Everett

Gazing across the Mystic River, can you picture Everett before the towering Encore Boston Harbor graced its shores? Everett, Massachusetts, a city brimming with pride, progress, and possibilities, has a history as rich and layered as the peanut butter churned out by the Leavitt Corporation since 1924. Established just north of Boston, bordering Charlestown, Everett traces its roots back to 1630, initially a part of Charlestown and later Malden. The city proudly bears the name of Edward Everett, a distinguished statesman who served as a U.S. Representative, Senator, Governor of Massachusetts, Minister to Great Britain, and U.S. Secretary of State. He even held the prestigious position of President of Harvard University. Everett officially became a city in 1892, marking a turning point in its development. Alonzo H. Evans took the helm as its first mayor, ushering in a new era. Over time, landfill projects reshaped Everett’s coastline, even connecting the mainland to what was once White Island in the Mystic River. This land bridge played a crucial role in the construction of the Grand Junction Railroad. The 20th century brought industrial booms and challenges. The Beacon Oil refinery, established in 1920, became a significant presence, though not without incident, experiencing several explosions and fires in its early years. Later, the Distrigas of Massachusetts terminal, the nation’s first, began importing liquefied natural gas in 1971, further solidifying Everett’s role in the energy sector. Today, this terminal, now under Constellation Energy, receives the lion’s share of LNG imports into the United States. But perhaps the most dramatic transformation came with the arrival of Encore Boston Harbor in 2019. This $2.6 billion integrated resort, featuring a hotel, harborwalk, restaurants, and of course, a casino, has reshaped the city’s landscape and economy. Everett continues to evolve, attracting new residents drawn to its proximity to Boston and its own unique charm. From its humble beginnings to its vibrant present, Everett remains a city on the rise.