Commonwealth Avenue (Boston) facts for kids
Commonwealth Avenue in 2006
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| Length | 11.0 mi (17.7 km) |
|---|---|
| West end |  Route 30 in Auburndale |
| Major junctions |
 Route 16 in West NewtonInvalid type: US in Allston |
| To | Arlington Street in Back Bay |
| North | Marlborough Street (Back Bay) |
| South | Newbury Street (Back Bay) |
Commonwealth Avenue is a big street in Boston and Newton, Massachusetts. People who live there often call it Comm Ave. It starts near the Boston Public Garden and goes west through many neighborhoods. These include Back Bay, Kenmore Square, and areas around Boston University. It continues through Allston, Brighton, and Chestnut Hill. In Newton, it becomes part of Route 30 and crosses the Charles River.
Contents
Exploring Commonwealth Avenue
A Green Space in the City
In the Back Bay area, Commonwealth Avenue is like a beautiful parkway. It has a wide, grassy area in the middle called the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. This green space is decorated with statues and memorials. It's also a small but important part of the Emerald Necklace, a chain of parks in Boston. The mall connects the Boston Public Garden to the Fens.
Busy Boston University Area
When Commonwealth Avenue reaches Kenmore Square, the MBTA Green Line B branch train tracks rise above ground. The train runs down the middle of the road through the Boston University campus. This part of the avenue is very busy. It's a main route for students and locals.
This 1.5-mile stretch is full of life. You'll see many people walking, biking, and skateboarding. Cars, motorcycles, and buses also share the road. The Green Line trains run both ways here. There are nine MBTA Green Line stops along this section. These stops are very popular for getting around the university and nearby areas. Many Boston University students live close to these stops.
Newton's Tree-Lined Section
Further away from the city, in Newton, Commonwealth Avenue changes. Here, it has two roadways separated by a grassy area with trees. The south side has the main road for east-west traffic. The north side has a smaller "carriage road" for local access. This part of the road is known for its historic feel.
History of Comm Ave
Designing a Grand Street
The idea for the Commonwealth Avenue Mall came from Arthur Delevan Gilman. He was the person who designed this beautiful green space.
Streetcars and an Amusement Park
The Newton part of the road was built in 1895. It used to have a streetcar line running down the middle. To encourage people to use the streetcars, an amusement park and ballroom called Norumbega Park were built. This park was located at the end of the line, by the Charles River. Streetcar service stopped in 1930, and buses stopped running on Commonwealth Avenue in 1976.
Important Landmarks
The eastern part of the Newton section is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place with historical importance. The Commonwealth Avenue Mall itself was named a Boston Landmark in 1978. This recognizes its value as a historic and beautiful part of Boston.
Statues on the Mall
The Commonwealth Avenue Mall is home to many interesting statues. They honor important people and events. Here are some of them, starting from the Boston Public Garden and moving west:
- Alexander Hamilton: He was an important leader in early American history. He helped write the Federalist Papers. This was the first statue placed on the mall in 1865.
- Statue of John Glover: This statue shows John Glover, a soldier from the American Revolutionary War. It was put up in 1875.
- Bust of Patrick Collins: This statue honors Patrick Andrew Collins, who used to be the mayor of Boston.
- The Vendome Memorial: This memorial remembers nine firefighters. They sadly died in the 1972 Hotel Vendome fire.
- William Lloyd Garrison: He was an abolitionist, meaning he worked to end slavery. He was also a journalist.
- Samuel Eliot Morison: He was a famous historian who wrote about naval history.
- The Boston Women's Memorial: This special memorial has statues of three important women: Abigail Adams, Lucy Stone, and Phillis Wheatley. They all played big roles in American history.
- Domingo Sarmiento: He was a former president of Argentina. This statue was a gift from the Argentine government.
- Leif Erikson: He was a Norse explorer. Many believe he was the first European to discover Newfoundland.
Images for kids
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Hamilton Statue, 19th century
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Statue of Samuel Eliot Morison on the mall, 2006
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The Commonwealth Avenue Mall looking west towards the Alexander Hamilton statue, 2006
Gallery
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c. 1881
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c. 1886
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Vendome, 19th century
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1901
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Overview of Commonwealth Ave., Brighton, 2007
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Overview, near Kenmore Square, 2007
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Comm. Ave, near Boston University, 2009
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Near Massachusetts Avenue, 2010
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Commonwealth Avenue Mall with statue of William Lloyd Garrison, 2013
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Phillis Wheatley detail of Boston Women's Memorial, 2013
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Magnolias, Commonwealth Avenue, 2013
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Brownstones
- Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee, Commonwealth Avenue Mall: A Walking Tour, pamphlet.
