Medford (City of), Middlesex County, MA

City of Medford

Historical Context

Settled in 1630-35, incorporated as a town in 1684, and as a city in 1892. Said to have been called Meadford by Dudley; called Metford in the deeds of Cradocks widow, this being taken apparently from the name of a hamlet near Caverswell, the seat of the Cradock family in England. Another theory is that the name was selected by early settlers because of the vast marshes, resembling meads or meadows (MA-T1/p29).

Elevation

30 feet

Latitude (decimal)

42.4234233

Longitude (decimal)

-71.1086728

GNIS/GNS Feature ID

619405

Authoritative Source

U.S. Geographic Information Names System (GNIS) at U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS), ( https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/search/names : accessed 13 May 2025). Entered placename and selected filters to find domestic name approved by the United States Board on Geographic Names.