Town of Arlington, Massachusetts

Town of Arlington, Massachusetts is a town located in Middlesex County, about 6 miles northwest of Boston, and is home to Harvard University alumni, including Alan Guth and Lisa Randall. The town is situated near the Charles River, which offers scenic views and opportunities for outdoor activities, such as those enjoyed by Kathryn Bigelow and Matt Damon. Arlington is also close to Cambridge, where institutions like MIT and Harvard University are located, and is a short drive from Walden Pond, made famous by Henry David Thoreau.

Geography

The town's geography is characterized by its location in the Boston metropolitan area, with nearby cities including Medford, Somerville, and Belmont. Arlington is bordered by the Mystic River to the east and the Alewife Brook to the west, and is situated near the Minuteman Trail, a popular route for hiking and biking, which passes through Lexington and Concord. The town's terrain is generally flat, with some hills and valleys, and is home to several parks, including Menotomy Rocks Park, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area, similar to those enjoyed by Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keeffe. Nearby attractions include the Boston Public Garden, Fenway Park, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, which features works by Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso.

History

Arlington has a rich history, dating back to the American Revolution, when it was a key location for Paul Revere and the Sons of Liberty. The town was originally part of Cambridge and was later incorporated as a separate town in 1807, with the help of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. During the American Civil War, Arlington was a major hub for the Union Army, with many soldiers passing through the town on their way to Gettysburg and other battles, including Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. The town is also home to the Arlington National Cemetery, which was established in 1864 and is the final resting place for many American heroes, including John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, who were both Harvard University graduates.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the town's population was approximately 46,000 people, with a diverse range of ages, ethnicities, and occupations, including Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg, who both attended Harvard University. The median household income is around $83,000, with many residents commuting to nearby Boston for work, where they may visit the Boston Marathon or attend a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Arlington is also home to a thriving arts community, with many galleries and studios, including the Arlington Center for the Arts, which features works by Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns. Nearby institutions, such as Tufts University and Lesley University, also attract students and faculty to the area, including Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn.

Government

The town is governed by a Town Meeting form of government, with a Board of Selectmen and a Town Manager, similar to the system used in Newton and Wellesley. The town has a strong sense of community, with many residents actively involved in local politics and volunteer work, including Ralph Nader and Barbara Ehrenreich. Arlington is also part of the Middlesex County government, which provides services such as law enforcement and public health, and is home to the Middlesex County Courthouse, where Sacco and Vanzetti were tried.

Education

Arlington has a highly rated public school system, with several elementary, middle, and high schools, including Arlington High School, which has produced notable alumni such as Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The town is also home to several private schools, including the Arlington Catholic High School and the Lesley Ellis School, which offer alternative educational options, similar to those found at Phillips Academy and Deerfield Academy. Nearby institutions, such as Harvard University and MIT, also provide opportunities for higher education and research, and are affiliated with Nobel laureates such as James Watson and Francis Crick.

Transportation

Arlington has a convenient location, with easy access to Interstate 93 and Massachusetts Route 2, which connect the town to Boston and other surrounding cities, including Cambridge and Somerville. The town is also served by the MBTA bus system, which provides public transportation to nearby cities, including Medford and Belmont. Additionally, Arlington has a number of bike paths and trails, including the Minuteman Trail, which provide opportunities for alternative transportation and outdoor recreation, similar to those found in Portland, Oregon and Boulder, Colorado. Nearby airports, such as Logan International Airport and Hanscom Field, also provide access to national and international travel, and are used by FAA officials, including Jane Garvey and Marion Blakey.