Situated just minutes from Boston, the town of Waltham, Mass. offers a small-town life with convenient proximity to a major cosmopolitan city. The nearly 60,000 residents, according to the 2000 Census, must agree. Waltham is a mlange of major industry, residential areas and, of course, Brandeis University. Beginning in 1948, Brandeis became a major force in the shaping of the town, and has "added immeasurably to the recognition of Waltham throughout the nation," according to current Waltham Mayor, David F. Gately. Still, few Brandeis students are aware of the history of Waltham, right beyond the University's gates.

The Town's beginnings



Waltham has long-reaching roots. According to a history of Waltham published by the Historical Committee on the 250th Anniversary of the town, Governor John Winthrop first explored it in 1631, but it was not officially incorporated as a town until Jan. 15, 1738. Gately said he believes this incorporation is the most important historical event in Waltham history. "When (Waltham) as a community separated from the community of Watertown, we embraced our independence," he said.

The name Waltham, which comes from a Saxon word meaning "forest home," is thought to have been derived from a parish in England of the same name. The 550 residents at the time of Waltham's incorporation as a town often met in a meetinghouse, built in 1776. A bell made by Paul Revere was placed in its steeple in 1815.

Waltham, as a town, took an active part in the American War of Independence and the United States' beginnings. Almost 300 Waltham men occupied the battlefields during the War. In 1776, Waltham voted to approve the Declaration of Independence, and in 1778 voted to support the Articles of Confederation. It is recorded that the first president of the United States, George Washington, came to Waltham at least twice -- first to visit his friend, Comet Nathaniel Bridge, and then en route to Cambridge.



Early industries



By 1790, according to the first census taken by the U.S. Government, Waltham's population had risen to 882. As a result of the steady population growth, Waltham became a prime location for industry, which had a powerful effect on the town.

John Boise constructed a paper mill and the first dam across the Charles River in 1788. Shortly after, many rival paper mills sprung up across the town.

In 1812, Waltham became a prototype for the industrial revolution. It's first major factory, the Waltham Cotton and Wool Company was built. Around that time, Francis Cabot Lowell, a Boston merchant, returned from England, where he had been studying British textile mills. Using Waltham's abundant supply of water-power, he built a factory to produce cloth in a power loom. His company, the Boston Manufacturing Company (BMC), was situated on the land of the former Boise Paper Mill. Paul Moody was responsible for the construction of the textile machinery and building of the mill. The BMC transformed Waltham from an agrarian to an industrial town, and its effects were felt in both Waltham and around the nation.

In addition, the BMC was also famous for introducing the "Waltham System." This system brought young girls from surrounding areas to Waltham to work in the factory. The BMC provided housing and food, but required the girls to work a six-day workweek totaling around 80 hours per week. Countless factories around the United States adopted this system at the time to make up for an insufficient workforce.

Waltham's march into industrialization continued when the owners of the BMC and Dr. Samuel Dana established the Newton Chemical Company in 1825 to manufacture chemicals for dyes and bleaches. This company existed until 1970 and left a lasting legacy on the south side of Waltham, still known as "the chemistry."

The Waltham Watch Factory, started in Roxbury by Aaron Dennison, was moved to Waltham in 1854 because of the ample space available. The factory was famous for manufacturing millions of quality watches. It attracted master watchmakers from England and Sweden, and was visited by president Ulysses S. Grant and the King of Hawaii, among others. Even today, Waltham is known as the "City of the Watch."



The 19th and early 20th Centuries



As the population of Waltham surged in the beginning of the 19th century, the demand for cultural institutions grew. The Rumford Institute was constructed to provide a space for lectures, concerts, debates and plays. Lecturers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes appeared in this hall.

The Civil War was the defining event of the century in Waltham as it was for the rest of the country. In 1861, during a town meeting, Waltham voted to raise its own company, known as Company H. A total of 700 Waltham men served in the Civil War, some receiving prestigious medals and making important contributions to the Northern victory.

Following the Civil War, new immigrants began to arrive. These newcomers, mostly from Europe, were searching for better opportunities and quality of life in America. Like native citizens, immigrants were welcome to an array of industrial and cultural opportunities. A few of the improvements to Waltham in the latter part of the century included the Waltham Public Library, the beginning of the Waltham Free Press Tribune and the opening of many schools and a hospital.

In 1884, Waltham experienced a major change: It was incorporated as a city. The thriving town changed to a city government and marked the event with many elaborate celebrations.

In 1909, the Waltham Manufacturing Company became the Metz Car Company, which manufactured automobiles until it closed in 1930. Only a year later, the Watch Company began to deteriorate financially and the workers staged a 13 - month strike.

The Great Depression put a major damper on the financial situation of the town. Residents resorted to many different solutions to pare their living expenses, including sharing apartments and turning to WPA programs. Some even returned to their native lands.

It was not until World War II that Waltham recovered from the Great Depression. By contributing to the war effort, the city was able to boost itself out of its decayed financial situation. Industries were able to concentrate on producing for the war. Even the Waltham Watch Factory designed special timepieces.



The opening of Brandeis University



Only three years after the end of World War II, Brandeis University opened on the grounds of the former Middlesex Medical School. This University was founded by the Jewish Community as a non-sectarian institution of higher learning. George Alpert, the founding chairman of the University Board of Trustees, said at the time, "A commitment to excellence is not that unusual, but an unfaltering, unfailing devotion to its continuation is," according to Brandeis records.

Brandeis has had a vital impact on the city of Waltham, just as Waltham has had an equal impact on the Brandeis community. Thomas Savage, a former Brandeis professor, was interviewed on Nov. 2, 1950 by The News Tribune. "Waltham gains by being a university city," he said, "and the property near the university goes up in value." He added that people like to live near a cultural center, such as a university.

Current Waltham City Clerk Rosario Malone agrees. "With its academic ranking and diversity, it certainly is a plus for the city," he said. In addition, Malone pointed out the financial benefits Waltham gains from the University. "Brandeis is seventh in the tax base in the city of Waltham. They pay us $1.3 million a year."

Brandeis students have also taken an active part in the Waltham community through volunteering. The Waltham Group, a volunteer community service organization on campus, has given Brandeis students the opportunity to reach out to the Waltham community through tutorial, mentoring and other programs. As much as these programs benefit the city of Waltham, they also benefit Brandeis students, allowing them to reach beyond the gates of the University and into a larger community.



Waltham today and in the future



Today, Waltham has changed from a watch city to a high-tech city. "Waltham has become a city of technology, but hasn't skipped a beat when transforming," Malone said. Companies such as Raytheon, a leader in the electronics industry, have moved into Waltham and employ many of its residents.

With two major universities, Brandeis and Bentley, impressive industry and a rich history, Waltham is an attractive place to be. In Gately's opinion, the Waltham Common and Prospect Hill Park are the two most beautiful spots in the city because they "represent old and new." The movie directors of "State and Main" and "A Civil Action" must have agreed, since they decided to use Waltham as their filming location. Brandeis students, however, use the great location everyday.