Lynn, Massachusetts

Template:Infobox Town MA Lynn is a city located in Essex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 89,050.

Lynn is home to companies such as:

• General Electric's jet engine division, a major local employer
• West Lynn Creamery (bought by Garelick Farms, another local company. Products are sold under the Garelick name now)
• Durkee-Mower (makers of Marshmallow Fluff)

History

Lynn was first settled in 1629 and was officially incorporated in 1850.

Colonial Lynn was a major part of the regional tannery and shoe-making industries which began in 1635. The boots worn by Continental Army soldiers during the Revolutionary War are thought to have been made in Lynn. The shoe-making industry drove urban growth in Lynn into the early nineteenth century. This historic theme is reflected in the city seal, which features a colonial boot.

Despite industrial expansion in the early 20th century, Lynn began to decline in the latter half of the century. Much like what was happing to many other older urban centers in Massachusetts, the city was plagued by an increase in crime

In the very early 1990s, the city of Lynn created an advertising campaign to improve the city's image. This was the "City Of Firsts" campaign.

Among the numerous Lynn Firsts that are claimed, include:

• First American jet engine
• Lydia E. Pinkham - First woman in advertising (and first woman in mass-marketing)
• First baseball game played under artificial light
• First dance academy in the U.S.
• First tannery in the U.S.
• First air mail delivery in the U.S.

In the early 2000's, a number of new development projects in Lynn have led to buzz that the city is experiencing a renaissance. Industrial buildings formerly left vacant have been bought and converted into loft spaces by real estate developers, and eagerly snapped up by young homebuyers who enjoy the urban lifestyle of Boston proper but can't afford the higher prices of lofts in Boston's South End and similar neighborhoods. The city itself is supplementing this resurgence by investing in antique lighting, new signage, brickwork and the building of a new multipurpose municipal football stadium. In addition, semi-pro baseball (The North Shore Spirit) can be enjoyed in Lynn at the newly renovated Fraser Field.

Geography

Lynn is located at 42°28'26" North, 70°57'20" West (42.473996, -70.955583)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.9 km² (13.5 mi²). 28.0 km² (10.8 mi²) of it is land and 6.9 km² (2.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 19.87% water.

Transit

Lynn is served by MBTA commuter rail and buses that connect it with Boston and nearby communities like Revere. There are ongoing studies on the feasibility of extending the Blue Line subway to the city.

A main commercial thoroughfare through southern Lynn is "The Lynnway", which carries Route 1A. Minor state routes include Route 129 (mostly Eastern Ave. and Chestnut St.) and Route 107 (mostly Western Ave.).

Attractions

• Lynn Woods, the largest municipal park in Massachusetts and the second largest in the country at 2200 acres, which is host to local historical sites such as Stone Tower, Steel Tower, the Wolf Pits, and Dungeon Rock, believed to be the site of still-unrecovered pirate treasure. Visit the Friends of Lynn Woods for more information.
• Mary Baker Eddy House, the home of the founder of Christian Science
• Lynn Historical Society Museum, the only organization collecting and preserving Lynn's history. Visit the Lynn Museum for more information.
• Lynn Heritage State Park (and new home of the Lynn Museum)
• High Rock Tower, a stone observation tower with a great view of Nahant, Boston, Downtown Lynn, Egg Rock, and the ocean
• Pine Grove Cemetery, a large historic cemetery, which some locals claim has the "second longest wall in the world".

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 89,050 people, 33,511 households, and 21,044 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,177.7/km² (8,233.7/mi²). There were 34,637 housing units at an average density of 1,236.0/km² (3,202.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.89% White, 10.55% African American, 0.37% Native American, 6.43% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 9.82% from other races, and 4.85% from two or more races. 18.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 33,511 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,364, and the median income for a family was $45,295. Males had a median income of $34,284 versus $27,871 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,492. 16.5% of the population and 13.2% of families were below the poverty line. 22.9% of those under the age of 18 and 14.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Neighborhoods

Lynn is loosely segmented into the following neighborhoods:

• Central
• West Lynn
• East Lynn
• Diamond District
• Wyoma Square
• Business District
• The Highlands
• Pine Hill
• The Fay Estates

Famous residents

• Frank G. Allen, governor of Massachusetts (1874-1950)
• Al Barile, songwriter/guitarist/lead vocals for SSD, a Boston hardcore punk band.
• Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Church of Christ, Scientist (1821-1910)
• William Dudley Pelley, founder of the Silver Legion of America (1890-1965)
• Daniel Pinkham, composer (b. 1923)

External links

• City of Lynn official site
• The Daily Item, Lynn's daily paper
• St. George, Greek Orthodox Church of Lynn
• Lynn Cyber District (last updated in 2001)