Newtonville, Massachusetts facts for kids

Mass Turnpike at Newtonville, showing supermarket with early use of air rights

Newtonville is one of the many neighborhoods, or villages, that make up the city of Newton in Massachusetts. It's a busy and friendly place located in the United States.

Exploring Newtonville

Newtonville is mostly a place where people live. It's split into two parts by a big road called the Massachusetts Turnpike and train tracks for the MBTA Commuter Rail. These run in a deep ditch, so bridges connect the two sides of the village.

Historic Spots and Cool Buildings

At the heart of Newtonville is the Newtonville Historic District. This area has many old and interesting buildings. Other places like the Washington Park Historic District also have special designs and stories. Many homes here are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important for their history or architecture.

One cool fact about Newtonville is the Star Market on Austin Street. This supermarket was built right over the Massachusetts Turnpike! This was one of the first times a project used "air rights" in the country. Air rights mean you can build in the space above someone else's property, like a road.

Shopping and Fun Places

Walnut Street is the main road in Newtonville. It's full of places to eat, like restaurants and bakeries, plus cafes, banks, and fitness centers. Just off Walnut Street is the Austin Street area. Here you can find a Starbucks, more restaurants, and even a toy store! This is also where you'll find the entrance to that supermarket built over the highway.

On the other side of the turnpike, Washington Street has even more places. You can find many restaurants, hair salons, and the biggest Post Office in Newton. There's also a Whole Foods supermarket there.

Schools and Parks

Newtonville is home to Newton North High School, which is one of the two high schools in the city. It also has Cabot Elementary School, one of the biggest elementary schools in Newton. In the southern part of the village, you can visit Bullough's Pond. Near the pond, there's a statue of Johnny Kelley. This spot marks the start of "Heartbreak Hill" for runners in the famous Boston Marathon.

New Developments

A new building project called Washington Place is almost finished in the center of Newtonville. It's at the corner of Walnut and Washington Street. This project will add 140 new homes, with 35 of them being affordable housing. It also includes office spaces and extra parking for local businesses and people living nearby.

Neighboring Villages

Newtonville shares its borders with four other villages in Newton. To the north is Nonantum, to the east is Newton Corner, to the south is Newton Centre, and to the west is West Newton. Even though Newton City Hall is in Newton Centre, it's very close to the edge of Newtonville.

Getting Around Newtonville

Newtonville is cut through by the Massachusetts Turnpike. This highway helps connect the village to other parts of Newton and to downtown Boston.

The village also has its own train station, Newtonville station, on the MBTA Commuter Rail's Framingham/Worcester Line. You can also get around using MBTA bus routes 59, 553, 554, and 556. Bus route 59 goes right down Walnut Street, taking you to places like Watertown Square, the Green Line D branch at MBTA Newton Highlands Station, and the Needham Line on the Commuter Rail.

Images for kids

Famous People From Newtonville

Many interesting people have lived in Newtonville:

• Alice Standish Allen (1907–2002) was the first female engineering geologist in North America. She studied how the Earth's surface and rocks affect building projects.
• Sheldon Brown (1944–2008) was a well-known bicycle mechanic, expert, and writer. He taught many people about bikes.
• William Claflin (1818–1905) served as the 27th Governor of Massachusetts.
• Charles Jay Connick (1875-1945) was a talented painter and designer of beautiful stained glass windows.
• Julian Eltinge (born William Julian Dalton; 1881–1941) was a famous actor.
• Josephine Hull (1877–1957) was an actress who won an Academy Award for her acting.
• Warren Huston (1913–1999) was a professional baseball player.
• Kurt Lewin (1890–1947) was a philosopher often called the "founder of social psychology." He studied how people behave in groups.
• Lillie Eginton Warren (1859–1926) was an educator, author, and even invented a reading method called Expression Reading.