When Waltham was first settled in the 1600's, it was named after Waltham, England, which was pronounced "wall" "thumb" with the emphasis on the "wall". Along the way between then and now, the "thumb" mutated into the Massachusetts sound of "ham", into "Wall" "thamb", still with the emphasis on the first syllable. I can't begin to guess how they pronounce it in Waltham, Maine. Walt-hum?
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Contact Scott Shurr at sshurr@gmail.com Updated: 25 September 2025