Reading, Massachusetts 257284 223203247 2008-07-03T01:08:33Z 71.162.118.65 /* Notable residents */ {{Infobox Settlement |official_name = Reading, Massachusetts |nickname = |motto = |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_seal = |image_flag = |image_map = Reading_ma_highlight.png |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]] |subdivision_name = [[United States]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Massachusetts]] |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Massachusetts|County]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts|Middlesex]] |established_title = Settled |established_date = 1639 |established_title2 = Incorporated |established_date2 = 1644 |established_title3 = |established_date3 = |government_type = [[Representative town meeting]] |leader_title = <!--[[Town Manager|Town<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Manager]]--> |leader_name = |leader_title1 = <!--Board of <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Selectmen--> |leader_name1 = |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 25.7 |area_total_sq_mi = 9.9 |area_land_km2 = 25.7 |area_land_sq_mi = 9.9 |area_water_km2 = 0.0 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.0 |population_as_of = 2000 |settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]] |population_total = 23708 |population_density_km2 = 922.1 |population_density_sq_mi = 2388.3 |elevation_m = 39 |elevation_ft = 129 |timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]] |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]] |utc_offset_DST = -4 |latd = 42 |latm = 31 |lats = 32 |latNS = N |longd = 71 |longm = 05 |longs = 45 |longEW = W |website = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/ |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 01867 |area_code = [[Area code 339|339]] / [[Area code 781|781]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 25-56130 |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 0618232 |footnotes = }} '''Reading''' is a town situated in [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts|Middlesex County]], [[Massachusetts]], [[United States]], some 10 [[mile]]s north of central [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]]. The population was 23,708 at the 2000 census. The local pronunciation is ''red-ing'' as opposed to ''reed-ing''. ==History== ===Settlement and Independence=== Many of the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]]'s original settlers arrived from [[England]] in the 1630s through the ports of [[Lynn, Massachusetts|Lynn]] and [[Salem, Massachusetts|Salem]]. In 1639 some citizens of Lynn petitioned the government of the colony for a ''place for an inland plantation''. They were initially granted six square miles, followed an additional four. The first settlement in this grant was at first called ''Lynn Village'' and was located on the south shore of the ''Great Pond'', now known as [[Lake Quannapowitt]]. On June 10th, 1644 the settlement was incorporated as the town of Reading, taking its name from the town of [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading in England]].<ref name=torh>{{cite web | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_WebDocs/townhistory | title = The Town of Reading - History | publisher = The Town of Reading | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> The first church was organized soon after the settlement, and the first parish, later known as ''South Reading'', became the separate town of [[Wakefield, Massachusetts|Wakefield]] in 1868. A special grant in 1651 added land north of the [[Ipswich River]] to the town of Reading. In 1853 this area became the separate town of [[North Reading, Massachusetts|North Reading]]. The area which currently comprises the town of Reading was originally known as ''Wood End'', or ''Third Parish''.<ref name=torh>{{cite web | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_WebDocs/townhistory | title = The Town of Reading - History | publisher = The Town of Reading | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> The town of Reading was initially governed by an [[open town meeting]] and a [[board of selectmen]], a situation that persisted until the 1940s. In 1693, the town meeting voted to fund [[public education]] in Reading, with grants of four pounds for three months school in the town, two pounds for the west end of the town, and one pound for those north of the Ipswich River. In 1769, the meeting house was constructed, in the area which is now the Common in Reading. A stone marker commemorates the site.<ref name=torh>{{cite web | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_WebDocs/townhistory | title = The Town of Reading - History | publisher = The Town of Reading | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> Reading played an active role in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. [[Minutemen]] were prominently involved in the engagements pursuing the retreating [[British Army]] after the [[battles of Lexington and Concord]]. [[John Brooks]], later to become [[Governor of Massachusetts]], was captain of the ''Fourth Company of Minute'' and subsequently served at the [[Battle of White Plains]] and at [[Valley Forge]]. Only one Reading soldier was killed in action during the Revolution; Joshua Eaton died in the [[Battle of Saratoga]] in 1777.