Bedford, Massachusetts

First settled in 1640, the town of Bedford was incorporated in 1729 with land from the neighboring towns of Concord and Billerica. Bedford comprises a roughly circular area of almost 14 square miles on the Concord River, approximately 15 miles northwest of Boston. Bedford is a relatively small town of about 13,000 residents, and is one of several Massachusetts towns which still practices the open town meeting form of government. Bedford retains much of its rural colonial character; historic sites include a town common and meeting house, as well as centuries-old farms and homes. Bedford's Minutemen gathered at Fitch Tavern in the town center before marching to Concord on April 19, 1775 - carrying with them what is thought to be the oldest intact battle flag in the U.S.

In 1630, English settlers John Winthrop and Thomas Dudley of the Massachusetts Bay Company arrived in Massachusetts Bay colony. In 1637, John Winthrop, now the first governor of Massachusetts, and his deputy governor Thomas Dudley received a grant of land from the Massachusetts General Court. The two men elected to divide the land, some 2,200 acres along the Concord River, the following year. Using a pair of large boulders on the riverbank as a landmark, the property south of this marker was deeded to Governor Winthrop, and the section to the north to Deputy Governor Dudley. As the two men were later related by marriage, the boulders came to be known as "Brothers Rocks." The rocks still stand today as part of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Through the 18th and into the 19th centuries, Bedford's industry was largely agricultural, including dairy farming and apple orchards. The Shawsheen River and Vine Brook provided power for several mills, including a paper mill established in 1840 which employed many of the town's residents. The John Wilson Corne Mill served variously as a grist mill, saw mill, and cider mill. A shoe factory operated in the early years of the 19th century. Railroad service provided convenient access to Boston and Lexington until 1977; the old railbed has been converted for use as a bikepath.

The town of Bedford's rich Revolutionary and Civil War histories are extended into the 20th and 21st centuries through its defense-related businesses and employers, including Hanscom Air Force Base, Raytheon Company, and a Veterans Administration Hospital. Bedford has also hosted related industries such as electronics engineering and optical and scientific equipment manufacturing. These industries have asbestos risks associated with both facilities construction and manufacturing processes. Employees who worked in these industries may be at risk to develop asbestos disease.

Jobsites in Bedford where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in Bedford, MA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Bedford, MA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Bedford, MA. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.

Mesothelioma Doctors Near Bedford, MA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors who are located within a 100 mile radius of Bedford, MA. Please click on a doctor link to obtain more information about his/her background, areas of expertise, professional affiliations and office locations.