To the unknown eye, Waltham might be a sleepy little town. And while things might be a little slower than nearby juggernauts like Boston, Waltham was once one of the leaders during the American Industrial Revolution. Waltham is a perfect example of being more than meets that eye, and that’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to uncover some of the most interesting facts about this incredible city.
The Beginning
Waltham was first settled in 1634, and the area was initially called Watertown. Waltham was then incorporated into a town in 1738.
Image via sothebysrealty.com
A Rose By Any Other Name
The name “Waltham” means “city in the woods,” which is quite fitting for the amount of greenery and forestry surrounding the city. Waltham has over 1000 acres of parks and recreational land.
Look At The Time
Waltham is known as the “Watch City” as it was home to the Waltham Watch Company, the first city in the US to mass-produce watches. The Waltham Watch Company revolutionized the watch-making industry and played a critical role in the on-time performance of the US railways. During the company’s 100 tenure, it manufactured around 35 million watches.
Leaders In Innovation
Waltham is famously known for its role during the American Industrial Revolution. It was the home of Paul Moody, the developer of the cotton loom. The cotton loom played a significant role in revolutionizing the cotton industry. The Boston Manufacturing Company was initially based in Waltham. The company is responsible for revolutionizing the textile industry by developing the first integrated textile mill. Automobile manufacturer Metz also called Waltham home, and it is where they created the first motorcycle.
Down By The River
The Charles River snakes through the city of Waltham, opening it up to an array of fun and exciting watersport activities. The river has plenty of canoeing, kayaking, rowing, and sculling opportunities. Along the river, locals enjoy the many trails where they can go for a young stroll, run, or cycle. There are plenty of dams along the river, many of which were used to power the textile mills during the textile and manufacturing boom in the country.
The city is also in a great location. It’s near enough to Boston to explore some of the city’s finest attractions. lively city life while still being far enough out to enjoy some peace & quiet.