<ref name=torh>{{cite web | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_WebDocs/townhistory | title = The Town of Reading - History | publisher = The Town of Reading | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> In 1791, sixty members started the Federal Library. This was a subscription Library with each member paying [[United States dollar|$]]1.00 to join, and annual dues of $.25. The Town's public library was created in 1868.<ref name=torh>{{cite web | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_WebDocs/townhistory | title = The Town of Reading - History | publisher = The Town of Reading | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> ===19th Century=== [[Image:Middlesex Canal (Massachusetts) map, 1852.jpg |thumb|200px|Beautiful 1852 Map of Boston area showing Reading and its Rail lines.]] The [[Andover-Medford Turnpike]] was built by a private corporation in 1806-7. This road, now known as [[Massachusetts Route 28]], provided the citizens of Reading with a better means of travel to the [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] area. In 1845, the [[Boston and Maine Railroad]] came to Reading and improved the access to Boston, and the southern markets. During the first half of the nineteen century, Reading became a manufacturing town. Sylvester Harnden's [[furniture]] factory, Daniel Pratt's [[clock]] factory, and Samuel Pierce's [[organ pipe]] factory were major businesses. By the mid 1800s, Reading had thirteen establishments that manufactured [[chair]]s and [[Cabinet (furniture)|cabinets]]. The making of [[shoe]]s began as a cottage industry and expanded to large factories. [[Necktie]]s were manufactured here for about ninety years. During and after Civil War the southern markets for Reading's products declined and several of its factories closed. For many years, Reading was an important [[coffin|casket]] manufacturing center.<ref name=torh>{{cite web | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_WebDocs/townhistory | title = The Town of Reading - History | publisher = The Town of Reading | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], members of the [[Richardson Light Guard]] of South Reading fought at the [[First Battle of Bull Run]]. A second company was formed as part of the [[Army of the Potomac]], and a third company joined General Bank's expedition in [[Louisiana]]. A total of 411 men from Reading fought in the Civil War, of whom 15 died in action and 33 died of wounds and sickness. A memorial exists in the Laurel Hill Cemetery commemorating those who died in the Civil War.<ref name=torh>{{cite web | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_WebDocs/townhistory | title = The Town of Reading - History | publisher = The Town of Reading | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> ===20th Century=== In the 20th century, Reading became a residential community with commuter service to Boston on the Boston and Maine Railroad and the [[Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway]]. Both commuter services were later taken over by the [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority]], and for many years, there was discussion of extending the [[Orange Line (MBTA)|MBTA Orange Line]] to Reading. Industrial expansion during that time included the Goodall-Sanford Co. off Ash Street, later sold to General Tire & Rubber Company. Additional businesses created after World War I included the [[Boston Stove Foundry]], [[Roger Reed Waxes]], [[Ace Art]], [[Addison-Wesley|Addison-Wesley Publishing]] and several other companies. For many years, Wes Parker's Fried Clams was a landmark off state Route 128. Military installations also came to the town, with two [[Project Nike|Nike missile sites]], one on Bear Hill and the other off Haverhill Street, and the opening of [[Camp Curtis Guild]], a [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]] training facility. The business community currently consists of a number of retail and service businesses in the downtown area, a series of commercial businesses in and around the former town dump on Walker's Brook Road (formerly John Street) as well as the [[Analytical Sciences Corporation]] (TASC).<ref name=torh>{{cite web | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_WebDocs/townhistory | title = The Town of Reading - History | publisher = The Town of Reading | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> In 1944, Reading adopted the [[representative town meeting]] model of local government in place of the open town meeting. In 1986, a new charter was adopted by the towns voters. This retained the representative town meeting and board of selectmen, but focused policy and decision making in a smaller number of elected boards and committees whilst providing for the employment of a [[town manager]] to be responsible for day to day operations of the local government.