In Lynn, visit the Historical Society Museum, Mary Baker Eddy home (founder of Christian Science), Points of Interest. A.R. Civil War, (Grand Army Of the Republic) meeting hall and museum, Lynn Woods (this country's second largest urban park) offers good hiking, birding, cross-country skiing, Lynn Heritage State Park Museum, and Pine Grove Cemetery founded in 1850. In Salem, stop by at the Peabody and Essex Museums, "House of Seven Gables" and Witch Museum. In Marblehead, the "Old Town" antique shops, galleries and boutiques. A three-mile walking and jogging path along the beach is just steps away. Restaurants are within walking distance. Boston is within reach by automobile, train or bus.
Other Points of Interest:
Lynn Woods
The Lynn Woods Reservation, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, has 2,200 acres of land available to the public for hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, etc. Noteworthy areas include Dungeon Rock, Breeds Pond and Walden Pond. Burrill Hill (elev. 285') and Mt. Gilead (elev. 272') offer panoramic views, south to the Blue Hills and north to New Hampshire. The three-acre Rose Garden is elegantly landscaped with rose bushes, perennials, and a variety of trees. Maps and information are available from the Lynn Parks Dept (617-598-4000) or the Friands of Lynn Woods (617-593-7773). Admission is free.
The Heritage State Park Visitors' Center
Located in a 19th century former warehouse, the Center has imaginative and engaging exhibits that use objects, photos, videos, and a c. 1800 shoemaker's shop. Open Sunday and Wednesday 10:00 - 4:30 (617-598-1974). Admission is free.
Lynn Heritage Waterfront Park
This waterfront walkway provides views of Boston and other nearby towns. It contains mosaic panels describing Lynn's history and is the site of numerous summer events. During the summer boat trips run to the Boston Harbor Islands. (617-598-1974).
Lynn Historical Society
The Lynn Historical Society occupies a house built in 1836. Four period rooms are filled with objects from 1770 - 1870. One wing contains permanent exhibits relating to three centuries of shoe manufacturing and other aspects of Lynn history. The library's resources are available for research. Admission is $2.00 for adults and $.50 for children (616-592-2465).
Mary Baker Eddy House
Located at 12 Broad Street, the home of Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Christian Science faith is open to the public. Admission is free. Hours (May - October) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Lynn Commons
Dating to 1630, the two sections of the Commons were shaped in the 19th century to approximate the proportions of a shoe. In the middle of the "sole" is a handsome late Victorian bandstand. Beyond the end of the heel stands a Soldier's Monument honoring those who died in the Civil War.
Gannon Municipal Golf Course
The golf course, at the Eastern Gate of Lynn Woods, is very well maintained and beautifully landscaped over rolling hills. The back nine holes are particularly challenging. The fifth and sixth holes offer a splendid view of Boston across Breeds Pond. (617-592-8238)
Lynn History
Early in the settlement of our Country, in 1629, colonists came the what would be the City of Lynn, Massachusetts. They came from the New England Company in Salem. Initially, they relied mostly on shell fishing and family farms for their existence. An iron works was built in 1643 and tanning became a major industry too. By 1775, there were many tanneries along the Black Marsh Brook, which was called Tanney Brook. After the extension of the MBTA from Boston to Salem in 1837, the area grew much more with both the shoe industry and a factory area being created in Lynn.
Rather than hurting the economy, the Civil War brought prosperity to Lynn and the shoe factories grew even more. Bad fires in both 1869 and 1889 destroyed much of the business district, but expansion continued despite the disasters. Rather than moan and groan over the fires, local businesses just built back bigger and better with some "high-rise" five and six story shoe factories going up in place of the smaller burned-out buildings.
Due to the success of business in the area, the city's residential areas developed greatly. Large homes were built on spacious grounds. Many summer estates were built along the shore by the mid 1800's. It began to be a Boston resort area. More and more residential development occurred in Lynn and when Lynn Shore Drive was opened in 1910, more and taller buildings were built to encourage the view of the shoreline.
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