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Union Square (Somerville)
Encyclopedia
Union Square is a neighborhood of Somerville
, Massachusetts
, located around the intersection of Washington Street and Somerville Avenue, about half a mile from Inman Square
in neighboring Cambridge
. The name "Union Square" comes from the square having been used as a recruitment and mustering site for the Union Army in the American Civil War
. A plaque commemorating the mustering site sits at the southwest corner of the square between Somerville Avenue and Washington Street. Union Square is now the commercial center of a primarily residential neighborhood with many restaurants, bars and neighborhood stores.
As the oldest and largest commercial area in the city, Union Square is home to a number of community institutions, including the headquarters of the Somerville police
. The Prospect Hill Monument, Union Square Post Office
, Somerville Community Access Television
(SCATV), and BostonFreeRadio.com
are all in Union Square.
, had great strategic importance in the Revolutionary War and became known as the "Citadel". The castle, dating back to 1902, is a monument commemorating the fortifications atop the hill during that war. A tablet inside reads: "This tablet is erected in memory of the soldiers of the Revolution and of the Civil War who encamped on Prospect Hill and of the banners under which they valiantly fought." It is said by some that George Washington
first raised an early version of the U.S. Flag
, called the Grand Union Flag
, on Prospect Hill, on January 1, 1776. Others, however, claim evidence the flag was flown earlier. Somerville is one of several locales claiming to have hosted the flag's first raising.
In its early years, Somerville was an agricultural suburb, supplying the growing urban area surrounding Boston. Union Square, originally known as Milk Row, was a busy sales point for these products. In the 1800s, rail access through Boynton Yards and the Union Square passenger stop served the meat packing and manufacturing district, which included a slaughterhouse
, brickyard
, and glass
shop. Later the rail yards became an industrial area.
Union Square's location at the juncture of working-class East Somerville and the city's tonier western sections have made it the focal point of changing demographics. While Union Square still offered ten dollar Brazilian haircuts as of 2005, more upscale cafes and restaurants have opened since the 1990s, bringing gentrification
deeper into Somerville and nourishing pedestrian street life, though with a highbrow twist.
Union Square is a hub for bars, although this feature, too, is fast changing. Current and former establishments include Bull McCabe's (formerly Tir na nÓg), P.A.'s Lounge, The Independent, Precinct (formerly Toast), Choices, Sally O'Briens and Cantina La Mexicana (formerly Irish Eyes, closed in May 2006). Local restaurants include Ronnarong Thai, Journeyman, India Palace, The Neighborhood Restaurant, Sweet Ginger, Taquería la Mexicana, Sherman Cafe, Bloc 11, Macchu Pichu, Jimbo's Famous Roast Beef, and Mama Gina's. The most recent addition, Journeyman, opened in September 2010.
Many markets in the area are run by and cater to the various ethnic groups that live in and around Union Square. International Market is a Salvadoran store, Solução and Pão de Açucar sell Brazilian foods, Little India and New Bombay Market are Indian grocery stores, Capone's is an Italian grocery, and Reliable Market features Asian ingredients, primarily Korean. In 2010, Sherman's opened a store featuring only locally produced foods.
, a local development group, began running a Saturday morning farmers' market
in 2005 as one of its first visible efforts in the square. A landscaped community garden, with regularly scheduled concerts and artistic events, sits just outside Union Square at the site of an old school, at 22 Vinal Avenue. Marshmallow Fluff was invented in Union Square in 1917. Every September, Union Square Main Streets holds the "What the Fluff?" festival to honor this invention and Union Square's part in marshmallow history.
routes, including the 85, 86
, 87, 91, and CT2, pass through Union Square. The Fitchburg Line
passes along the south edge of the district, but does not stop. The MBTA is planning to serve the Union Square area with the Green Line Extension, which will add a station in the Fitchburg right-of-way.
Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, located around the intersection of Washington Street and Somerville Avenue, about half a mile from Inman Square
Inman Square
Inman Square is a neighborhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It lies north of Central Square, at the junction of Cambridge, Hampshire, and Inman Streets near the Cambridge–Somerville border.-Location:...
in neighboring Cambridge
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
. The name "Union Square" comes from the square having been used as a recruitment and mustering site for the Union Army in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. A plaque commemorating the mustering site sits at the southwest corner of the square between Somerville Avenue and Washington Street. Union Square is now the commercial center of a primarily residential neighborhood with many restaurants, bars and neighborhood stores.
As the oldest and largest commercial area in the city, Union Square is home to a number of community institutions, including the headquarters of the Somerville police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
. The Prospect Hill Monument, Union Square Post Office
US Post Office-Somerville Main
US Post Office—Somerville Main, built in 1935, is a historic post office at 237 Washington Street within Union Square in Somerville, Massachusetts.It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.-References:...
, Somerville Community Access Television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
(SCATV), and BostonFreeRadio.com
Internet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
are all in Union Square.
