Cambridge, Massachusetts

City: Cambridge

County: Middlesex

State: Massachusetts

Lat/Long: 42.3667, -71.1000

Founded in 1630 and known as New Towne until 1638, Cambridge is situated on the Charles River three miles west of Boston in northeastern Massachusetts. In 1636, Cambridge became home to Harvard College, the first institution of higher learning in America, and in 1640, it received the distinction of having the first printing press in the colonies. Cambridge served as George Washington's headquarters during the first year of the American Revolution. During the nineteenth century, Cambridge was home to many of America's leading literary figures.

Webster's New Geographical Dictionary (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1988), 207; Courtlandt Canby, The Encyclopedia of Historic Places (New York: Facts on File, 1984), 1:146.