Timeline of Somerville, Massachusetts facts for kids

Welcome to the exciting history of Somerville, a city in Massachusetts, USA! This timeline will show you how Somerville grew from a small settlement into the vibrant place it is today. Get ready to explore key moments, important buildings, and how people shaped this city over hundreds of years.

Early Days: Before the 1800s

• 1630 – The area that would become Somerville was first settled as part of Charlestown.
• 1631 – John Winthrop, a colonial governor, was given a large piece of land. It was called Ten Hills Farm.
• 1703 – A windmill was likely built around this time.
• 1714 – The Peter Tufts House was built. It's one of the oldest homes around!
• 1756 – The Powder House began to be used. This building stored gunpowder.
• 1776 – During the American Revolution, the Grand Union Flag was raised. This happened at Continental Army forts on Prospect Hill.

The 1800s: Growing Up

Early 1800s to 1860s

• 1803 – The Middlesex Canal started working. This canal helped transport goods.
• 1804 – The Old Cemetery was created.
• 1821 – A company called Middlesex Bleachery and Dye Works was started.
• 1834 – The Ursuline Convent Riots happened. This was a sad event where a convent was burned down.
• 1835 – The Boston & Lowell Railroad began operating. Trains were a big deal for travel and trade!
• 1842
  • Somerville officially separated from Charlestown. It became its own town!
  • The population was 1,013 people.
• 1844 – The First Congregational Society was formed.
• 1851 – American Tube Works, a factory, was established.
• 1852
  • The Somerville City Hall building was completed.
  • Somerville High School opened its doors.
• 1854
  • Tufts College (now Tufts University) opened. It's a famous school!
  • Union Glass Company was started. They made beautiful glass items.
• 1856 – The Round House was built. It was a unique building for trains.
• 1864 – A circulating library (where you could borrow books) opened.

Late 1800s: Becoming a City

• 1870
  • The Somerville Journal newspaper began publishing.
  • A railroad connection was made through West Somerville.
• 1871 – Somerville officially became a city!
• 1872
  • The Somerville city government started.
  • The city adopted its own official seal design.
  • The population grew to about 16,000 people.
• 1873 – The Public Library was established.
• 1876 – The Somerville Citizen newspaper began.
• 1890
  • The Broadway Winter Hill Congregational Church was built.
  • The population reached 40,152 people.
• 1891 – Somerville Hospital was founded. It provided healthcare for the community.
• 1892 – McLean Hospital moved to Belmont.
• 1898 – The Somerville Historical Society was created. They work to preserve the city's history.
• 1899 – The First Unitarian Church was built.
• 1900 – The population was 61,643.

The 1900s: Modern Times

• 1901 – Lyndell's Bakery moved to Somerville. It's still a popular spot today!
• 1903 – The Prospect Hill Monument was built.
• 1909 – The West Somerville Branch Public Library opened.
• 1910 – The population was 77,236.
• 1914
  • The Somerville Theatre was built. It's a great place to watch movies and shows.
  • The main Public Library building was constructed.
• 1915 – A special event called the Pageant of World Peace took place.
• 1916 – The First Universalist Church was built.
• 1922 – Somerville celebrated its 50th anniversary as a city. The population was around 95,000.
• 1928 – The Northern Artery road was built.
• 1935 – The United States Post Office–Somerville Main building was constructed.
• 1936 – The Mystic Valley Parkway road was built.
• 1941 – The Rosebud (diner), a classic diner, was built.
• 1972 – The city seal was redesigned.
• 1973 – Steve's Ice Cream opened. It became very famous!
• 1980 – Assembly Square Mall opened, offering many shops.
• 1981
  • Somerville became a "sister city" with Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. This means they share a special friendship.
  • Bertucci's pizzeria opened.
• 1983 – Somerville Community Access Television was founded.
• 1984 – The Davis (MBTA station) opened. This brought subway service to the area.
• 1985 – Alewife Linear Park was created.
• 1987 – The Brickbottom Artists Association became active.
• 1988 – The Somerville Museum opened.
• 1990 – Mike Capuano became mayor of Somerville.
• 1991 – Candlewick Press, a children's book publisher, was established.
• 1998 – The city's website went online.
• 1999
  • Dorothy Kelly Gay became mayor.
  • The Leverett Circle Connector Bridge opened.
  • Somerville Open Studios began. This event lets artists show their work.
  • Mike Capuano became a U.S. representative for Massachusetts.

The 2000s: New Millennium

• 2002 – P.A.'s Lounge opened.
• 2004 – Joseph Curtatone became mayor.
• 2005
  • Union Square Main Streets was organized.
  • The Union Square farmers' market began.
  • The Harry Potter Alliance, a fan organization, was headquartered in Somerville.
• 2006 – The Honk! music festival began. It's a lively street music festival!
• 2009 – Somerville became a sister city with Tiznit, Morocco.
• 2010
  • The population was 75,754.
  • Somerville became a sister city with Nordeste, Portugal.
• 2014 – Legoland opened in Assembly Row.
• 2022 – Katjana Ballantyne became mayor.

Images for kids

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  Somerville Circulating Library, Milk Street, 1860s

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  Somerville Carriage Repository, established 1866 (advertisement from 1883)

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  Map of Somerville, 1884

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  Union Glass Co., established 1854 (cover of catalog, around 1911)

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  Somerville Pageant of World Peace, July 1915