Settlement in the area that now includes Belmont began in 1630, when Sir Richard Saltonstall and approximately 40 families separated from the first settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and moved inland to start an agricultural community. Originally called Pequosette after the local Indian tribe, the name of the new town soon changed to Watertown. In 1638, by order of the General Court, Watertown paid the Pequosette Indians the sum of 13 pounds, 7 shillings and 6 pence for the land.
The original settlement spread inland extensively into the present towns of Watertown, Waltham, Weston, Lincoln, and parts of Cambridge and Belmont. In 1738, Waltham seceded from Watertown, and the future Belmont was now part of three towns.
In 1805, Frederick Tudor began cutting ice on Fresh Pond. As his business grew, he decided to build a railroad from his wharves in Charlestown to Fresh Pond. This line was built about 1843.
With the railroad so near, the citizens of Waltham clamored to have it extended to their village which was granted and the line ran through what was to become the Town of Belmont. The railroad made the purely agricultural community available for residences of well-to-do Bostonians. Settlements centered around Wellington Station (now Belmont Center), Waverley Station, and Hill's crossing station.
Those settlements grew into villages, but local government arrangements were annoying because citizens had to go to Watertown, Waltham, or West Cambridge (now Arlington) to vote and attend town meetings. A group of about 1,000 people joined together in the early 1850's and announced their desire to form a separate town. One of the most enthusiastic advocates was John Perkins Cushing, the largest taxpayer of the proposed town, who gave generously and openly to the incorporation expense on the condition that it be named after his 200 acre estate "Bellmont."
The towns of Watertown, Waltham, and West Cambridge fought the proposed creation of a new town, but in the end the battle was won and on March 18, 1859 the Town of Belmont was born. Of the then total area of 5 square miles, 2.26 were taken from Watertown, 0.67 from Waltham, and 2.82 from West Cambridge. The population was 1,175 of whom 170 were registered voters and 325 were school children. The new town was a widespread collection of fruit farms and market gardens. Produce from Belmont farms was sold at Faneuil Hall market. Specialties included celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, berries, and small fruits. In fact, "Belmont" became a term of distinction indicating quality and large size.
The original town included a part of present day Cambridge including half of Fresh Pond. Because of a controversy over a slaughter house erected in Belmont on the banks of the pond which was the drinking water supply for Cambridge, 0.89 square mile of Belmont was annexed in 1880 to that city.
This left Belmont with a total area of 4.676 square miles. Minor adjustments due to various Route 2 widenings makes the total area 4.655 square miles today.
In the 1900's, the large number of artists, authors, educators, physicians, and scientists moving to the town doubled its population. As a result, the farming community disappeared. Belmont today, with a population of 25,349, is almost entirely residential and is known as "The Town of Homes."

 Belmont, Massachusetts

Total Area: 4.71 sq. miles
Land Area: 4.66 sq. miles
Population: 24, 720
Density: 5,305 per sq. mile

Form of Government:  Board of Selectman, Executive Secretary,
Representative Town Meeting
Year Incorporated as a town: 1859

Transportation & Access:  Belmont is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air and highway facilities.  State Route 128 and Interstate Route 495 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous *spokes* providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.

Major Highways:  Principal highways are state routes 2 & 60.

Rail:  Commuter rail service is available to North Station, Boston, from Waverly (travel time 17 minutes; no MBTA parking) and Belmont Center (travel time 15 minutes; no MBTA parking). The Springfield Terminal Railway provides freight rail service in Belmont.

Bus:  Belmont is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which provides THE RIDE, a paratransit service for the elderly and disabled.

HEALTH FACILITIES:
Hospitals:  Mclean Hospital
Long term care:  Belmont Manor Nursing Home

Belmont High School
Michael Harvey
Belmont (617)993-5901
Chenery Middle
Deborah J. Alexander
(617) 484-3900
Burbank
Christine Francis
(617) 993-5500
Butler
Bruce MacDonald
(617) 993-5550
Wellington
Amy Wagner
(617) 993-5600
Winn Brook
Janet Carey
(617) 993-5700
Office of Superintendent of Schools
Peter Holland
(617) 993-5401
Per Pupil Expenditures: $10, 859
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15 to 1
Watertown, Massachusetts was founded in 1603 and was one of Americas largest settlements in that time. Watertown quickly became an important center for trade, commerce and industry.
Over the years, Watertown has played an important role in Massachusetts history and once served as the temporary seat of government during the Revolutionary War. Paul Revere, who once resided in Watertown actually printed the first money for the Province of Massachusetts here. Canvas sails for the U.S.S. Constitution were woven here at the old Bemis Mills and the renowned Stanley Steamers and the black Crawford stoves were manufactured in Watertown. Just outside of Watertown Square on Mt. Auburn Street, the first store in the famous Star Market store chain was opened.
Currently Watertown is rich in ethnic diversity, boasts a high level of citizen involvement, and houses many amenities including shopping malls, swimming pools, country and tennis clubs, skating rinks, and many fine parks.
Watertown is strategically located just 6 miles northwest of Boston and has easy access to all major highways in eastern Massachusetts and an extensive public transportation system that includes rail and bus lines which provide access to the Logan International Airport and the world!!

Watertown, Massachusetts

Total Area: 4.16 sq. miles
Land Area: 4.11 sq. miles
Population: 33,284
Density: 8,098 per sq. mile

Form of Government: Town Council, Town Manager
Year Incorporated as a town: 1630

Transportation and Access:
Watertown is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air and highway facilities.  State route 128 and Interstate Route 495 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous *spokes* providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.

Major Highways:  Principal highways are state routes 20 & 16.

Rail:  Commuter rail service is available to North Station, Boston, from Waverly (travel time 17 minutes; no MBTA parking) and Belmont Center (travel time 15 minutes; no MBTA parking). The Springfield Terminal Railway provides freight rail service in Belmont.

Bus:  Belmont is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which provides THE RIDE, a paratransit service for the elderly and disabled.

Other:  Logan International Airport is easily accessible from Watertown.

Museums: Armenian Library and Museums of America, Museum of the History of Blindness (Perkins School for the Blind).

Long Term Care: Charlesgate Manor Convalescent Home, Emerson Convalescent Home



Cuniff Elementary
246 Warren St. Watertown, MA
617 926-7726, (Fax) 617 924-0420
Hotline Telephone 617-924-4149*
Hosmer Elementary
1 Concord Rd. Watertown, MA
617 926-7740, (Fax): 617 926-3259
Safe Arrival Hotline - (617) 926-7747*
Lowell Elementary
175 Orchard St. Watertown, MA
617 926-7770, (Fax): 617 926-2676*
Watertown Middle School
68 Waverley Avenue Watertown, MA
617 926-7783 (Fax): 617 926-5407*
Watertown High School
50 Columbia St. Watertown, MA
617 926-7760, (Fax): 617 926-7723*

Office of Superintendent of Schools
30 Common St. Watertown MA 02472
617 926-7700, (Fax): 617 923-1234*
Per pupil expenditure:  $18,961
Student/Teacher Ratio: 11 to 1