<ref name=torh>{{cite web | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_WebDocs/townhistory | title = The Town of Reading - History | publisher = The Town of Reading | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> Reading town officials raised a national controversy in the late 1970s when they refused to grant a common victulators license to the [[Sambo's]] restaurant chain on the ground that its name was based on [[racial stereotype|racial stereotyping]]. A [[Superior Court]] judge ruled in favor of the chain, but the restaurant opened and failed. The chain subsequently filed for bankruptcy protection and liquidated its assets in the [[Eastern United States]].{{fact|date=November 2007}} In recent years the town of Reading struggled with the decisions to build a new elementary school, to cope with the influx of new families to the community, and renovate the severely aging [[Reading Memorial High School]]. Both of these projects were approved and as of August 2007 the new building at the High School is completed.{{fact|date=November 2007}} ==Geography== Reading is located at {{coor dms|42|31|33|N|71|6|35|W|city}} (42.52585, -71.109939).{{GR|1}} According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of 9.9&nbsp;[[square mile]]s (25.7&nbsp;[[km²]]).None of the area is covered with water. Reading borders the following towns: [[Woburn, Massachusetts|Woburn]], [[Stoneham, Massachusetts|Stoneham]], [[Wakefield, Massachusetts|Wakefield]], [[Lynnfield, Massachusetts|Lynnfield]], [[North Reading, Massachusetts|North Reading]], and [[Wilmington, Massachusetts|Wilmington]]. ==Demographics== As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 23,708 people, 8,688 households, and 6,437 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was 2,388.3 people per square mile (921.8/km²). There were 8,823 housing units at an average density of 888.8/sq&nbsp;mi (343.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.47% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.36% [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.06% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.21% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.21% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.65% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.84% of the population. There were 8,688 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.22. In the town the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males. The median income for a household in the town was $77,059, and the median income for a family was $89,076. Males had a median income of $61,117 versus $39,817 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $32,888. About 1.7% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over. ==Government== The [[municipal government]] of the town of Reading comprises a [[representative town meeting]], whose members are elected from eight precincts. <ref>{{cite web | title = The Town of Reading - Voting Precincts | publisher = The Town of Reading | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_GIS/votingprecincts | accessdate = 2007-11-08}}</ref> The town meeting in turn elects a five member [[board of selectmen]], who serve for overlapping three year terms. The selectmen are responsible for calling the elections for the town meeting, and for calling town meetings. They initiate legislative policy by proposing legislative changes to the town meeting, and then implement the votes subsequently adopted. The also review fiscal guidelines for the annual operating budget and capital improvements program and make recommendations on these to the town meeting. In addition the board serves as the local road commissioners and licensing board, and appoints members to most of the town's other boards, committees, and commissions.<ref name=bos>{{cite web | title = The Town of Reading - Board of Selectmen | publisher = The Town of Reading | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_BOS/index | accessdate = 2007-11-08}}</ref> The day to day running of the town government is the responsibility of a [[town manager]], appointed by the board of selectmen.