Legend has it that the town name is from an Indian word meaning “great”. And for the home of the first integrated iron-making plant in North America, the name “Saugus” is just right.
Called “Hammersmith” by the first settlers, this town has been forged by centuries of hard work and ambition — what was once a small settlement of land tillers expanded and grew to become the urbanized area it is today.
From Saugus soil rose a pioneer establishment that best represents what this New England town stands for — the spirit of community and the value of hard work and integrity. The Saugus Ironworks is the first of its kind in the country, and after decades of having lost this treasure, the current Saugus Ironworks National Historic Site was reconstructed from the abandoned — but unforgotten — area. Reopened in 2008, the Historic Site has become a key point in Saugus tourism, and it lies in the heart of this Massachusetts town’s rich history. Simple, even understated, yet durable and useful — these are traits of the main products of the Saugus Iron Works — but these also describe life in Saugus and its people.
Saugus is also known for its outdoors — another one of Saugus’ treasures is the Breakheart Reservation. Breakheart is made of a large forest along the Saugus River, and good land, a nature lover’s dream come true. The reservation’s terrain is ideal for hiking and exploration, and for those more inclined for the less-open space, Breakheart also has different activity areas, as well as events that are entertaining or educational (or both) for people of all ages. From movie nights to sports weekends, Breakheart Reservation surely is no heart-breaker! Together with Breakheart, Camp Nihan also caters to all-around activities such as camping and educational nature trips within the Saugus, Salem, and Boston areas. Rumney Marsh is also one of the natural wonders of the area, this salt marsh being home to a number of migratory birds and various kinds of marine life. Recreational activities such as boating, fishing and bird watching are also encouraged here.
Within Saugus also runs Route 1, which divides the town into North and South. This strip of highway may just be three miles, but it is Saugus’ commercial center — lined with retail stores, shops, bars and restaurants. Route 1 is like the pulse of the town, where the comings and goings of the local area, as well as the North Shore and beyond, meet.
Fostered by a sense of advocacy and community, the citizens of Saugus have several organizations and causes that address different needs and objectives. The Friends of Breakheart Reservation is a group of volunteers aimed at running and maintaining the outdoor destination. There’s also the Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE), the Saugus Rotary Club, the Saugus YMCA, and the Saugus Chamber of Commerce, among many other groups that contribute to each aspect of the residents’ lives. Each organization conducts activities relevant to their goal of improving the community life and pushing their advocacies with educational and recreational activities and fundraisers, and awareness campaigns. These organizations reflect the residents’ various interests and beliefs — from the arts and sciences to matters of faith and opinion, politics, civics and even just for the pure enjoyment of life.
Saugus has a good mix of tradition and innovation — there have been many firsts in this town, including one of first outdoor drive-in movie theaters in the US. There has also been a lot of changes, reconstructions, and improvements in the town landscape: old establishments giving way to the new, existing structures making room for additions and reinforcements. This is one way of keeping up with the times, but it is also a way of showing that Saugus is a place for growth and accomplishment. Change geared toward improvement and security.
They say great things come in small packages: there might be nothing small in what Saugus represents, but at the heart of it all, Saugus is just a small town with great dreams — and that’s what makes this New England town awesome. Saugus and its people will continue giving their best in order to continue the legacy of greatness, dignity and determination woven into its rich history.
