Established in 1713 by Puritans, Lexington entered the history books as the "Birthplace of American Liberty" one April morning in 1775, but the town's history did not begin or end with that event. Though primarily agrarian, early-nineteenth-century Lexington contained twelve taverns, a large fur industry, and other manufacturing businesses. The twentieth century brought a streetcar system with Lexington Park, replete with a zoo and a theater, at its terminus. With the construction of Route 128, Lexington's population rapidly increased and the farm era faded, changing the shape of the community. Through fascinating vintage images, Lexington traces the town's life as it transformed from a provincial farming village to an attractive suburb of Boston. Within these pages, you will visit Massachusetts House and Russell House, where wealthy Bostonians enjoyed summering in the town's "good air" after the Civil War; beautiful estates, including the Hayes Castle, that dotted the town's hills once the railroad to Boston became a reality for commuters; and the Lexington station, the last remaining depot train shed in Massachusetts, which stood at the foot of Meriam Hill.
Lexington Historical Society archivist Richard Kollen has taught at Lexington High School for ten years. Lexington began as a group project for three of his students enrolled in a course on Lexington's history. Kollen and the Class of 2001 members Joo-Hee Chung, Heather-Marie Knight, and Kendra Whiteside compiled this exciting history, using the resources of the historical society's collection and select private sources.