Watertown Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Watertown Square
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Neighborhood and road intersection
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Looking southwest across the square from the corner of Mount Auburn Street and North Beacon Street (2019)
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| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| City | Watertown |
Watertown Square is a busy neighborhood in Watertown, Massachusetts. It's a central spot where several important streets meet. These include Main Street, North Beacon Street (both part of U.S. Route 20), and Galen Street and Mount Auburn Street (both part of State Route 16).
The square is very close to the Charles River. The Watertown Bridge on Galen Street crosses this river. You can also find the Armenian Library and Museum of America right in the square. Just a short walk (about 1000 feet or 300 meters) to the west is the Watertown Dam.
Public transportation is easy here! MBTA bus routes 59 and 71 end their journeys on the west side of the square. Route 70 also stops on the north side.
Contents
History of Watertown Square
Watertown Square has an interesting past, especially with its connection to trains.
Early Train Service
The Watertown Branch Railroad started running through Watertown Square in 1847. This made it easier for people to travel to and from the area. However, passenger train service on this line stopped on July 9, 1938. The second set of tracks was removed by early 1940.
Changes to the Railroad
The middle part of the train line, which went through Watertown Square, was no longer used after 1960. The old Watertown station building was used by a lumber company for a while, but it was later taken down.
Future Plans for the Square
In September 2023, the City of Watertown announced exciting new plans for the square. The city wants to change the layout of the square to create more public spaces. They also want to support new housing developments in the area.
Part of the plan involves moving Charles River Road and Riverside Street slightly to the east. This will create a more standard four-way intersection where Main/North Beacon and Galen/Mount Auburn streets meet. Also, MBTA bus routes 59 and 71 will be extended to Watertown Yard. The Columbus Delta park will also be made bigger, taking over the area where the buses currently stop. These changes aim to make the square even better for everyone!
