The Port, Cambridge facts for kids
The Port is a busy neighborhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It used to be known as Area 4. This area is located between Central Square, Inman Square, and MIT. It is bordered by Massachusetts Avenue to the south, Prospect Street to the west, Hampshire Street to the north, and the Grand Junction Railroad tracks to the east. The Port is a lively place where about 7,000 people live.
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The Port: How it Got its Name
Long ago, in the late 1800s, the Charles River had marshy areas. These wet, salty lands reached into what is now The Port. People started to fill in these marshes. This process is called land reclamation. It created more land for Cambridge to grow eastward. Because this area used to be right by the river, people started calling it the "Old Port" or simply "the Port." The eastern part of The Port includes Portland Street. Its northern industrial area has the end of the Broad Canal, which connects to the Charles River.
For a long time, this neighborhood was officially called "Area 4." This name came from how the city divided Cambridge for the 1950 census. The old Cambridgeport neighborhood was split into two zones: Area 4 and Area 5. Area 5 kept the name "Cambridgeport" because it still reached the Charles River. Area 4 was inland and never got an official name from the city planners. However, people who lived there and other Cambridge residents continued to call it "the Port."
Community groups worked hard to get the name "The Port" officially recognized. They asked the Cambridge City Manager in 2003 and again in 2013. Finally, on October 19, 2015, the city announced a big change. Area 4 would officially become "The Port." This decision was made after the community voted on the name. Vice-Mayor Dennis Benzan, who grew up in Area 4, played a key role in making sure the community chose the new name.
The Port: Home to Cool Inventions and Industries
The Port has been a place where many important things happened. It was a hub for new ideas and big businesses.
The Sewing Machine Story
Did you know the sewing machine was invented here? Elias Howe, Jr. created the first working sewing machine in 1846. He built it at 55 Cherry Street in The Port. His invention was so important that he received a patent for it. Later, Isaac Singer, who made sewing machines very popular, had to pay Elias Howe for using his ideas.
The First Phone Call
The Port was also the site of a historic telephone call. On October 9, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson had the first two-way telephone conversation. Watson was in an office in The Port. Bell was in an office in Boston. A special plaque at 710 Main Street marks this amazing event.
Sweet History: The Candy Capital
The Port was once a major center for making candy in the United States! The very first candy factory in Cambridge started here in 1826. Robert Douglass opened it on Windsor Street. Many famous candy companies were located in The Port:
- Cambridge Brands: They still make delicious Junior Mints on Main Street today.
- Squirrel Brands company: They made Squirrel nut caramel candies. A band even named themselves after this candy!
- Necco: The New England Confectionery Company had a huge factory. It was once the largest candy factory in the world!
The Port: Famous People and Places
The Port is home to interesting places and has been home to important people.
Cool Places to Visit
- The Garment District: This is a well-known store that sells new and used clothes. It's famous throughout the Boston area, especially for its "Dollar a Pound" section. In 2004-2005, the store was almost replaced by new apartments. But the Area 4 neighborhood group helped save it. The city even gave the building a special historical protection.
- Squirrel Brand Park: This park is located where the old Squirrel Brand candy factory used to be. It's a nice green space for the community.
Important People from The Port
- Clement G. Morgan: (1859–1929) Clement Morgan was a very important person. He was the first Black City Councilor in Cambridge. He also helped start the Niagara Movement. This group was an early version of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Morgan grew up on Columbia Street and Prospect Street in The Port. Morgan Park in the neighborhood is named after him to honor his contributions.
- Denise Simmons: Denise Simmons used to be the Mayor of Cambridge. She lives in The Port and is seen as a strong voice for the neighborhood in the city government.
The Port: Who Lives Here?
The Port is a diverse and welcoming neighborhood. In 2005, about 7,263 people lived in The Port. They lived in about 2,523 homes. The neighborhood is made up of people from many different backgrounds. In 2000, the population included people who identified as White, Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, and other races. This mix of cultures makes The Port a vibrant place to live.
