Somerville, Massachusetts

Somerville is a city located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, just north of Boston. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 77,478. With only slightly over 4 square miles (10 km²) of land, this makes it the most densely populated community in New England. It was established as a town in 1842, when it was separated from the urbanizing Charlestown because it was still largely rural.

History

Somerville was first settled in 1630 and was officially incorporated in 1842.

Related Topics:
1630 - 1842

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Traffic on the Middlesex Canal began its famous route from the mouth of the Charles River in Charlestown (IE Boston) to Lowell going through East Somerville, where several historical markers can be discovered today.

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Historically Somerville encompassed many of the less desirable railway and industrial lands squeezed between the Charles River to the southwest and the Mystic River to the northeast. For all its problems, Somerville's late 1800s and early 1900s industrial revolution left behind a rich historical record of Sanborn Maps, apparently invented in Somerville in 1867, and subsequently used for fire insurance appraisal across the USA. You can view delicate original Sanborn Maps in all their detail at the main branch of the Somerville Public Library. More on Somerville's industrial past below1.

Related Topics:
Charles River - Mystic River - Industrial revolution - Sanborn Maps - 1

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The Somerville Museum is one hidden local treasure for discovering Somerville's roots, in a beautiful building run by volunteers, at 1 Westwood Rd on the corner with Central St. Call 617-666-9810 for information on the latest historical and artistic exhibits.

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Historical postcards of Prospect Hill above Union Square, where one of the earliest American flags was raised January 1st 1776, are online here.

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