History
Historic Prospect Hill's castle and park overlook Union Square and points south and west and provide outstanding panoramic views. Because of its location and height, the hill, dominating the road from CharlestownCharlestown, Massachusetts
Charlestown is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and is located on a peninsula north of downtown Boston. Charlestown was originally a separate town and the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony; it became a city in 1847 and was annexed by Boston on January 5, 1874...
, had great strategic importance in the Revolutionary War and became known as the "Citadel". The castle, dating back to 1902, is a monument commemorating the fortifications atop the hill during that war. A tablet inside reads: "This tablet is erected in memory of the soldiers of the Revolution and of the Civil War who encamped on Prospect Hill and of the banners under which they valiantly fought." It is said by some that George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
first raised an early version of the U.S. Flag
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
, called the Grand Union Flag
Grand Union Flag
The Grand Union Flag is considered to be the first national flag of the United States. This flag consisted of 13 red and white stripes with the British Union Flag of the time The Grand Union Flag (also the Continental Colors, the Congress Flag, the Cambridge Flag, and the First Navy Ensign) is...
, on Prospect Hill, on January 1, 1776. Others, however, claim evidence the flag was flown earlier. Somerville is one of several locales claiming to have hosted the flag's first raising.
In its early years, Somerville was an agricultural suburb, supplying the growing urban area surrounding Boston. Union Square, originally known as Milk Row, was a busy sales point for these products. In the 1800s, rail access through Boynton Yards and the Union Square passenger stop served the meat packing and manufacturing district, which included a slaughterhouse
Slaughterhouse
A slaughterhouse or abattoir is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food products.Approximately 45-50% of the animal can be turned into edible products...
, brickyard
Brickyard
A brickyard is a place or yard where the earthen building material called bricks are made, fired, and stored, or sometimes sold or otherwise distributed from.-See also:...
, and glass
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
shop. Later the rail yards became an industrial area.
Commerce and gentrification
Gentrification
Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated with movement. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size...
deeper into Somerville and nourishing pedestrian street life, though with a highbrow twist.
Union Square is a hub for bars, although this feature, too, is fast changing. Current and former establishments include Bull McCabe's (formerly Tir na nÓg), P.A.'s Lounge, The Independent, Precinct (formerly Toast), Choices, Sally O'Briens and Cantina La Mexicana (formerly Irish Eyes, closed in May 2006). Local restaurants include Ronnarong Thai, Journeyman, India Palace, The Neighborhood Restaurant, Sweet Ginger, Taquería la Mexicana, Sherman Cafe, Bloc 11, Macchu Pichu, Jimbo's Famous Roast Beef, and Mama Gina's. The most recent addition, Journeyman, opened in September 2010.
Many markets in the area are run by and cater to the various ethnic groups that live in and around Union Square. International Market is a Salvadoran store, Solução and Pão de Açucar sell Brazilian foods, Little India and New Bombay Market are Indian grocery stores, Capone's is an Italian grocery, and Reliable Market features Asian ingredients, primarily Korean. In 2010, Sherman's opened a store featuring only locally produced foods.
Community amenities
Union Square Main StreetsUnion Square Main Streets
Union Square Main Streets is a community development organization in Somerville, Massachusetts that aims to enhance the Union Square area's commercial viability through collaborative efforts in design, promotion, economic restructuring, transportation, and organization.Initiated by Mayor Joseph...
, a local development group, began running a Saturday morning farmers' market
Farmers' market
A farmers' market consists of individual vendors—mostly farmers—who set up booths, tables or stands, outdoors or indoors, to sell produce, meat products, fruits and sometimes prepared foods and beverages...
in 2005 as one of its first visible efforts in the square. A landscaped community garden, with regularly scheduled concerts and artistic events, sits just outside Union Square at the site of an old school, at 22 Vinal Avenue. Marshmallow Fluff was invented in Union Square in 1917. Every September, Union Square Main Streets holds the "What the Fluff?" festival to honor this invention and Union Square's part in marshmallow history.
Transportation
Several MBTA busBus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
routes, including the 85, 86
86 (MBTA bus)
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority operates the 86 bus between Sullivan Square and Reservoir/Cleveland Circle via Harvard. It connects the Orange Line with the Red Line and the B, C, and D branches of the Green line. It can provide a faster connection between these locations than...
, 87, 91, and CT2, pass through Union Square. The Fitchburg Line
Fitchburg Line
The Fitchburg Line is an MBTA line that runs from Boston's North Station to Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The line is along the tracks of the former Fitchburg Railroad, which was a railroad line across northern Massachusetts, United States, leading to and through the Hoosac Tunnel. It is one of the...
passes along the south edge of the district, but does not stop. The MBTA is planning to serve the Union Square area with the Green Line Extension, which will add a station in the Fitchburg right-of-way.