Ipswich, Colonial town in Essex County, Massachusetts
Ipswich is a settlement on the North Shore of Massachusetts in Essex County, where the Ipswich River meets the sea. The coastline alternates between sandy beaches and salt marshes, while the inland areas are crossed by forests and fields.
John Winthrop the Younger founded the settlement in 1633 as one of the first English colonies in the region. Reverend John Wise led an early protest against British taxes in 1687, long before independence.
The town takes its name from Ipswich in England, and many streets still follow the grid laid out in the 17th century. Residents often gather at the town common, where historic wooden houses frame the center.
The train station sits near the center and offers connections to Boston and other coastal towns. A local shuttle runs between main points, so visitors can manage without a car.
By 1900, the Ipswich Hosiery Mills operated as the largest stocking factory in the country and shaped the local economy. Today, the brick buildings stand empty and remind visitors of the industrial era.
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