Newton

What is now the City of Newton was first settled in 1630 as part of “the newe towne”, renamed Cambridge in 1638. Newton was incorporated as a separate town, known as Cambridge Village, in 1681. It was renamed Newtown in 1691, and finally Newton in 1766. It become a city in 1874.

As with most early New England villages, Newton harnessed the water power of it’s most potent natural resource, The Charles River. Early on, a series of mills were established in the town’s Upper and Lower Falls villages producing everything from snuff and glue to chocolate and paper products. But the Charles River was not sufficient to carry Newton’s manufacturing much beyond the eaerly 19th century. By the mid-1800’s it was the new railroad lines that transformed Newton from manufacturing to a leafy streetcar suburb. First came the Worcester and Boston Railroad in 1834 followed by electric streetcars and finally, in the 1920’s, the automobile. Even today Newton’s prime location makes it a much sought-after location for residents commuting into Boston or out to the western suburbs. Newton is well-served by the MBTA’s Green Line and commuter rail systems, the Massachuetts Turnpike, and Route 128, often called ‘America’s Technology Highway’.

Prized for it’s public school system which is often ranked among the best in the country, Newton has also been named one of America’s safest cities several years running. With no central downtown, Newton is comprised of 13 distinct villages each with its own unique character and commercial center. With over 650 acres of well-maintained parkland, Newton earned its moniker as the Garden City.

Newton has a rich and varied housing stock. Impressive Chestnut Hill Georgian estates, highly detailed Victorians on West Newton Hill, mid-century gems in Waban, and more recent apartment and condominiums developments are scattered throughout the city providing a fine selection of homes to choose from.