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> East Cambridge: Traces of the Past

Introduction

East Cambridge has been seen since some of the earliest maps of Boston, it was noted on maps as Lechmere Point. However, Lechmere Point soon became known as East Cambridge. As early as 1836 the area had become a well-defined grid with some notable buildings. It is these buildings that began to frame the area into what it now is. Following the site through time, artifacts of the past begin to appear; the establishment of the Cambridge Historical Commission aids in preserving and educating about the history of the area. However, there is a much deeper story in East Cambridge, about the development of the area and this is still visible today when one carefully observes.

Trends, Artifacts, & Trends

In the early maps of East Cambridge, the Middlesex County Courthouse is very clearly indicated. This judicial building is the foundation and one of the most important artifacts in the area.

A sign from the Cambridge Historical Commision, dating the courthouse to 1814.

This building has also been commemorated by the Cambridge Historical Commission to signify its importance and also to inform of its age.

The steps leading up the Courthouse, this side is attached to the Clerk's Office and directly faces the jail.

The Courthouse has a very pronounced appearance and is still located well within the center of East Cambridge. The courthouse begins the story of East Cambridge and one of the first trends that is still visible, the high concentration of judicial buildings and law offices present in the area.

Another notable judicial building in the area is the Middlesex County Jail.

The Middlesex County Jail, from the steps leading up to the courthouse.

The building that currently stands was built in 1971; however, it has a much deeper meaning. The land on which it stands has been the Middlesex County Jail since the earliest map, of 1836, as well. The picture above also does a great job of showing the layers present in the area, the brickwork of the clerk office and the courthouse are strongly contrasted by the more modern jail building in the background. The jail is a very insightful building in the area; it offers a look at the past and the future of East Cambridge. A jail of some form has stood in this land for approximately 200 years. The jail and courthouse established a strong judicial presence in East Cambridge from very early on; coupled with the little access into Boston many of the people who worked in the judicial buildings lived in East Cambridge.

A detailed map of East Cambridge from 1854. THe map clearly indicates the Oldest Church of East Cambridge, the Courthouse, and the Jail.

Due to the high concentration of judicial jobs many of the citizens near the courthouse were often very wealthy. Because of the proximity to the courthouse, 3rd Street was established as an area for the wealthy. Even know this section is still for the wealthy, the trees outside are more well kept than those found anywhere else on my site, the brickwork on the outside of the building is constantly being maintained and reworked to keep that classical feel. Another thing about these buildings is how that the first floor on most of these buildings has been converted into law offices for the wealthy lawyers who live there. As the wealth in the area began to increase and accumulate the rest of my site began to change accordingly. A big notable change, which is now just an artifact of the past, is the East Cambridge Savings Bank. In some of the earlier maps a bank can be clearly seen where this bank now stands. However, from later maps and from visiting the site it is visible that this bank expanded in the mid 1900s. The bank building took over the building next to it and expanded itself. This shows the growing population, the increase in wealth in the area and therefore the need for a larger bank in the area. The increase in wealth can be attributed to the increase in law practice in the area from all of the judicial business that goes on.

The map on the left is a Sanborn map from 1900 and the one on the right is from 1934. Some of the notable changes here are the increase in bank size. and the disappearance of the two buildings in the corner.

The Sanborn maps depict the large increase in the bank building in just a few years. The map on the left side is a 1900 Sanborn map and the one on the right is a 1934 Sanborn map. The bank expands completely into the building next to it and a post office appears beside it as well by 1934. The two Sanborn maps above also show the beginning of the decline in religious buildings. The church that is on Sciarappa St. close to Cambridge St. becomes a vacant lot by 1934; this becomes very interesting due to the fact that this church had been there for very long seeing as how it is documented in the 1854 map above. The other church present in the two Sanborn maps is the Trinity Methodist Church located on the corner of Cambridge St. and 3rd St.; even though this church is present in both maps, at present day this corner is completely leveled out and a parking lot is put in its place. This trend for tearing down religious buildings affected much of my area; however, there is one exception, the Holy Cross Polish National Church located on 3rd St. and Thorndike St. right next to Quality Row. This church that is on 3rd St. and Thorndike is not only one of the last remaining religious buildings in East Cambridge, but it is also commemorated with a blue oval from the Cambridge Historical Commission.

OLDEST CHURCH IN EAST CAMBRIDGE

ERECTED BY THE THIRD CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY

EARLY MINISTER JAMES D. GREEN ELECTED

FIRST MAYOR OF CAMBRIDGE, 1846

BECAME HOLY CROSS NATIONAL

CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1940

1827.

The Cambridge Historical Commission sign notes that this is the oldest church in East Cambridge; this church is the only remaining religious building in my site. This artifact to the once religiously eclectic area is all that remains; however, its proximity to Quality Row might offer some insight into why it is so well preserved. The Cambridge Historical Commission blue ovals are found throughout much of East Cambridge. This trend that appeared in East Cambridge is set in place to help educate the people of the area about the historical significance of East Cambridge. This trend also serves as a source of pride for the local neighborhoods and community building. By acknowledging the historical significance of many of the local buildings and areas it becomes much easier to appreciate the more subtle details of the buildings and the area. Another similar trend is the naming of intersections after many veterans from the area. At most intersections in my site a sign will be placed claiming it as a square named after a veteran who used to live there. The most notable of these signs is the one located on Sciarappa St. and Cambridge St.

This sign located at the intersection of Cambridge Street and Sciarappa Street commemorates Nicholas Sciarappa, the person who 4th Street was renamed after..

The sign located at this intersection commemorates Nicholas Sciarappa, a private in World War II. However, this intersection is not named after him, 4th St. was renamed to Sciarappa St. in memory of him. If it was not for this plaque the origin of the name change from 4th St. to Sciarappa St. would be lost. This artifact not only shows that this street was not always named as such, but it also shows the community that is present in East Cambridge.

Conclusion

East Cambridge is now viewed by many as the area where the CambridgeSide Galleria exists, or as a quiet neighborhood with a few judicial buildings; however, by looking at the artifacts that remain and the trends still present it can very clearly be seen that East Cambridge hides a much more vivid history. The historical markers aid in trying to inform pedestrians of the historical significance of the area; using these signs, along with some observations in the area more of its history becomes apparent. By walking down Quality Row and then one of the neighborhood directly adjacent to it helps to accentuate what Quality Row really is. In a few years, when the jail is gone, more artifacts will be created that will again help to show its history, but it will keep getting deeper under all the new layers continually being added.

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