Massachusetts is made up of 14 counties with 351 cities and towns. Some kept their local, indigenous names; others were given the names of places from settlers’ home nations; still others were named or renamed for early United States presidents and leading revolutionary figures.
Washington and Mount Washington
George Washington has two towns named after him in Massachusetts, both in Berkshire County. George Washington was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and the first Present of the United States. The town of Washington was known by several different names before settling on its final name in 1777. Mount Washington was incorporated in 1779. The Appalachian Trail runs through both Washington and Mount Washington, which is also home to the iconic Bish Bash Falls.
Monroe
The town of Monroe was named for President James Monroe who was in office when the town was incorporated in 1822. Located in Franklin County and bordering Vermont, Monroe occupies just 10.8 square miles. Most of the land is occupied by the Monroe State Forest and the Deerfield River, perfect for hiking, fishing, swimming, canoeing and whitewater rafting.
Quincy
The city of Quincy in Norfolk County shares a name with President John Quincy Adams. Both the president and the town were named after his maternal Great-Grandfather Colonel John Quincy. The Quincys were a prominent local family with many ties to the Revolution, including Abigail Adams and her cousin Dorothy Quincy Hancock, the wife of John Hancock. Visitors interested in the history of the Quincy and Adams families can tour the Dorothy Quincy Homestead and Adams National Historical Park.
Adams and North Adams
While the towns of Adams and North Adams share a name with two presidents, they were actually named for Samuel Adams, John Adams’ cousin and a leading revolutionary figure in Boston. Adams was one of the Massachusetts representatives to the Continental Congresses, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and served as a state senator and Massachusetts governor. Both Adams and North Adams were once the town of East Hoosac and were incorporated in the same year (1778). Located in Berkshire County, visitors enjoy splendid views from Mount Greylock, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, and many other attractions.
Hancock
Originally called the Plantation of Jericho, Hancock was officially incorporated in 1776 and renamed for leading revolutionary figure John Hancock. A wealthy merchant and smuggler, Hancock was involved in protests over British taxation of imported goods. He would go on to serve as the president of the Continental Congress, where he was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. Hancock also served as governor of Massachusetts. This Berkshire town is home to Hancock Shaker Village, a living history museum preserving the history of the Shaker movement.
Otis
The town of Otis, located in Berkshire County, was incorporated in 1810. It was named after Harrison Gray Otis, an influential lawyer and politician who was serving as president of the Massachusetts Senate when the town was named. Historic New England’s Otis House Museum in Boston is the last surviving mansion in Bowdin Square designed by Chrles Bulfinch. Visitors to the Town of Otis enjoy boating, camping, hiking, and more at the Otis Reservoir in Tolland State Forrest in the warmer months, and skiing at the Otis Ridge Ski Area in the winter.
Franklin
Franklin, in Norfolk County, was the first of many towns and counties across America to be named for the revolutionary statesman Benjamin Franklin in 1778. While he is known for having represented Pennsylvania at the Continental Congress, Franklin was born on Milk Street in Boston. Franklin donated books to the town to thank them for the honor, which led to what is widely acknowledged to be the first public library in the United States. The original collection is still housed at the current library building, a Greek revival design built in 1904.
Did you know? Franklin County was also named for Benjamin Franklin in 1811.
These are just a few of the towns named for revolutionary figures in Massachusetts. Others include Sterling, Princeton, Gardner, Holland, Lee, Montgomery, Cummington, Heath, Shelburne, Gill, and Hawley. We hope you will check out one or more of these revolutionary towns as you get out and explore Massachusetts.
Sources:
Town of Adams: Adams Historical Timeline
Town of Otis: Berkshire County, Massachusetts — Otis
Town of Franklin: Exhibits | Timeline of Franklin History
