Welcome to North Reading

North Reading is a town at the northeastern edge of Middlesex County, north of Boston, with the Ipswich River running through the middle of town. It pairs a historic town common and well-preserved houses from the early 1700s with Martin's Pond, Ipswich River Park, part of Harold Parker State Forest, and quick access to Route 28 and I-93.

About North Reading

North Reading began as part of Reading. In 1651 Reading received an added grant north of the Ipswich River, which became the core of today's town, and a handful of farm families had settled here by the 1680s. The area became the North, or Second, Parish of Reading in 1713, its first meetinghouse went up on the common in the 1710s, and the Reverend Daniel Putnam, the first minister, built his house in 1720. North Reading was incorporated as a separate town in 1853.

The Andover Turnpike, now Main Street and Route 28, opened around 1806 and drew shops to West Village, and the Salem and Lowell railroad came through in 1850. For much of the 1800s North Reading was a farm town where shoemaking was done in small shops attached to houses, and after the Civil War farming, especially dairy, took over. North Reading borders Andover and North Andover to the north, Middleton to the east, Lynnfield to the southeast, Reading to the south, and Wilmington to the west.

Getting Around

North Reading has no commuter rail station or MBTA bus service. Reading station on the Haverhill Line and North Wilmington station are the closest commuter rail stops, with direct trains to North Station in Boston. Route 28 runs north and south through the west side of town as Main Street, toward Reading and Boston in one direction and Andover in the other. Route 62 crosses town east to west and reaches I-93 at Exit 34 in Wilmington, and Route 28 south leads to I-95 in Reading.

North Reading Real Estate

North Reading real estate ranges from houses built in the early 1700s to suburban neighborhoods from the second half of the 1900s. Early center-chimney Colonials and a few Georgian homes survive, along with Federal houses, Greek Revival cottages from the mid-1800s, and many small detached shoe shops from the town's shoemaking days. In the early 1900s shingled Colonial Revival cottages and Craftsman bungalows went up around Martin's Pond, first as summer homes and later year-round.

Two houses are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the 1720 Rev. Daniel Putnam House on Bow Street and the John Bickford House on Elm Street. The Federal-era houses along Chestnut and Haverhill streets are a well-preserved group of period homes. Areas include the town center around the common, West Village along Route 28, the Chestnut Street and Haverhill Street area, Martin's Pond, and Harmony Vale.

Living in North Reading

Ipswich River Park on Central Street covers about 49 acres along the river, with ball fields, a playground, a skate park, a pavilion, walking trails, and a canoe launch. Clarke Park on Burroughs Road sits on the south shore of Martin's Pond with a small beach and picnic area, and part of Harold Parker State Forest, with its ponds and trails for hiking, biking, and riding, lies in town.

The Flint Memorial Library at 147 Park Street is housed in Flint Memorial Hall, built in the 1870s on land given by Harriet Flint, and the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society keeps its headquarters at the Putnam House, along with a barn and a reconstructed 1840s schoolhouse. Town Day, a Turkey Trot, and other community events are held in the town's parks.

Questions About North Reading

What kinds of homes are in North Reading?

North Reading has early 1700s Colonials, Federal homes along Chestnut and Haverhill streets, mid-1800s Greek Revival cottages, early 1900s bungalows and cottages around Martin's Pond, and many suburban homes built after 1940.

How do you get to Boston from North Reading?

North Reading has no train station, but Reading and North Wilmington stations are a short drive away, with direct trains to North Station. By car, Route 62 leads to I-93 in Wilmington, and Route 28 heads south to I-95 in Reading.

What is Ipswich River Park?

Ipswich River Park is a town-owned park of about 49 acres on Central Street along the Ipswich River, with sports fields, a playground, a skate park, walking trails, and a canoe launch.

To see homes for sale in North Reading, browse the listings below. Thinking of buying or selling in North Reading? Call (617) 848-9616 or get a free home valuation. North Reading is part of our North of Boston guide.

Photos: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.