MEDFORD, me'd'ford, Mass., city, in Mid dlesex County; on the Mystic River and on the Boston and Maine five miles north west of Boston. The area is about 10 square miles. It was founded in 1630 by people from Salem who called the place Meadford. In 1892 it was chartered as a city, having within its limits the villages of South Medford, West Medford, Hillside, Glenwood and Wellington. It is a residential suburb of Boston, but it has some important industrial interests, chief of which are the manufacturing of machinery, cot ton goods, dyes, chemicals, carriages, brick and novelties. It is the seat of Tufts College (q.v.), and has the city and the college libraries. The Cradock House, built in 1634, is one of the old est, if not the oldest building in the United States which retains its original form. The city has four large and several small parks, many miles of boulevard (Metropolitan Park ways) and includes many acres of State reserva tion (called Middlesex Falls) where game is protected and the public allowed to enjoy the natural beauties of the country. Royal
House)) is also located in this city and is of historic (Colonial) interest and is preserved by the Royal House Association, it is of the finest type of Colonial design. Oak Grove, the largest of its three cemeteries, has an area of 34 acres. The charter granted in 1892 is still in force and provides for the administration of the municipality by a mayor, who holds of fice two years, and a board of aldermen com posed of 21 members. The administrative of ficials are appointed by the mayor or elected by the council. The board of education is chosen by popular vote. Pop. 23,150. Consult Usher, 'History of the Town of Medford, Mass.'