HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF REVERE, MASS.
Revere is on the Atlantic Ocean between Boston and Lynn. It is borders on Chelsea, Winthrop, East Boston, Saugus, Everett, Malden, and Melrose. Its two natural features of note are Rumney Marsh and Revere Beach.
BRIEF HISTORY
COLONIAL PERIOD: Originally settled by Pawtucket (Rumney Marsh) Indians, Europeans came in 1620's.
1634 became part of Boston
1639 part of Chelsea
It remained a farming community for next two hundred years.
BATTLE OF CHELSEA CREEK
In May 1775 second battle of Revolution and first naval battle fought at Chelsea Creek; the United Colonies destroyed a first-line ship of the British Navy suffering three wounded and inflicting 40 to 60 casualties on the British.
1846 became North Chelsea
1871 Town of Revere: named for Paul Revere
1880 Revere Beach became a resort from this date
1896 Revere Beach became America's first public beach; it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan District Commission which maintains the Beach to this day.
1915 Revere became a city
POINTS OF INTEREST
Old Rumney Marsh Burying Ground; opened 1690.
- Slade's Mill; first tidewater mill in U.S. City Hall;
- Town Hall rebuilt 1896.
- Public Library; a Carnegie Library from early 1900's
- Horatio Alger House; birthplace of famous 19th Century novelist Horatio Alger Jr., 108 Beach Street;
- old Immaculate Conception Parish Rectory; site for our historic and cultural center; built 1901.
REVERE BEACH
1880's Trolley and train service from Lynn and Boston opened the Beach up to visitors in the 1880's. Wonderland Park from 1906-1911 was the world's first theme park (Alice in Wonderland.)
Revere Beach was world famous for amusements, roller coaster, carousels, shows, fireworks, and aviation demonstrations (airplanes, balloons, gliders, etc.) Revere Beach flourished until 1970's when amusements were torn down to make way for hotels and condominiums. Beach is three miles long, and crescent shaped.
