Marblehead, Coastal colonial town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States
Marblehead is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, spread across a rocky peninsula that juts into Massachusetts Bay. The streets run narrow between wooden and stone houses, some dating back to the 17th century.
The town broke away from Salem in 1648 and grew rapidly as a fishing port with nearly one hundred vessels by the mid-19th century. After the fishing industry declined, the place shifted into a center for recreational sailors.
The name comes from the limestone cliffs along the coast that caught the attention of early settlers. Today you often see sailors walking between harbors and local shops along the narrow lanes.
Abbott Hall in the center serves as a good starting point for walks through the old lanes and along the waterfront. The Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary at the outer tip of the peninsula offers short trails with ocean views.
The harbor often holds wooden boats from the 1920s that are still used for races. Many houses carry small brass plaques with the names of former residents from colonial times.
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