North Andover dates to 1644, and 14% of its homes were built before 1940
More historic than 90% of U.S. towns · #146 of 283 in Massachusetts. What drives it
14 places in town are on the National Register, among them four historic districts with 252 buildings between them. Below: 1 old photo or paper, maps from 1886 on, and the census since 1860.
Founding year: Wikidata. First post office: 1827.The full story ↓
History grade
What drives North Andover’s History grade
On its age, its old homes and the National Register, North Andover is more historic than 90% of U.S. towns, #146 of 283 in Massachusetts. All 3 inputs are above most U.S. towns; its age ranks highest and its share of homes from before 1940 lowest.
A
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of North Andover’s overall grade.
Massachusetts towns list more on the Register than most of the country (a typical Massachusetts town has 46.0 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so North Andover’s 84.5 sits near the middle of its state (60% of Massachusetts towns have fewer) while its 266 historic buildings outnumber those of 95% of U.S. towns.
NoteThe founding year comes from Wikidata alone; no second source gives 1644.
How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from A− to A+. The pre-1940 share (±2.5 points) is firm at this size.
Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →
What stands out about North Andover’s past
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
Native Americans inhabited what is now northeastern Massachusetts for thousands of years prior to European colonization of the Americas. At the time of European arrival, Massachusett and Naumkeag people inhabited the area south of the Merrimack River and Pennacooks inhabited the area to the north. The Massachusett referred to the area that would later become North Andover as Cochichawick.
Passages that mention North Andover, cut from the printed page as they were published.
Historical sketches of Andover (comprising the present towns of North Andover and Andover), Massachusetts1880 · page 552Read the page →
Read the text
- The establishment of Franklin Academy in 1799-1800 made provisions for the education of girls. In respect to this educational movement the town of North Andover may claim distinction, for this Academy was the first incorporated institution in Massachusetts to which young ladies were admitted, and it also made provision for them at the outset.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Historical sketches of Andover (comprising the present towns of North Andover and Andover), Massachusetts1880 · page 524Read the page →
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In 1879 town of Andover had one grammar school and twelve district schools, four of which were graded, making twenty-one schools. Connected with these were thirty teachers. In 1879 town of North Andover had six district schools, two of which were graded, making in all thirteen schools, including the grammar schools. In these were fourteen teachers.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
History of Essex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men1888 · page 865Read the page →
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Lawrexce Bridge. — In 1854, for the purpose ol better accommodating North Andover and Lawrence, and also for avoiding the railroad crossing, at grade, near the Andover Bridge, a charter was granted for another bridge, at the east end of the cit\-, to George D. Cabot and others. This bridge was built in 1854- 55, and remained a toll-bridge till 1868, when this also, with the other bridges across the Merrimac,
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.
By decade
North Andover, decade by decade
One decade in the archive so far: the 1950s. Scroll each row; tap a photo for its story.
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of North Andover. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.
1886Lawrence sheet · 1:62,500
U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of North Andover.
Every building
North Andover, building by building, 1903–1919
Fire insurance maps drew every building, what it was made of and what it was used for, so insurers could price the risk of fire. Pick a year, then a sheet.
In 1644, according to Wikidata. North Andover’s post office opened in 1827, and the census of 1860 counted 2,343 people here.
How does North Andover rank for history?
North Andover is more historic than 90% of U.S. towns, #146 of 283 in Massachusetts. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
What is on the National Register in North Andover?
14 listings: 9 buildings, among them the Samuel Osgood House (listed 1974, the first), 4 historic districts with 252 contributing buildings, and 1 site. 266 historic buildings in all.
How old are the homes in North Andover?
14% of North Andover’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±2.5 points), against a typical 21% for a Massachusetts town; the median home was built in 1979.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
From Wikimedia Commons (8), Wikidata (4), the National Register of Historic Places (14), Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System, Sanborn fire insurance maps (Library of Congress) and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
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