Sullivan Square

From a bustling transportation hub to a notorious traffic circle, Sullivan Square has seen it all. Right here at this convergence of roads and rails, history whispers tales of canals, trains, and elevated railways. Sullivan Square, named after James Sullivan, an early 19th-century Massachusetts governor, wasn’t always the traffic circle we see today. It started as a key point along the Middlesex Canal, connecting Medford to Charlestown. Imagine barges laden with goods traversing the waters where cars now circle endlessly. This canal played a vital role in the early 1800s. The square’s namesake, Governor Sullivan, was instrumental in organizing the canal. He envisioned a thriving trade route, and for a time, Sullivan Square lived up to that vision. But progress, as it often does, brought change. The arrival of the Boston and Lowell Railroad in 1835, followed by the Boston and Maine Railroad, marked a shift in transportation. These railways, along with the later Grand Junction Railroad, offered faster, more efficient travel. This spelled the end for the Middlesex Canal, which closed in 1853. Sullivan Square, however, remained a vital transportation hub. Horse-drawn streetcars arrived in 1858, later replaced by electric versions. Then came the grand Boston Elevated Railway (BERy) in 1901. Its impressive terminus at Sullivan Square was a symbol of the modern age. A magnificent enclosed station graced this square, connecting the Charlestown Elevated section to the rest of the city. In the mid-20th century, the square underwent a major transformation. A large traffic circle replaced the old road junction. Underpasses and overpasses were constructed in an attempt to alleviate the growing congestion. But this wasn’t without its challenges. Cave-ins and collapses plagued the project, delaying its completion until 1953. The elevated railway, once a symbol of progress, eventually became a victim of deferred maintenance and salt air corrosion. The noise complaints didn’t help either. In 1975, the Orange Line was relocated, and the grand old station was demolished. Interstate 93 rose overhead, further changing the landscape of Sullivan Square. More recently, the overpass was removed due to deterioration. The area continues to evolve. With the construction of the Encore Boston Harbor casino, improvements have been made to the rotary and surrounding roads. Plans are in the works to eventually eliminate the rotary entirely, replacing it with a more traditional street grid. So, as you stand here in Sullivan Square, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. From a canal to a railway hub, from an elevated station to a traffic circle, this square embodies the constant evolution of transportation and urban development.