ANDOVER, MA — Beyond government decisions and public-safety responses, 2025 brought a wide range of stories that revealed Andover’s history, generosity, community spirit and even geological surprises. These stories moved residents, sparked conversations and reflected the more human side of local life. Together they formed a portrait of a town experiencing both loss and connection throughout the year.
From historic preservation to public demonstrations and acts of kindness, the year’s most memorable community moments showed how deeply Andover residents remain engaged with one another and their surroundings.
The 1699 Osgood House Is Demolished After Years of Decline
One of the most-watched events of the year was the demolition of the 1699 Osgood House — a building believed to be among Andover’s oldest. Years of hoarding, structural deterioration and repeated enforcement actions had left the property unsafe, and after lengthy review, the town determined the building could not be saved. Residents gathered throughout the week to watch the dismantling of the structure, marking the end of a complicated and often contentious chapter in Andover’s preservation history.
Before demolition began, workers salvaged the granite step associated with the 1783 lightning strike that killed James Otis Jr., offering a small but meaningful connection to the town’s Revolutionary-era past. While the house itself was lost, the preserved artifact provided some consolation to residents who hoped at least a piece of the property’s history could survive.
Record $8.5 Million Home Sale Generates Wide Curiosity
A sprawling Andover estate sold for $8.5 million, setting a new residential record and igniting community fascination. Photos of the property circulated widely as residents marveled at the home’s scale, amenities and grounds. The sale not only made headlines but also fueled broader discussion about Andover’s evolving real-estate market and the growing gap between luxury properties and more modest homes.
The transaction underscored the strength of the high-end market in Andover and the continued demand for large, well-appointed properties. For many readers, the sale symbolized both the town’s desirability and the ongoing challenges posed by rising home prices across the region.
SNAP Uncertainty Spurs Spike in Food-Assistance Demand
A potential federal shutdown late in the year threatened to disrupt SNAP benefits for nearly 2,000 Andover residents, leading to increased demand at local food-assistance organizations. The Village Food Hub and other groups ramped up operations, preparing for a surge of families who might suddenly lose access to federal support. The story resonated widely as residents realized the scale of food insecurity in a town often perceived as insulated from such challenges.
The spike in need highlighted the critical role nonprofit organizations play in filling gaps during periods of federal uncertainty. It also prompted renewed community conversations about the hidden realities of economic hardship in Andover — and the importance of sustained financial support for local food-assistance programs.
Hundreds Attend ‘No Kings’ Rally in Shawsheen Square
In one of the largest public demonstrations the town has seen in recent years, hundreds of residents lined sidewalks in Shawsheen Square during the “No Kings” rallies in May and October. Participants held signs, chanted, and filled every corner of the intersection as passing drivers honked in support. The rally was notable not just for its size but also for the broad range of ages and backgrounds represented.
Photos captured by Andover News showed the scale and energy of the event and quickly became some of the most-shared images of the year. For many residents, the rally was a defining moment of local civic engagement in 2025.
Community Helps Teacher Find Kidney Donor Match
One of the year’s most uplifting stories came from the Andover Public Schools community, where a teacher in need of a kidney transplant found a donor match following a town-wide outreach effort. The news brought an outpouring of relief and joy from students, staff and parents, and quickly spread across town.
The story became a powerful example of Andover’s capacity to support one of its own in a moment of crisis. At a time when schools were coping with tension and debate, the donor-match story offered a rare moment of collective celebration.
Earthquake Tremor Gives Residents a Shared Moment
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake centered in Maine caused noticeable shaking across Andover, rattling windows, startling pets, and sending residents to social media to ask, “Did anyone else feel that?” Although no damage was reported in town, the unusual tremor quickly became one of the most-talked-about local moments of the year.
For many, the earthquake served as a lighthearted shared experience — a brief break from the year’s heavier news, and a reminder of how even unexpected natural events can bring people together.
Train-Vehicle Crash Near Andover Station Highlights a Problematic Crossing
A vehicle collided with an MBTA commuter-rail train at the Essex Street/Pearson Street/Railroad Street intersection near the Andover station, prompting a large emergency response. The location has a history of crashes and close calls, and the incident renewed concerns about visibility, traffic patterns and pedestrian movement in the area.
The story brought attention to a longstanding infrastructure challenge and invigorated discussions about whether improvements or redesigns are needed around the station and rail crossing.