Merrymount
Tucked away between Quincy Bay and Wollaston Beach, Merrymount is a residential neighborhood in Quincy that boasts a rich history as well as coastal setting. The community draws its name from its origins as the colony of Mare Mount, also known as “Merry Mount” and has something of a scandalous past. Established in 1625 by Puritan Separatists, other groups soon gained influence with the community evolving into a beacon for those who didn’t fit the mold of Puritan life. Inhabitants threw large parties centered around a maypole and indulged in other “pagan leanings,” much to the chagrin of the original colonists. After efforts to suppress this behavior, the colony was dissolved and ultimately the land was sold to an ancestor of Abigail Adams and owned by generations of the Adams family. Today the houses along Norton Road and Shore Drive feature expansive water views as well as all the amenities of a beach community. The housing stock is diverse -- ranging from colonial and cape-style homes -- to ranches and smaller bungalows built in the post-World War II era. The central business district along Sea Street houses a number of dining options and other eateries. The tight-knit neighborhood is famed for its two-day multi-generational Fourth of July celebration, culminating in a parade. Residents also enthusiastically participate in a Halloween Festival, Thanksgiving Road Race and other seasonal activities organized by the Merrymount Association.
Merrymount is bordered to the north by Quincy Bay; to the south by Quincy Center; to the east by Adams Shore; and to the west by Black’s Creek.