<ref name=bos>{{cite web | title = The Town of Reading - Board of Selectmen | publisher = The Town of Reading | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_BOS/index | accessdate = 2007-11-08}}</ref> ==Transportation== Reading is located close to the junction of [[Interstate 93]] and [[Interstate 95]]/[[Massachusetts Route 128]] to the north of Boston. I-93 provides a direct route south to central Boston and beyond via the [[Big Dig (Boston, Massachusetts)|''big dig'']], whilst I-95/128 loops around Boston to the west and then south before meeting up with I-93 again at [[Canton, Massachusetts|Canton]]. Reading is served by [[Reading (MBTA station)|Reading station]] on the [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority]]'s [[Haverhill/Reading Line|Haverhill/Reading commuter rail line]], which links the town to Boston's [[North Station]]. ==Education== Reading's public school system comprises:<ref>{{cite web | title = Directory List | url = https://www.edline.net/pages/Reading_Public_Schools/Contact_Information | publisher = Reading Public Schools | accessdate = 2007-11-08}}</ref> * [[Reading Memorial High School]] * [[Coolidge Middle School (Reading, Massachusetts)|Coolidge Middle School]]. * [[Parker Middle School]] * [[Alice M Barrows Elementary School]] * [[Birch Meadow Elementary School]] * [[Joshua Eaton Elementary School]] * [[JW Killam Elementary School]] * [[Wood End Elementary School]] Reading was an early and active participant in Boston's [[METCO]] program, which brought African-American and inner-city students from [[Boston]] to attend grades K-12.{{fact|date=November 2007}} ==Points of interest== *The [[Parker Tavern]] - The town's oldest remaining 17th Century structure, built in 1694. This property, on Washington Street, is currently owned and operated by the non-profit [[Reading Antiquarian Society]].<ref name=torh>{{cite web | url = http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/Pages/ReadingMA_WebDocs/townhistory | title = The Town of Reading - History | publisher = The Town of Reading | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> *The roof of the St. Athanasius Parish, on Haverhill St., was designed by Louis A. Scibelli and Daniel F. Tulley, and is one of the largest [[hyperbolic paraboloid]]s in the Western Hemisphere * Burbank Arena skating rink on Haverhill St. as well as private condos on Bear Hill St. both reside over the sites of decommissioned [[Army National Guard]] [[Nike Ajax]] missile silos.[http://ed-thelen.org/loc-m.html#B-03][http://ed-thelen.org/J-McGrath/NREADING.HTM] This is where the High School received its nickname the Rockets. ==Notable residents== *[[Clark Booth]], TV personality, lived and raised his children in Reading. A graduate of The College of Holy Cross, he was a sports commentator and special projects commentator for [[WCVB]], Channel 5. *[[Joshua Eaton]], farmer, who died in the Revolutionary War, at the Battle of Saratoga, lived his entire civilian life in Reading. *Walter F. MacConaway, biographer of explorer James Michael Prescott *[[Mark Erelli]], folk musician *[[JoAnne McGee]], actress *[[Gary LaPierre]], well-known radio personality, lived in Reading for years. His voice is recognized by most individuals living in the [[WBZ (AM)|WBZ]] radio (1030) listening area. *[[Moses Nichols]], officer during the [[American Revolutionary War]] *[[Eddie Peabody]], [[banjo]] player *[[Brad Whitford]], who replaced [[Ray Tabano]] (aka Crazy Raymond) as the second guitarist of [[Aerosmith]] *[[Lennie Merullo]], a professional baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs starting in 1941. He was a professional baseball scout for major league baseball for years. *[[Bill Russell]], professional basketball player and coach, once lived in Reading. *[[Tom Silva]], host of This Old House on PBS. ==See also== * [[List of Registered Historic Places in Reading, Massachusetts]] ==References== <references /> ==Further reading== *Dutton, E.P. [http://maps.bpl.org/id/06_01_002671/ ''Chart of Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay with Map of Adjacent Country''.] Published 1861. A good map of roads and rail lines from Reading to Boston and surrounding area. * ''History of the Town of Reading, including the Present Towns of Wakefield, Reading and North Reading with Chronological and Historical Sketches from 1639 to 1874''. By Lilley Eaton, 815 pages, published 1874. *''History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts'', by Samuel Adam Drake, published 1880, [http://books.google.com/books?id=hNaAnwRMedUC&pg=PA506&dq=History+of+Middlesex+County,+Massachusetts#PPA3,M1 Volume 2]. [http://books.google.com/books?id=hNaAnwRMedUC&printsec=titlepage&source=gbs_summary_r#PPA270,M1 Page 270 Reading by Hirum Barrus and Carroll D. Wright.] [http://books.google.com/books?id=hNaAnwRMedUC&printsec=titlepage&source=gbs_summary_r#PPA259,M1 Page 259 North Reading.] [http://books.google.com/books?id=hNaAnwRMedUC&pg=PA506&dq=History+of+Middlesex+County,+Massachusetts#PPA399,M1 Page 399 Wakefield by Chester W. Eaton.] ==External links== *[http://www.ci.reading.ma.us/ Town of Reading website] *[http://www.readingpl.org/ Reading Public Library] *[http://reading.k12.ma.us/ Reading Public School System] *[http://readingneighbor.net/ Reading Neighborhood Website] *[http://www.readingcbb.com/ Reading Community Bulletin Board] *[http://www.rctv.org/ Reading Community Television] *[http://docs.unh.edu/towns/ReadingMassachusettsMapList.htm Old USGS Maps of Reading.] {{Mapit-US-cityscale|42.52585|-71.109939}} {{Middlesex County, Massachusetts}} [[Category:Reading, Massachusetts| ]] [[Category:Middlesex County, Massachusetts]] [[Category:Towns in Massachusetts]] [[fr:Reading (Massachusetts)]] [[vo:Reading (Massachusetts)]] [[zh:Reading, Massachusetts]]