Waltham, Massachusetts

• 1. Founding And Early Settlement

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  The English arrived in the area now known as Waltham during 1634. They settled there as part of a larger community called Watertown. This region had been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years before European contact. The Pawtucket confederation and the Massachusett people held territory here. Early settlers noted an Indian Stockade near today's Cambridge Reservoir. An Indian Hollow existed within what is now Calvary Cemetery. A native trail called the Old Connecticut Path ran through the land. This path later became Route 20. The name Waltham likely comes from Waltham Abbey in Essex, England. Articles of incorporation dated the 15th of January 1738, officially recorded the town's new identity. It separated from Watertown to become its own municipality. No recognizable town center existed until the 1830s. The Boston Manufacturing Company donated land that formed the central square.

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• 2. Industrial Revolution Origins

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  Francis Cabot Lowell established the Boston Manufacturing Company in Waltham during the early 19th century. This facility was the first integrated textile mill in the United States. Its goal was to eliminate coordination problems inherent in subcontracting based industries. Quality control and shipping issues were addressed directly within this single location. The production method derived its name from both the city and the founder. It became known as the Waltham-Lowell system. The Charles River runs through the area with several dams. These dams powered textile mills and other endeavors in the early years. The city stretched along the river to support industrial activity. Grove Hill Cemetery was established in 1703 before the main industrial boom. The Waltham Cotton and Wool Factory Company formed in 1810. The Boston Manufacturing Company began business operations in 1813. A Waltham Bleachery was built shortly after. Manufacturers' Library became active around 1820. The Rumford Institute organized in 1827. The Hive newspaper began publication in 1833. The town of Belmont separated from Waltham in 1859.

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• 3. Horology And Watchmaking Legacy

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  The American Horologe Company relocated to Waltham in 1854. The company opened its factory there during that same year. This facility became the first to make watches on an assembly line. The Waltham Model 1857 watch was produced by the American Watch Company. It won a gold medal at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. The company produced over 35 million watches, clocks, and instruments before closing in 1957. The Waltham Horological School was established in 1870. The city earned the nickname watch city because of this industry association. The Waltham Foundry Co. was established in 1870. O'Hara Waltham Dial Company organized in 1891. Davis & Farnum Manufacturing Company operated in business during 1876. The Waltham Sentinel newspaper began publication in 1856. The Waltham Weekly Record began publication in 1876. The city incorporated as a city in 1884. The population reached 27,834 by 1910.

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• 4. Scientific Innovation And Defense

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  Percy Spencer invented the method to mass-produce the magnetron tube at Raytheon. This technology was applied to radar systems during World War II. Later, magnetron tubes became components in microwave ovens. Raytheon Company and Roving Software Inc. were headquartered in Waltham in 2003. RTX Corporation maintains its defense and aerospace headquarters there. The city borders Lexington to the north and Newton to the south. A triple homicide occurred on the 11th of September 2011. The Waltham Fire Department was established in 1816 with 166 full-time paid firefighters. The department is currently organized into three divisions of operations. These include fire suppression, fire prevention, and training. The MBTA commuter rail has two stops in Waltham along the Fitchburg-Boston Line. One stop sits across from City Hall while another lies near Brandeis University. Interstate 95 runs through the western part of the city. The Massachusetts Turnpike is located just to the south in Newton.

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• 5. Educational Institutions And Research

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  Brandeis University was established in Waltham in 1948. Bentley University relocated to the city in 1968. The Rose Art Museum opened at Brandeis University in 1961. The Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism nonprofit was established by Brandeis University in 2004. The Waltham Public Schools system includes seven elementary schools today. Two middle schools operate within the district including McDevitt and Kennedy. One senior high school named Waltham High School serves the community. The sports teams changed their name from Watchmen and Crimson to Hawks. The National Archives and Records Administration Northeast regional branch is located in Waltham. The Waltham Museum is devoted solely to the history of the city. Mark Gately remains the only stakeholder left of the museum. The Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation stands as a key historical site. The Lyman Estate was built in 1793 by Boston merchant Theodore Lyman I. Gore Place, a mansion built in 1806, houses former governor Christopher Gore's estate.

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• 6. Demographic Shifts And Diversity

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  The population reached 65,218 according to the 2020 United States census. There were 23,891 households recorded in that count. Racial makeup included 60.5% White residents and 7.6% Black or African American individuals. Asian populations comprised 11.8% of the total. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 22.3% of the population. Foreign-born residents accounted for 26.6% of all Waltham residents. Of these foreign-born people, 41.5% were born in Asia while 32.7% came from Latin America. An estimated 1500 Ugandans live in the city today. Some refer to Waltham as Little Kampala due to this community presence. The Ugandan North America Association is headquartered here along with St. Peters Church of Uganda Boston. Wilberforce Kateregga established Waltham College Uganda in Seeta Nazigo, Uganda. This boarding school serves over 300 orphans and children affected by AIDS. The annual Latinos en Acción Festival celebrates Puerto Rican, Mexican, Peruvian, and Guatemalan residents. It includes a parade, music, food, and a beauty pageant.

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• 7. Modern Economy And Infrastructure

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  Moody Street offers its own brand of entertainment with shops, restaurants, and bars. The street has become known as Restaurant Row because of local businesses. A free Tick Tock Trolley operates Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 6pm until 11pm. Starting in 2020, the city shut down Moody Street to vehicular traffic annually from May 1 until October 31. This closure allows outdoor dining and storefront access during warmer months. Bus stops temporarily relocate when the road segment closes. Top employers include Bentley University and Brandeis University each employing between 1,000 and 4,999 people. Fresenius Medical Care North America employs a similar number of staff. National Grid provides utility services to the region. Vistaprint handles print and design services for clients. Eversource Energy supplies power to the area. MetLife Insurance and Sanofi Genzyme Biotechnology operate within the city limits. TJX Companies maintains retail corporate headquarters here. Footwear manufacturer Wolverine World Wide moved their regional headquarters to CityPoint campus in July 2016. C & J Clark America relocated headquarters from Newton to the Polaroid site in October 2016.

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