Dedham, MA 02026
Dedham Real Estate
A 1636 county seat on the Charles River, with Dedham Square, Legacy Place and the Fairbanks House
Updated
- ZIP codes
- 02026
- Getting around
- Franklin/Foxboro Line commuter rail at Endicott and Dedham Corporate Center; MBTA buses 34E and 35 to Forest Hills (Orange Line); Route 1 and I-95/Route 128
- Typical homes
- First Period and Federal-era homes, Victorians and Colonials near Dedham Square, capes and ranches in outer sections, and some condos
Settled in 1635 and incorporated a year later, Dedham is one of the oldest inland towns in Massachusetts and has been the seat of Norfolk County since the 1790s. The Charles River loops through the town, and in 1639 settlers dug Mother Brook to send part of its flow to the Neponset, creating what is often cited as the first man-made canal in the country. The Fairbanks House on East Street, built around 1641, is the oldest timber-frame house in North America verified by tree-ring dating.
Dedham Square, where High and Washington streets meet, still feels like a town center, with the granite Norfolk County Court House, the Dedham Historical Society and Museum and the Dedham Community Theatre. Out by Route 128, Legacy Place gathers shopping, dining and a cinema in an open-air layout. Neighborhoods such as East Dedham, Oakdale, Riverdale, Greenlodge and Endicott each have their own street pattern and era of construction.
Dedham has local historic districts overseen by its Historic Districts Commission, so it's worth asking early whether a house you like falls inside one before planning new windows, siding or an addition. The same antique details that draw buyers to the center can come with a review process for exterior work.
Living in Dedham
What makes Dedham special
Historic Dedham Square
The 1827 Greek Revival Norfolk County Court House, site of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial, anchors a town center of churches, shops and the Community Theatre.
Fairbanks House
Built around 1641 for Jonathan Fairbanks, the house on East Street is now a museum and North America's oldest dendro-dated timber-frame home.
Charles River and Mother Brook
The Charles winds through Riverdale and the town center, while Mother Brook, dug in 1639, still links it to the Neponset in East Dedham.
Endicott Estate
A 1904 Colonial Revival mansion on 18 acres along East Street, now owned by the town and used for community events.
Legacy Place
An open-air shopping and dining center off Route 1 near Route 128, with a cinema and national retailers.
Commuter rail
Endicott and Dedham Corporate Center stations on the Franklin/Foxboro Line run to Back Bay and South Station.
The Market
Dedham homes & real estate
Dedham's homes span nearly four centuries. Around Dedham Square and along Court, Church and High streets you'll find First Period, Federal and Greek Revival houses alongside Victorians. East Dedham, near Mother Brook, has closely spaced homes and multi-families from its mill-village years. Oakdale and the streets near Endicott station feature early 1900s Colonials and bungalows, while Greenlodge, Riverdale and the western side of town have many capes, ranches and split-levels from the mid-twentieth century. Condos and townhouses add a smaller layer of options.
Buyers looking at older homes in the center should check local historic district boundaries and review requirements for exterior work. Low ground near the Charles in Riverdale can carry flood zone considerations, and traffic patterns along Route 1 and Washington Street affect some streets more than others. Commuter rail riders often compare walking distance to Endicott against the park-and-ride at Dedham Corporate Center. When you're ready to see how recent Dedham sales line up with your plans, let's talk.
Helpful guides: First-time buyer guideHow offers work in MassachusettsMortgage options by property typeSelling a house in Massachusetts
Getting around: Commuter rail towns
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes cover Dedham?
Dedham's residential addresses use the 02026 ZIP code.
How do you get to downtown Boston from Dedham?
The Franklin/Foxboro commuter rail line stops at Endicott and Dedham Corporate Center and continues to Back Bay and South Station. MBTA buses such as the 34E and 35 connect Dedham to Forest Hills on the Orange Line, and drivers can use Route 1 or the VFW Parkway into the city.
What types of homes are for sale in Dedham?
Dedham listings include antique and colonial-era homes near Dedham Square, Victorians and early twentieth-century Colonials, mid-century capes and ranches, multi-families in East Dedham, and a modest number of condos.
What is Dedham known for?
Dedham is known for its 1636 founding, the Fairbanks House, Mother Brook, the Norfolk County Court House where the Sacco and Vanzetti trial was held, and the Legacy Place shopping center.
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