Ever heard of a neighborhood rising from farmland to a bustling hub? That’s East Somerville. Once just pastures for Charlestown cows, East Somerville transformed into a convenient escape from Boston’s city stresses.
East Somerville is one of Somerville’s oldest and most densely settled areas. Its history is rich and diverse. The neighborhood stretches east along Broadway. It goes from Massachusetts Route 28 to Sullivan Square and Interstate 93, right on the city line with Charlestown.
Now, picture Paul Revere thundering through East Somerville. It was part of his famous Midnight Ride in 1775. He rode from Charlestown down Washington Street. Then he went up Crescent Street, near today’s Holiday Inn. Revere then galloped onto Broadway. This route took him through Winter Hill to Medford. Each year, Patriots’ Day commemorates this ride. Somerville celebrates Revere’s historical journey through the town.
East Somerville was once home to Mt. Benedict. It was a drumlin formed by glacial movement. In 1824, Ursuline nuns founded a convent and school there. It overlooked the Mystic River. Initially, the school served daughters of Boston’s Protestant upper class. By 1834, only six of the 47 students were Catholic.
This blend of classes sparked tension. Anti-Catholic protestors from Boston crossed into Charlestown. In 1834, a Protestant mob burned the convent. Today, the area north of Broadway is still called ‘Nunnery Grounds’. It’s a subtle reminder of this event.
Development boomed in the 1840s and 1850s. Narrow streets and small lots became the norm. Greek Revival and Italianate houses sprung up. You can spot these architectural gems on Mt. Vernon, Mt. Pleasant, and Perkins Streets. Pearl Street, developed in the 1870s and 1880s, became a grand boulevard. Large family homes overlooked Boston. Many have since been subdivided.
East Somerville is also home to Mudflat. It is an arts center, and the Somerville East Branch Library. It provides quick access to the Assembly neighborhood. Assembly is transforming from an industrial area into a lively spot. It is embracing an innovative future.
Since the 1890s, immigrants have shaped East Somerville. Irish, Italian, French Canadian, and Greek communities thrived. Later, Cape Verdeans arrived in the 1960s and 1970s. They marked the start of a growing Portuguese-speaking community. From the mid-1970s, Haitians, Salvadorans, and Brazilians followed. People from other Latin American countries also came.
Affordable housing and good schools attracted them. Proximity to Boston was also a plus. Today, East Somerville stands as the densest and most diverse neighborhood in Somerville. Many Salvadorans hail from Yucuaiquín. They began arriving in the 1970s. They chose East Somerville because of friends and relatives.
Getting around East Somerville is easy. Several bus lines run through the area. These include the 80, 90, 91, and CT2. They connect to rapid transit lines. The Green Line Extension opened in 2022. It provides service to East Somerville station. The station sits on Washington Street near Joy Street.
Broadway, also known as East Broadway, serves as the neighborhood’s business hub. Restaurants, boutiques, and shops line the street. It also provides access to Route 28 and Interstate 93. East Somerville has evolved. It has transformed from farmland. It has overcome religious tensions. It has welcomed waves of immigrants. Today, it stands as a testament to diversity and resilience.