Merrimac began as a corn farming settlement in the 1650's and eventually developed maritime trade based on salmon and sturgeon fishing and on shipbuilding. The community was also a distribution point of products from the West Indies including sugar and molasses. By the 19th century, manufacturing was based on carriage building and...
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Merrimac began as a corn farming settlement in the 1650's and eventually developed maritime trade based on salmon and sturgeon fishing and on shipbuilding. The community was also a distribution point of products from the West Indies including sugar and molasses. By the 19th century, manufacturing was based on carriage building and there were no fewer than thirty-one carriage factories in Merrimac. Until after World War II, Merrimac was principally a residential community; the vast majority of people worked outside Merrimac. This is true even today.
The town's proximity to Route 110 and Interstate 495, gives Merrimac's 6100 residents easy access to other communities and to New Hampshire which borders Merrimac on the northwest. Other towns and cities surrounding Merrimac include: Haverhill on the southwest, Amesbury to the east and West Newbury on the south. Merrimac is also 37 miles north of Boston.
Though Merrimac is a town, small in population and land size, covering approximately 8 square miles, there are a variety of town features and services. The town has a public library, cultural council, police and fire departments. Middle school and high school students in Merrimac attend one of the Pentucket Regional schools, however younger children are served by two elementary schools located within the town.
Additionally, there are community music and soccer organizations and churches representing a variety of denominations in Merrimac. Merrimac's downtown area is comprised of an ornate brick town hall surrounded by a small business district of nearby shops and eateries.
Much of the town's residents live close to the center, but there are outlying areas of newer homes. Home styles in this historic community are traditional colonials with many old examples that retain the charming interior and exterior features.
In August 2008, the average home sales price for a single family home or condo in Merrimac, MA was $510,500. While this data is collected from the MLS and deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed.
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