Lynn: Progress in the 20th Century

The city of Lynn can be located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Geographically, the city sits within the borders of the Essex County, specifically on the county’s southern part. It lies along the banks of the Massachusetts Bay and the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. The city is northeast of the city of Boston, southwest of Salem and west of Cape Ann. Some of its borders include Peabody (north), Revere (southeast), Lynnfield (northwest), Swampscott (east) and Saugus (west). The shoreline of the city is divided into two by Nahant, a town which is situated in between the Nahant Bay and Lynn Harbor. As reported by the Census Bureau, the city has a land area of 10.8 square miles, while the remaining 2.7 square miles are water. As of 2010, the United States Census Bureau reported that the city of Lynn has a total population of 90, 329.

In the 20th century, the city’s population had reached its peak. In 1930, it is over 102, 000; however, it decreased due to a number of factors. It was also noted that the city’s median household income is below the average in the state of Massachusetts. The city was also devastated by a couple of large fires, which had destroyed the downtown, including major employers such as shoe factories. Another thing that earned the city’s bad reputation is the high crime rate, which even inspired a song during the start of industrialization in the city.

Despite such misfortunes, progress can be observed in Lynn in the 20th century. The city is home to the General Electric Aviation, which is a major employer that provides thousands of jobs to the citizens. There are also the C.L. Hauthaway & Sons, Old Neighborhood Foods, Lynn Manufacturing, West Lynn Creamery, Durkee- Mower and Sterling Machine Co. among others. These major employers had brought the city in the state map, and helped stabilize the economy in the 20th century.

In order to counter its bad reputation, the city government of Lynn also had a campaign which celebrates the number of firsts in the city. They tried to justify the city’s new nickname, “City of Firsts” by boasting the milestones since the year of 1643. The city had been blessed to witness the first iron works, the first fire engine, the first American jet engine, the first electric trolley, first dance academy in the U.S., the first tannery in the U.S., the first roast beef sandwich and the first woman in mass- marketing and advertising, Lydia Pinkham.