Chelmsford, Colonial town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Chelmsford is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, situated roughly 24 miles north of Boston with both residential and commercial areas spread across its landscape. The town is bordered by Lowell, Tewksbury, Carlisle, Billerica, Westford, and Tyngsboro, making it part of a larger regional network.
The settlement was established in 1633 and formally incorporated in 1655, beginning as an agricultural community with sawmills and limestone quarries that eventually transformed into a modern residential center. This economic shift shaped the town's development over the centuries.
The Town Common serves as the heart of the community, where locals and visitors gather for celebrations like Independence Day in July and the yearly Winterfest festival held each February.
Visitors can find various businesses and services at Chelmsford Cross Roads, where Routes 495, 3, and 129 intersect, offering convenient access from multiple directions. The central location makes it easy to reach other nearby communities from this hub.
In 1657, John Fiske, a minister at the local Unitarian church, wrote a religious teaching text called the Chelmsford Catechism that is now housed in the New York Public Library. This manuscript offers a glimpse into the educational and spiritual life of the early settlement.
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