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() is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,632 at the 2000 census. With just 1.2 square miles (3.2 km²) of land area, it is the smallest municipality in the state. It is primarily a residential community.
Native Americans called the area "Nahant," meaning "the point" or "almost an island." Located on a rocky peninsula jutting into Massachusetts Bay, it was first settled in 1630, in the second year of the Puritan coming. The servants of Isaac Johnson grazed his cattle on the land, and it was also often used by citizens of Lynn for grazing cattle, sheep and goats. Before 1800 there were only three homes on the island those built by the Breeds and the Hoods, and the Johnson home built by Jeremiah Gray. The first hotel was built by one of the Johnsons 1802, and in 1817 a steamboat ran daily between Boston and Nahant. The town was originally part of Lynn; when the temperance movement threatened the summer resort trade in 1853, Nahant incorporated as a separate town. In the late 19th century, it was home to some of the country's first amusement parks, as well as a popular summer retreat for the wealthy. During World War II, East Point was the site of a coastal artillery. It is now a town park, and location of the