Living in Marblehead
Marblehead is a harbor town on a rocky peninsula in northern Massachusetts Bay, about 16 miles northeast of Boston and next to Salem and Swampscott. It was settled in 1629 and incorporated in 1649, and it is often called the birthplace of the American Navy. During the Revolution, local men served in General John Glover’s 14th Continental Regiment.
The town has a few distinct areas: the Old Town around the harbor, the town center, Clifton along the Swampscott line, and Marblehead Neck, a near-island joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. Abbot Hall displays the famous painting The Spirit of ’76. Sailing is a big part of local life, with six yacht clubs, including the Boston Yacht Club, founded in 1866.
Homes you will find
- Colonial-era and 1800s homes in the Old Town, much of it within the Marblehead Historic District
- Single-family homes on quieter streets in the town center and Clifton areas
- Homes on Marblehead Neck, many with harbor or ocean views
- A smaller number of condos and two-family homes
Homes inside the historic district can have rules about exterior changes, so it helps to check before you plan renovations.
Getting around
Marblehead has no train station. MBTA bus service starts in town, and the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line runs through neighboring Swampscott and Salem with trains to North Station. Route 114 heads west to Salem and Route 129 heads south to Swampscott and Lynn. There is no highway in town; Route 128 is reached through Peabody or Beverly. A seasonal ferry to Boston leaves from nearby Salem.
Parks, harbor and everyday life
Chandler Hovey Park sits at the tip of Marblehead Neck beside Marblehead Light. Fort Sewall guards the mouth of the harbor, and Crocker Park and Castle Rock offer more ocean views. Mass Audubon runs the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, and Devereux Beach is one of the town’s four beaches.
The Marblehead Rail Trail follows the old railroad beds in two spurs from Roundhouse Road: one goes about 1.5 miles to Salem and continues as the Salem bike path, and the other runs about 2 miles to Swampscott. The town also has the Marblehead Museum, the Jeremiah Lee Mansion and the King Hooper Mansion, home of the Marblehead Arts Association. Marblehead runs its own public school system, and families can contact Marblehead Public Schools directly.
Who Marblehead suits
Marblehead suits buyers who love historic homes, sailing and the ocean, and who are comfortable driving or taking the bus to reach the train. It also appeals to anyone who wants harbor walks, parks and a small downtown close to home.
Interested in Marblehead? Ask Suad about recent sales and what is available now, in English, Spanish (with Diana) or Bosnian.
