
*New Destiny Christian Church, 2 Esty Way
*St Patrick's Parish, 114 Center Street

Points of interest

The town supports baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, picnic areas and parks, as well as boating facilities on the Merrimack River. In 2005, Groveland built Elm Park near its center, replacing a basketball court. The town also built a new basketball court half a mile away in the town’s recreation area, the "Pines". North Groveland is also home to attractions such as Stickney's Boulder and Cedardale. South Groveland contains notable attractions such as Washington Park, Nuns' Hill, Steve's Corner, and the Fertile Crescent. The town's "Sand Pits," long a spot for automobile arson and adolescent hi-jinx, are soon to be converted into a mixed-income condominium complex.

The Pines Recreation Area

The Pines Recreation area comprises two basketball courts, two baseball diamonds, and facilities for cookouts, bonfires, fireworks observation, plus access to the Merrimack River. A skateboard area also exists, but is not as popular as in the past. The Pines also provides a nature trail that runs through a wooded area along the river. Motor vehicles have been excluded from this trail so it is a quiet place to walk or jog. In addition to the sports facilities, the Pines Recreation area also provides swings and similar playground equipment for the youngest family members who might not yet be old enough to enjoy the sports facilities.

outh Groveland

Notable residents

*Pat Badger, Bassist for the Boston band Extreme (band)
*Larry Dorr, Manager of Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Chuck Negron, Paula Cole
*XXXena, famous pornstar
*Jay Band, Guitar Player and vocalist for New Hampshire rock band Permanent Holiday

References

* [http://www.usigs.org/library/books/ma/Groveland/groveland1950.html An Outline of Groveland History]
* [http://www.mass.gov/cc/groveland.html Groveland info from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts]
* [http://www.usigs.org/library/books/ma/Groveland/groveland1950_5.html Early history of Groveland]
* [http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_08_ma.html 2005 FBI crime statistics for Groveland]
*Kingsbury, J D. "Memorial History of Bradford". published in 1883 by C C Morse and Son.
*Cogswell, John. "History of Bradford". from the History of Essex County vol.2 published by Hurd in 1888.
*Perry, Gardiner . "Discourse on the History of Bradford". published in 1821.
* [http://www.topsfieldhistory.org/ Topsfield Historical Society] (1907), [http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=Hn9TYsK9gfEC&dq=vital+records+of+bradford+massachusetts&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=qrm207eTgP&sig=LBlzYFUKhYKN1zS0fmL_FzZEdbc#PPA10,M1 "Vital Records of Bradford, Massachusetts to the Year 1849"] at books.google. Full text transcription available at http://www.ma-vitalrecords.org/EssexCounty/Bradford/ .
*Kimball, Daniel and Daniel Stickney and Nathaniel Thurston. [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=BRADFORD.jpg&atlastype=Atlases&atlastown=ESSEX+COUNTY&atlas=ESSEX+COUNTY+1795&atlas_desc=ESSEX+COUNTY+1795&pageprefix= Map of Bradford 1795 ] .
*Spofford, Jeremiah and Benjamin Greenleaf. [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=BRADFORD.jpg&atlastype=Atlases&atlastown=ESSEX+COUNTY&atlas=ESSEX+COUNTY+1830&atlas_desc=ESSEX+COUNTY+1830&pageprefix= Map of Bradford 1831 ] . click on the map to get a very large image.
* D.G.Beers, 1872 "Atlas of Essex County". [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PLATE_0029.jpg&atlastype=Atlases&atlastown=ESSEX+COUNTY&atlas=ESSEX+COUNTY+1872&atlas_desc=ESSEX+COUNTY+1872&pageprefix= Map of Groveland.] Shows the Railway line.

External links

* [http://www.grovelandma.com Groveland Official Town website.] 183 Main St.
* [http://www.gsrp.org Groveland Summer Recreation Program Official Site] Location: Bagnall Elementary School
* [http://www.langleyadamslib.org/ Groveland Public Library.] [http://www.mvlc.org Merrimack Valley Library Consortium]
* [http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1161015 Groveland Historical Society]
* [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0136.jpg&atlastype=Atlases&atlastown=GROVELAND&atlas=ESSEX+COUNTY+1884&atlas_desc=ESSEX+COUNTY+1884&pageprefix= Groveland Map of 1884 Atlas of Essex County]
* [http://www.gsrp.org/ Groveland Summer Recreation Program Website]
* [http://www.cedardale.com/ Cedardale Website]
* [http://www.grovelanducc.org/ Groveland Congregational Church ] 4 King St.
* [http://saintjamesgroveland.org/ St.James Episcopal Church ] 119 Washington St.
* [http://www.parishesonline.com/Scripts/HostedSites/Org.asp?ID=989 St.Patricks Church ] 114 Center St. open and merged with:
* [http://sacredheartsparish.com/ Sacred Heart Church of Bradford and Groveland ]
* [http://www.wunderground.com/US/MA/Groveland.html Weather in Groveland]
* [http://www.grovelandmassachusetts.com/ City guide from masscities.com]
*Ted Kennedy and John Kerry are the US Senators for Massachusetts.
*John F. Tierney is the US Representative for the Massachusetts's 6th congressional district which includes Groveland.
*Bruce Tarr is the [http://www.mass.gov/legis/member/bet0.htm current member] of the Massachusetts State Senate for the First Essex and Middlesex District. His personal website is [http://www.brucetarr.com/ http://www.BruceTarr.com ] .
*Harriett Stanley is the [http://www.mass.gov/legis/member/hls1.htm current State Representative] for the Massachusetts Second Essex District. Her personal website is [http://www.harriettlstanley.org/ http://www.HarriettLStanley.org ] .