Bedford, Massachusetts
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| Bedford, Massachusetts | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex County |
| Settled | 1640 |
| Incorporated | 1729 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Open town meeting |
| - Town Administrator | Richard Reed |
| Area | |
| - Town | 13.9 sq mi (35.9 km²) |
| - Land | 13.7 sq mi (35.6 km²) |
| - Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Elevation | 135 ft (41 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Town | 12,595 |
| - Density | 916.7/sq mi (353.9/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 01730 |
| Area code(s) | 339 / 781 |
| Website: http://www.town.bedford.ma.us/ | |
Bedford is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. It is within the Greater Boston area, some 15 miles north-west of the city of Boston. The population of Bedford was 12,595 at the 2000 census.
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[edit] History
Bedford was first settled in 1640 and was officially incorporated in 1729.
Bedford's flag (still on display at the Bedford Public Library) is the oldest complete flag known to exist in the United States. It is celebrated for having been the first U.S. flag flown during the Revolutionary War, as it is believed to have been carried by Nathaniel Page's outfit of Minutemen to the Old North Bridge in Concord for the Battle of Concord on April 19, 1775.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.9 km² (13.9 mi²). 35.6 km² (13.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.94%) is water. Bedford is approximately 15 miles away from the coast.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 12,595 people, 4,621 households, and 3,419 families residing in the town. The population density was 353.9/km² (916.7/mi²). There were 4,708 housing units at an average density of 132.3/km² (342.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.19% White, 1.65% African American, 0.22% Native American, 5.40% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population.
There were 4,621 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.
The median income for a family was $101,081, similar to its surrounding towns. Males had a median income of $65,697 versus $45,181 for females. The per capita income for the town was $39,212. About 1.4% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
The town still uses an open town meeting as its legislature. The executive branch consists of a Board of Selectmen who oversee a town Administrator.
Bedford is the home of a Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP). It is part of an initiative by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide mail order prescriptions to veterans using computerization at strategic locations throughout the United States.
[edit] Education
Bedford's school system consists of four buildings: Lt. Eleazer Davis Elementary (K-2), Lt. Job Lane Elementary (3-5), John Glenn Middle School (6-8), and Bedford High School (9-12). Some students from Hanscom Air Force Base, which is partially located in Bedford, join Bedford residents at Bedford High for 9th grade and beyond. The former Center School was deactivated in the 1980s. Center School is today the Town Center building. Page School was similarly deactivated in the 1980s and today is a retirement village. John Glenn Middle School (originally called Bedford Junior High School) is named for the late John Glenn, formerly the Superintendent of Schools in Bedford; not for the U.S. Senator and astronaut. The Davis and Lane (and former Page) schools are named for local officers who took part in the Battle of Concord on April 19, 1775.
The high school mascot is the Buccaneer and the team colors are blue and white. Bedford's school sports teams compete in the Dual County League. In 2005-06, the boys' basketball team won the DCL behind the strong play of DCL MVP Gerry Cohen. In 2006-07, the Bucs made the MIAA Division III North Sectional Final, but lost to eventual state champion Watertown, 63-58.See also: www.bedford.k12.ma.us
[edit] Transportation
Bedford is located slightly northwest of the intersection of I-95 (also known as MA-128) and MA-4/MA-225 (which actually cross in Lexington). Nearby highways include US-3 and MA-62. It is serviced by the 62 and 62/76 lines of the MBTA's bus service. Bedford is also served by Hanscom Field (IATA: BED, ICAO: KBED), a civilian airport, which is located adjacent to Hanscom Air Force Base.
A snowstorm on January 10, 1977, prompted the end of passenger service on the Lexington Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad (see additional notes under Boston and Lowell Railroad). The line was embargoed four years later. In 1991, the branch was railbanked by the Interstate Commerce Commission. It is now used for the Minuteman Bikeway. In the early 1900s, the Middlesex & Boston Street Railway line ran generally down Great Road, with lines from as far west as Hudson running into Lexington and beyond.
[edit] Notable People
Joseph M. Ahern philanthropist, humanitarian, founder of the rock band Clowns with Spatulas, also coined the phrase "You're a stupid idiot"
Joshua Wallace Citizen of Somerville, yet somehow established as Bedford's town drunk and village idiot
Michael "Chip" Ahern known hermit, town grump
[edit] External links
- Town of Bedford official web site
- Bedford Minuteman Company
- Bedford Historical Society
- Bedford Depot Park
- Bedford Fire Department
- Bedford Flag history on the town's site and information on seeing the flag at the Bedford Free Public Library
- Hanscom Air Force Base official web site
- Three Apples Storytelling Festival Annual storytelling festival in the fall
