Ipswich, a scenic jewel of a town on the North Shore of Massachusetts was first founded in 1633. Just 28 miles north of Boston, this town on the ocean at Ipswich Bay provides a stark contrast to urban chaos. Covering 33 square miles, the town has a stunning landscape of marshes, dunes and beaches, uplands, forests, fields, and...
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Ipswich, a scenic jewel of a town on the North Shore of Massachusetts was first founded in 1633. Just 28 miles north of Boston, this town on the ocean at Ipswich Bay provides a stark contrast to urban chaos. Covering 33 square miles, the town has a stunning landscape of marshes, dunes and beaches, uplands, forests, fields, and farmland. Ipswich has preserved its early 17th century homes with more than forty houses built before 1725 still standing and occupied. It has a very distinct in-town residential and commercial district and several industrial sections.
The town is comprised of seven hills, and through it, meanders the Ipswich River. The river begins 45 miles to the west and flows fresh through the center of town, where it becomes tidal and salty, as it finally joins the Atlantic Ocean. The town contains a variety of industries and businesses. Ipswich is also well known for its shellfish, the famous "Ipswich Clams", and nearby are several shellfish processing plants.
In addition to its varied business activity, the town has several large farms, such as Russell's Orchard that sells produce locally, and offers apple picking excursions. The center of town has an abundance of shops, cafes and restaurants, some operating out of Ipswich's oldest historic buildings, such as the stone-faced Choate Bridge Inn Restaurant. Another exquisite example of the town's historic places is the Whipple House, built in the 17th century and preserved by the Ipswich Historical Society. Archaeological findings point to the fact that the English were not the first to settle the area.
One of the most important discoveries about Indian history was made in 1951 at Bull Brook. Carbon dating proved that artifacts found at this site belonged to inhabitants of the Paleo-Indian Period, about 9000 years ago. Other collections discovered at Great Neck and along the river banks have been dated to the later Archaic Period (8000-5000 years before present) and the Woodland Period (2000 years before present).
Today, Ipswich is a town committed to preserving its past, maintaining the wonders of its natural landscape and providing its residents with efficient municipal services. Ipswich, is one of the few communities in Massachusetts with its own diesel operated lighting plant which helps to reduce power rates.
Additionally, Ipswich has its own public school system with two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. One of greatest assets in Ipswich is Crane's Beach and Wildlife Refuge. 1200 acres of beach, dunes and maritime forest are preserved and open to the public year-round. The property attracts visitors from all over the area who have come to love the beauty of this delicate ecology adjacent to one of the most spectacular beaches in Massachusetts.
In August 2008, the average home sales price for a single family home or condo in Ipswich, MA was $367,250. While this data is collected from the MLS and deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed.
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