Founded in 1626, the City of Beverly is one of the oldest communities in the state of Massachusetts. Residents describe the city as the birthplace of the United States Navy, noting that the first ship commissioned by the Navy first sailed from Beverly Harbor.

Located in northeastern Massachusetts, Beverly is bordered by Danvers on the west, Wenham on the north and east, Wenham and Manchester on the east, and Beverly Harbor and the Danvers River on the south. Beverly is seven miles north of Lynn; 18 miles north of Boston; 88 miles south of Portland, Maine; and 238 miles from New York City.

Originally part of Salem and the Naumkeag Territory, the area was first settled in 1626 by Roger Conant. But because of religious differences with Governor John Endicott, Beverly would be set off and officially incorporated in 1668, when it was named after an English bishop. Surviving from the settlement's early history is the Balch House, built about 1636, one of the two oldest wood-frame houses in the United States.

The first ship commissioned by the United States military (actually the US Army, as the US Navy did not yet exist), was the armed schooner Hannah. It was outfitted at Glover's Wharf, and first sailed from Beverly Harbor on September 2, 1775. For this reason Beverly describes itself as the "Birthplace of America's Navy" -- a claim disputed by other towns, including nearby Marblehead. The "Hannah" can be found on the patch of the city's police department. It is also the site of the first cotton mill in 1787, as well as one of the first Sunday schools in the country in 1810. Beverly would be incorporated as a city in 1894.

From Beverly Harbor, the Danvers River and Beverly are reached via the Beverly Channel, a 1.5-mile-long, well-marked passage that leads from Juniper Point on Salem Neck, all the way to the bridges at Beverly and the mouth of the Danvers River.

From Haste Shoal in Beverly Harbor, pick up flashing red "16," and then head westward to red nun "2" and green can "3" northeast of Juniper Point. From here, head toward red nun "4," green can "5" and green can "7." These marks line the bend of the Beverly Channel toward the southwest. Once you have cleared the channel turn, stay in the channel to avoid the numerous anchored and moored boats in the harbor until you arrive at Tuck Point. A railroad swing bridge and high fixed bridge cross the river at the city waterfront. The high fixed bridge has a vertical clearance of 49 feet, and the railroad swing bridge is most often left in the open position.

If you want to explore further into Beverly, follow the marked channel along up the Danvers River until you reach green can "9," where you will make a starboard turn into the Porter River. Before that, you must clear the Liberty Hill Avenue Swing Bridge, which has an eight-foot closed vertical clearance. The bridge opens on demand.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

See the "Helpful Links" section below for a detailed calendar of events.

Bus service is provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, and busses travvel in and around Salem and Beverly, and also on to Boston. See the "Helpful Links" section below for detailed schedules and routes served by the busses.

Logan International Airport is only 15 miles away from Beverly, and local transportation or can be arranged, or a shuttle can be reserved through the airport for a fee. See the "Helpful Links" section below for more detailed airport information.

City of Beverly

Beverly Calendar of Events

Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority

Logan International Airport