Somerville

城市概覽

Somerville was once a part of Charlestown, and was used mostly as farmland and grazing pastures for hundreds of years. During the 18th century, Washington Street and Somerville Avenue came to be known as "Milk Row". These convenient roads were used by dairy farmers to transport wares into local Boston markets. The intersection of these roads created Union Square, a new and (relatively) bustling nexus for early settlers. Prior to the Revolutionary War, Somerville was no stranger to tyranny. Vast amounts of Massachusetts gunpowder were stored at the Old Powder House, which the British successfully raided in 1774. These hostilities caused great outrage among the colonial population, and led to a popular uprising. This event is considered by many historians to be the point where public sentiment within the colonies turned in favor of war with England. During wartime, the geography of Somerville's Prospect Hill made it a fitting place to command an army. Thanks mainly to its height and views of the area, it was fortified with Continental Army troops late in 1775 and became known as "The Citadel". To celebrate the new year, the Grand Union flag (a pre-cursor to the modern American flag) flew here for the first time January 1st, 1776. Many consider this to be the first official raising of any American flag. After the revolution Somerville continued to grow, separating from Charlestown in 1842 before incorporating as a city in 1872. Its population exploded as its economy changed from mostly agrarian to a diverse industrial base. Bricks, railroads, and meatpacking industries were all booming, and the new Ford assembly plant built in 1926 kept businesses in the black well into the 20th century. Just like Boston (and many other American cities), Somerville was on the downswing after WWII. Factories had closed, the trains stopped running, and anyone who could afford it fled for the suburbs. The blight continued for decades, until the first seeds of life began to return. During

如何抵達

Since Somerville is so tightly bound to Boston, please refer to the Get In and Get Around sections of that article for all the gory details. Somerville also shares several transit options with nearby Cambridge.

By public transit Somerville was long starved for rapid transit, but with the completion of the Green Line extension to Union and Medford/Tufts in 2022, this has started to change. In addition to Davis on the Red line, and Assembly on the Orange, the Green Line D branch runs to Union Square, and the whole E branch past Lechmere is within Somerville, except the terminus, which is in South Medford. Around the periphery, several other stations serve Somerville, if you don't mind a little walking. Harvard and Porter, both on the Red line are often convenient. Sullivan Square on the Orange line plays host to an array of buses, and Lechmere on the Green line is also a bus terminus as well as the start of the Green Line extensions. If you really want to explore the city, you'll need to get on the bus. Sullivan Square probably has the most options; the #89 and #101 run down Broadway, the #90 runs down Highland, and the #95 runs along the Mystic to Medford. The #85 and #91 run to Union Square from Sullivan and continue into Cambridge. If you're starting from Lechmere, the #87 continues past the Green Line's terminus in Union Square and travels along Somerville Ave. to Davis, and the #88 is the most frequent down Highland. On the off chance you're arriving on the Fitchburg Line of the Commuter Rail, it stops at Porter Station. It's much more convenient for you to get off here, rather than heading all the way downtown to North Station.

By car Driving to Somerville isn't totally insane, but traffic will be intense and parking will be limited. Davis Square in particular is notorious for its congestion. When you arrive at your destination, make sure to get your buddy's visitor parking pass. Without it you'll be ticketed for parking onstreet without a permit. You can

必看景點

Somerville doesn't really have any show-stopping "must see" sights. It's all about relaxing, taking your time, and letting the quirky character of the neighborhood soak in. For example you might see a few of the more than 200 backyard shrines, built to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary; often referred to as "Bathtub Marys". In Union Square, another walkable hotspot, you can find scores of whimsical benches painted by local artists.

1 Brickbottom Artists Association, 1 Fitchburg St (T: Lechmere), ☏ +1 617 776-3410. Gallery: Th-Sa noon-5PM. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Museum of Modern Renaissance, 115 College Ave (Powderhouse Square), ☏ +1 617 628-9303. Not really a museum, but sort of. Picture a gorgeous old building (once a Unitarian church) lived in by a Yoga-practicing artist couple, who often look inward for inspiration. Much of the work is influenced by Russian mythological and religious icons. No one's really sure exactly when it's open, so go poke your head in if you happen to be walking by. Truly one of a kind, and only in Somerville. (updated Jun 2017) 3 The Old Powder House, 850 Broadway (Powerhouse Square). 24 hours daily. This is the oldest stone building in Massachusetts, dating from around 1704. Once used to store colonial powder that would propel the muskets fired during the Revolutionary War. Free. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Prospect Hill Monument, 68 Munroe St (T: Union Square). 24 hours daily. Climb this tower for great views of Boston. Check out the slightly unfamiliar flag flying atop the structure. This was a Betsy Ross original; and on January 1, 1776 the tower was the location of the first American flag flown. (updated Jun 2017) 5 Somerville Museum, 1 Westwood Rd (T: Porter), ☏ +1 617 666-9810. Th 2-7PM, F 2-5PM, Sa noon-5PM. Volunteer run, visits are by appointment only. (updated Jun 2017)

體驗活動

Most tourists spend their time near Davis and Porter Squares, within walking distance of each other. Residents sometimes avoid those crowds by hitting their favorite spots in Union Square and the Winter Hill area. They're further from the T, but it's a great way to get out there and meet some real Somervillians.

1 Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave (T: Porter), ☏ +1 617 718-2191. M-F 8AM-10PM, Sa Su 8AM-11PM. (updated Jun 2017) 2 George Dilboy VFW Post 529, 371 Summer St (T: Davis), ☏ +1 617-666-8794. Plays host to various dances and acts, ranging from swing to electronica to circus and vaudeville. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Legoland Discovery Center, 598 Assembly Row (T: Assembly), toll-free: +1-866-228-6439. Su-Th 10AM-7PM, F 10AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-8PM. (updated Jun 2017) 4 The Rockwell, 255 Elm St (T: Davis), ☏ +1 617-684-5335. Plays, concerts, stand up, wrestling shows, the works really. Shares its entrance with Saloon. (updated Jun 2017) 5 Sacco's Bowl Haven (Flatbread Company), 45 Day St (T: Davis), ☏ +1 617-776-0552. M-Sa 9AM-midnight, Su 9AM-10:30PM. Once one of 18 independent candlepin bowling alleys, you can still roll the quirky little balls here to