“Tory Row” rings a bell does it not? That was the old moniker for this portion of the Watertown Path. This brings us to Old Cambridge. It is a residential neighborhood with a rich history dating back to colonial times. Old Cambridge sits just west of Harvard Square. It includes Brattle Street properties west of Mason Street up to Fresh Pond Parkway. Mason Street and Elmwood Avenue are also part of Old Cambridge. Nearby properties on Craigie Street add to its charm.
Old Cambridge follows the old Watertown Path. This path was an early colonial road. It may have followed a Native American trail. During the American Revolution, the area became known as Tory Row. Many grand mansions here belonged to Loyalists. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it remained fashionable. It now features architecturally significant buildings.
The Old Cambridge Historic District boasts five National Historic Landmarks. They include Elmwood and the Reginald A. Daly House. The Oliver Hastings House also stands here. Do not forget the Mary Fiske Stoughton House and the Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site. Several other houses in the district are on the National Register. The Cambridge Historical Society is in the Hooper-Lee Nichols House. You will find it at 159 Brattle Street. This house is also NRHP-listed.
In 1983, the district earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Old Cambridge covers 52 acres. That is about 21 hectares. The district has 215 contributing buildings. It also has one contributing site. Old Cambridge connects with other historic districts. These include Cambridge Common, Ash Street, and Berkeley Street.
When the Puritans arrived at the Shawmut Peninsula in 1630, a smaller group came here. They founded Newe Towne. Cambridge got its current name in 1638. In the 17th and 18th centuries, most people lived around Cambridge Common and Harvard College.
In 1846, Old Cambridge joined Cambridgeport, East Cambridge, and North Cambridge to form the city of Cambridge. Each neighborhood had its unique identity and demographic makeup. In the 1980s, Old Cambridge became a haven for immigrants. The Old Cambridge Baptist Church became a center for the asylum movement. It welcomed refugees from war-torn El Salvador and Guatemala. Centro Presente, a refugee aid group, worked with locals. They sought to designate Cambridge as a sanctuary city.
As you wander through Old Cambridge, imagine the stories within these walls. From its colonial roots to its role in the American Revolution, this neighborhood has witnessed centuries of change. It has evolved into a place of architectural beauty and cultural significance. Old Cambridge stands as a testament to Cambridge’s enduring legacy. It is a treasure trove of history waiting to be discovered.