It’s so much fun to learn some of the most unusual or quirky facts about a state, isn’t it? Well, the Bay State is no exception. We have compiled a list of fun facts about Massachusetts, some of which sound like they’re made up but are actually true! From historical facts to interesting facts in general, there is so much we can still learn about our awesome state.
- The very first telephone was in Boston, Massachusetts.
Grafissimo/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images Hello? Did you ever hear that Alexander Graham Bell spent time in Massachuetts and that the very first telephone, the device he invented, was in Boston? Therefore, the very first phone call was made in Bell’s Boston laboratory back in 1876. You can learn more on the Library of Congress website.
- Chocolate chip cookies were invented in Whitman, Massachusetts.
Sara Showalter/Moment via Getty Images It was at the Toll House Inn where the chocolate chip cookie was invented in the 1930s. And we have Ruth Wakefield to thank for this classic American treat. Thank you, Ruth!
- Another cookie, the Fig Newton, was also invented in Massachusets.
duckycards/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Named after the town of Newton, the Fig Newton was developed in Cambridgdeport at the Kennedy Biscuit Works in 1891. They were also one of the very first commercially baked goods in the country.
- The game of basketball was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Andrii Shablovskyi / EyeEm via Getty Images That’s right, folks. What is now one of the most popular professional sports in the country (and the world) was invented in Springfield in 1891. The person who developed it was 30-year-old PhysEd instructor James Naismith who worked for the International YMCA Training School. He saw the need for an indoor sport during the winter months, so he developed the game.
- The very first lighthouse in America was built in Boston.
howderfamily.com/Flickr Boston Light was first built in 1716 which pre-dates the Revolutionary War. Over the centuries, it’s been moved, experienced a few fires, and more. Today, it sits on Little Brewster Island in the Boston Harbor and is considered the oldest continuously-used lighthouse in the country. You can learn more about its history on the National Park Service website.
- The Boston Athenaeum has a book bound in…human skin.
Boston Athenæum/Facebook Yes, you read that correctly. While a horrifying thought, the book’s author, a career criminal by the name of James Allen, requested that the book be bound in his own skin after he died. You can read more about this infamous book at the Boston Athenaeum on our website. Boston Athenaeum, 10-1/2 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108, USA
- There’s a house made of paper in Rockport.
Peter Zaas/Google Local Located in Rockport, The Paper House is just that – a house made of (mostly) paper. While the framing, roof, and floors are made of wood, most of the rest of the house and the furniture inside is made of paper. It was built between 1922 and 1924 and lived in until 1930. It is now a museum you can visit. 52 Pigeon Hill St, Rockport, MA 01966, USA
- At one point, it was illegal to put tomatoes in clam chowder in Massachusetts.
Sergio Amiti/Moment via Getty Images Dating back to 1939, a bill was passed making it illegal to put tomatoes in clam chowder in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Now, who would do such a thing anyways?
- The first subway system was in Boston.
Boston City Archives/Flickr You may think it was New York that had the first subway system, but it was actually Boston. Built between 1895 and 1897, there was a 1.5-mile route for streetcars that was the first subway system in the country.
- The lake with the longest name in the world is located in Webster.
Bob Smith/Google Local That’s right! Have you ever been to Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg? Can you pronounce it? With 45 letters and 14 syllables, it’s the longest-named lake in the world. It’s also referred to as Webster Lake.
Grafissimo/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images
Hello? Did you ever hear that Alexander Graham Bell spent time in Massachuetts and that the very first telephone, the device he invented, was in Boston? Therefore, the very first phone call was made in Bell’s Boston laboratory back in 1876. You can learn more on the Library of Congress website.
Sara Showalter/Moment via Getty Images
It was at the Toll House Inn where the chocolate chip cookie was invented in the 1930s. And we have Ruth Wakefield to thank for this classic American treat. Thank you, Ruth!
duckycards/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Named after the town of Newton, the Fig Newton was developed in Cambridgdeport at the Kennedy Biscuit Works in 1891. They were also one of the very first commercially baked goods in the country.
Andrii Shablovskyi / EyeEm via Getty Images
That’s right, folks. What is now one of the most popular professional sports in the country (and the world) was invented in Springfield in 1891. The person who developed it was 30-year-old PhysEd instructor James Naismith who worked for the International YMCA Training School. He saw the need for an indoor sport during the winter months, so he developed the game.
howderfamily.com/Flickr
Boston Light was first built in 1716 which pre-dates the Revolutionary War. Over the centuries, it’s been moved, experienced a few fires, and more. Today, it sits on Little Brewster Island in the Boston Harbor and is considered the oldest continuously-used lighthouse in the country. You can learn more about its history on the National Park Service website.
Boston Athenæum/Facebook
Yes, you read that correctly. While a horrifying thought, the book’s author, a career criminal by the name of James Allen, requested that the book be bound in his own skin after he died. You can read more about this infamous book at the Boston Athenaeum on our website.
Boston Athenaeum, 10-1/2 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108, USA
Peter Zaas/Google Local
Located in Rockport, The Paper House is just that – a house made of (mostly) paper. While the framing, roof, and floors are made of wood, most of the rest of the house and the furniture inside is made of paper. It was built between 1922 and 1924 and lived in until 1930. It is now a museum you can visit.
52 Pigeon Hill St, Rockport, MA 01966, USA
Sergio Amiti/Moment via Getty Images
Dating back to 1939, a bill was passed making it illegal to put tomatoes in clam chowder in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Now, who would do such a thing anyways?
Boston City Archives/Flickr
You may think it was New York that had the first subway system, but it was actually Boston. Built between 1895 and 1897, there was a 1.5-mile route for streetcars that was the first subway system in the country.
Bob Smith/Google Local
That’s right! Have you ever been to Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg? Can you pronounce it? With 45 letters and 14 syllables, it’s the longest-named lake in the world. It’s also referred to as Webster Lake.
So, did you know any of these fun facts about Massachusetts? It’s amazing how many inventions and firsts were made right here in the Bay State! Do you have any to add to this list? Please do so in the comments.
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