Winchester is the primary example of a quintessential New England village, located just 8 miles north of Boston. The close proximity to Boston makes it a convenient community for commuters with two commuter rails that go to downtown Boston. Winchester is one of the wealthiest municipalities in Massachusetts. Surrounding towns include Woburn, Stoneham, Reading, Medford, Lexington, Arlington, and Bedford.
Winchester was first settled in 1683, colonized by the Puritan citizens of Charlestown. The first house in Winchester was built along the Aberjona River in 1640. For the next 100 years, there were many land changes, but Winchester ended with land taken from Woburn, Medford, and West Cambridge (now Arlington). By 1798, the population of Winchester was about 200 people. The Black Horse Tavern, which was demolished in 1892, served as an important meeting place for soldiers during the American Revolutionary War.
The character of Winchester was changed when the Middlesex Canal opened in 1803 and the Lowell Railroad supplanted it in 1835. The farming village now had easy access to Boston, strengthening the ties to the city. In 1835, the Boston and Maine railroad also opened.
In 1850, the Town of Winchester was officially incorporated. The community grew steadily throughout the nineteenth century. Moving into the twentieth century, Winchester started developing more into a bedroom community when former farm lands were bought for housing developments. Following World War II, agriculture started to decline and farms were converted into house lots.
Winchester is surrounded by premium shopping, dining, cultural opportunities, and outdoor recreation. The downtown are offers a unique shopping experience with boutiques, local bookstore, toy store, or vintage furnishings. The restaurants are locally owned and operated with a range of traditional pubs, award winning Italian food, cafes, bakeries, and more. There are many options for dining out all day long.
Outdoor recreation activities are a hot spot in Winchester whether it be golfing, swimming, or biking among others. The town offers endless ways to be active and enjoy the outdoors. The Middlesex Fells Reservation has more than 100 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and more. Several bodies of water, including Shannon Beach, Winter Pond, and Mystic Lakes State Park, give residents opportunities to swim, canoe, kayak, or other types of boating. There is also a golf club located in the community. Overall, there is something to do for all ages.
Today, Winchester is a primarily residential community. The town offers a wide range of real estate. There is somewhere for everyone to call home whether it be modern apartments, comfortable condos, high-end or historic homes. The amenities in Winchester make it a great place to live.
$1,675,508
$1,092,000
$860,902
Grades K-5
394 students
Grades K-5
376 students
Grades PK-5
440 students
Grades K-5
431 students
Grades PK-5
535 students
Grades 6-8
1,104 students
Grades 9-12
1,359 students
College Success Award - Gold