According to Allcitycodes, Bellingham, Massachusetts is a small town located in the southwest corner of Norfolk County. It is situated between the towns of Franklin and Wrentham, with Mendon to its west and Hopedale to its east. The town has a total area of 19.6 square miles, with 16.2 square miles of land and 3.4 square miles of water. It is bordered by the Charles River on the west and the Blackstone River on the east, making it a picturesque town with plenty of natural beauty to enjoy throughout all four seasons.
The topography of Bellingham is characterized by rolling hills, woodlands, meadows, wetlands, ponds and streams; making it an ideal spot for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing and horseback riding. The town has several conservation areas as well as two state parks – Cutler Park Reservation and Wrentham State Forest – providing plenty of opportunities for exploration and recreation.
Bellingham is also home to a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, coyote, foxes, beaver, red-tailed hawks and many more species native to the area; providing visitors with unique sightings that can only be found in this part of Massachusetts. Additionally, Bellingham has several lakes within its borders including Lake Massapoag which provides recreational opportunities such as swimming during the summer months or ice skating during winter months.
Overall, Bellingham is a pleasant town that offers something for everyone whether you’re looking for outdoor activities or just want to take in some beautiful scenery; this town can provide it all! With its rolling hills and woodlands as well as numerous ponds and streams there are plenty of opportunities for exploration throughout every season; making it an ideal spot for those looking to experience nature at its finest!
History of Bellingham, Massachusetts
Bellingham, Massachusetts was first settled in 1650 by the English settlers and was originally part of Dedham. The town was officially incorporated in 1719 and named after Bellingham in England. Early industry in Bellingham included farming and milling, as well as small-scale manufacturing such as the production of shoes, hats and other items.
In the 19th century, Bellingham became a popular summer vacation spot for wealthy Bostonians due to its natural beauty and proximity to the city. As a result, many grand estates were built during this time period which still remain today. In addition to these estates, there were several resorts located within the town’s borders including Lake Massapoag where visitors could enjoy swimming or boating during the summer months.
The 20th century saw a shift away from agriculture-based industries towards more light manufacturing and eventually high technology businesses. This allowed Bellingham to remain economically viable while preserving its rural character; something that it continues to do today by being mindful of those around it across Massachusetts and beyond.
Today Bellingham is considered a bedroom community with many of its residents commuting to nearby cities for work; however there is still plenty of historical sites throughout town for visitors to explore such as Cutler Park Reservation which was donated by industrialist George Cutler in 1903 or Wrentham State Forest which was established in 1914 as part of a larger forest conservation effort. Additionally, there are several historic homes scattered throughout town that provide insight into life during different periods throughout Bellingham’s history.
Economy of Bellingham, Massachusetts
Bellingham, Massachusetts is a small town located in Norfolk County, just southwest of Boston. The town’s economy has been mostly centered around agriculture and light manufacturing for much of its history; however in the last few decades it has shifted towards more high technology businesses.
Agriculture has been an important part of Bellingham’s economy since it was first settled by the English in 1650. The town was known for its dairy and poultry farms, as well as its fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. In addition to these crops, Bellingham also had several mills along the Charles River which allowed for the production of lumber and other goods.
Light manufacturing also played an important role in the town’s economy. This included the production of shoes, hats and other items, as well as some small-scale machine production. These industries provided employment for many local residents throughout much of the 19th century; however they began to decline with the advent of mass production during the early 20th century.
In recent years, Bellingham has seen a shift away from agriculture-based industries towards more high technology businesses such as software development and engineering services. This has allowed the town to remain economically viable while preserving its rural character; something that it continues to do today by being mindful of those around it across Massachusetts and beyond.
Today Bellingham is still home to several small businesses that provide services such as landscaping, home improvement and auto repair; however most residents commute to nearby cities such as Boston or Providence for work due to the lack of large employers within town limits. Additionally, there are several historic sites throughout Bellingham that are popular tourist attractions including Cutler Park Reservation which was donated by industrialist George Cutler in 1903 or Wrentham State Forest which was established in 1914 as part of a larger forest conservation effort.
Politics in Bellingham, Massachusetts
Bellingham, Massachusetts is a small town located in the southwest corner of the state. The town is known for its rural character, and has a population of approximately 16,000 people. Politically, Bellingham is a moderate-leaning community that leans slightly to the right.
Bellingham has traditionally been an independent-minded town with residents who are not easily swayed by political rhetoric or party affiliation. In recent years, Bellingham has become more politically active, with several civic organizations and interest groups being formed to discuss and debate local issues.
In terms of party politics, Bellingham leans slightly Republican. The most recent election saw Republican candidate Donald Trump win the majority of votes in Bellingham with 54% compared to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s 37%. This trend holds true for other offices as well; for example in 2018 Republican Governor Charlie Baker won 53% of the vote compared to Democrat Jay Gonzalez’s 40%.
On the local level, however, there is greater diversity within the political spectrum. The Town Council is largely made up of independents who focus on local issues rather than national ones. For example during the 2019 municipal elections only one candidate was affiliated with either major party; all other candidates ran as independents or members of third parties such as the Green-Rainbow Party or Libertarian Party.
Overall, Bellingham is an open-minded community that values independent thought and discourse over partisan bickering. Residents are engaged in their local politics and embrace a variety of viewpoints when it comes to discussing important issues facing their community such as education reform or public safety measures. With its moderate leanings and vibrant civic engagement, Bellingham remains an important part of Massachusetts’ political landscape.