Ever wondered why a T station bears the name of a hospital? The answer lies here at Charles/MGH station.
Charles/MGH station is a vital rapid transit stop on the MBTA Red Line. It serves the West End neighborhood of Boston. This station sits elevated above Charles Circle. It is located on the east end of the Longfellow Bridge. Charles/MGH station got its name from Charles Circle. The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is also nearby.
Let’s dive into the story of Charles/MGH station. The Cambridge Subway opened in 1912. This line ran in the median of the Longfellow Bridge. But originally, there was no station serving the area. This was to speed up travel times.
Planning for an infill station at Charles Street started in 1924. After some delays, construction finally began in 1931. The Art Deco Charles station opened on February 27, 1932. It featured a cast stone headhouse. Copper sheathed the platforms.
In 1961, a pedestrian tunnel was replaced by footbridges. Then in 1973, the station was renamed Charles/MGH. This honored the adjacent Massachusetts General Hospital.
From 2003 to 2007, Charles/MGH station underwent a major renovation. The aim was to make it fully accessible. A new glass entrance replaced the original structure.
Charles/MGH station has two side platforms. They are elevated above ground. A glass-walled headhouse sits inside Charles Circle. The station entrance is on the west side of the fare lobby. Crosswalks connect it to the sidewalks. The fare lobby features a curved glass facade. Much of the platforms have copper windscreens.
Charles station was designed by H. Parker. He worked in the office of Richard Clipston Sturgis. The headhouse structure had a steel frame. It was clad in cast stone. The design was Art Deco/Art Moderne. It featured decorative pilasters and a chevron panel.
Interestingly, a 14-story Art Deco tower was proposed over the station. But it was never built. Imagine how that would have changed the skyline.
In 1961, the MTA introduced modified express service. Every other train bypassed Charles station. This was stopped later that year.
In 1975, three southbound trains collided near Charles/MGH station. 132 passengers were injured.
The platforms were extended in 1982. This allowed for the use of six-car trains.
During the 2003-2007 reconstruction, temporary staircases were opened. The pedestrian bridges were removed. The original headhouses were torn down. The new glass headhouse was built slightly to the east.
In June 2007, community art from recycled materials was installed. It was placed in the fare lobby.
Looking ahead, there are plans for further improvements. Design work began in 2019 to rehabilitate the viaduct spans. This project is currently on hold.
The proposed Red Blue Connector aims to extend the Blue Line to Charles/MGH. This would provide a direct transfer between the Red and Blue lines.
So, as you stand here at Charles/MGH station. Remember its evolution. From its Art Deco beginnings to its modern accessibility. It’s a testament to Boston’s transit history. And a vital link in the city’s transportation network.