Magoun Park

Across the street from Magoun Square, a green oasis beckons. This is Magoun Park. It’s easy to overlook amidst the bustle of Broadway and Medford Streets. But this small park holds a piece of Medford’s history. Magoun Park wasn’t always a place for recreation. The land was once part of a sprawling 71-acre farm. It belonged to the Magoun family, whose roots run deep in this area. John Calvin Magoun, the patriarch, wasn’t a Medford native. He was born in New Hampshire in 1797. He migrated to Somerville at the age of eighteen. He married into the prominent Adams family. They had deep ties to Somerville and even connections to the Tufts and Adams presidential families. The Adams-Magoun house, built in 1783, still stands on Broadway. It’s a testament to the family’s enduring presence. John Magoun wasn’t just a farmer. He was a prominent figure in the community. He served as an assessor, oversaw the poor, and even captained the local militia. He was present for Lafayette’s visit to Boston in 1825. He also attended the laying of the cornerstone for the Bunker Hill Monument. The Magoun family farm stretched from Broadway to the slopes of Winter Hill. It encompassed the land where Magoun Park now sits. Imagine children playing where cows once grazed. Envision families picnicking where fruit trees and nursery plants once flourished. The transformation from farmland to park reflects the changing landscape of Medford. Magoun Square, originally known simply as “The Corner,” was a popular stop for travelers. Watering troughs and bars provided refreshment. John Magoun’s son-in-law, Henry Woods, solidified the Magoun name. As an official with the West End Street Railway Company, he ensured the name appeared on streetcar signs. And so, “The Corner” became Magoun Square. And the family farm, in part, became Magoun Park. So next time you pass this green space, remember John Calvin Magoun. Remember the farm that once thrived here. Appreciate this small park. It’s a quiet reminder of Medford’s rich past.