| Somerville Auxiliary Police Department Public Safety Building 220 Washington Street Somerville, Massachusetts 02143 |
About Somerville
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Somerville was first settled in 1630 and was officially incorporated as a town in 1842. In
1872 Somerville was incorporated as a City. Traffic on the Middlesex Canal began its
famous route from the mouth of the Charles River in Charlestown (now Boston) to Lowell
going through East Somerville, where several historical markers can be discovered today.
Historically Somerville encompassed many of the less desirable railway and industrial
lands squeezed between the Charles River to the southwest and the Mystic River to the
northeast. For all its problems, Somerville's late 1800s and early 1900s industrial
revolution left behind a rich historical record of Sanborn Maps, apparently invented in
Somerville in 1867, and subsequently used for fire insurance appraisal across the USA. The
delicate, detailed original Sanborn Maps are on display at the main branch of the Somerville
Public Library.
One of the earliest American flags was raised on Prospect Hill, above Union Square, on
January 1, 1776.
Today, Somerville is an eclectic mix of blue-collar families, young professionals, college
students and recent immigrants from countries as diverse as El Salvador, Haiti, and Brazil.
It is known for its large number of squares, which help mark neighborhood boundaries
while also featuring bustling business and entertainment centers. Among the most active
today are Davis Square, Union Square, Ball Square, Teele Square and Magoun Square.
The City of Somerville is governed by a Mayor and an eleven member Board of Aldermen.
The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the city, serves on the School Committee,
prepares the annual budget and performs a host of other civic duties. The Board of Aldermen
hold meetings twice a month to discuss city issues and address any new proposals. They
also vote on such matters as the budget and bond expenditures. Public meetings are held
frequently to discuss relevant issues and craft common solutions.
Settled: 1630
Incorporated a town: 1842
Incorporated a City: 1872
Somerville's Sister City: Gaeta, Italy
Number of Elementary & Jr. High Schools (Public and private): 15
Number of Vocational Schools: 1
Number of High Schools: 1
Number of Parks: 35
Number of Fire stations: 5
Number of Firefighters (At full staff): 156
Number of Auxiliary Firefighters:
Number of police stations: 1
Number of Police Officers (At Full Staff): 120
Number of Auxiliary Police Officers: 30
Number of Hills: 7
Number of hospitals: 2
Major Arteries: Route #16, Route #28, Route #38, Interstate #93.
Michael E. Capuano, U.S Congressman, former Somerville Mayor
Hal Clement, science fiction author
Linda Fisher, artist
Nick Gomez, television and movie director
Henry Kimball Hadley, composer and conductor
Alan Hovhaness, composer
Howie Long, Football Hall of Fame
Bobby "Boris" Pickett, composer "Monster Mash"
James "Buddy" McLean, gangster
Harry Nelson Pillsbury, chess champion
Alex Rocco actor, gangster
Keri Rodrigues, radio and television personality, social commentator
Paul Sorrento, Major League Baseball player from 1989 to 1999
Howie Winter, gangster
1872 Somerville was incorporated as a City. Traffic on the Middlesex Canal began its
famous route from the mouth of the Charles River in Charlestown (now Boston) to Lowell
going through East Somerville, where several historical markers can be discovered today.
Historically Somerville encompassed many of the less desirable railway and industrial
lands squeezed between the Charles River to the southwest and the Mystic River to the
northeast. For all its problems, Somerville's late 1800s and early 1900s industrial
revolution left behind a rich historical record of Sanborn Maps, apparently invented in
Somerville in 1867, and subsequently used for fire insurance appraisal across the USA. The
delicate, detailed original Sanborn Maps are on display at the main branch of the Somerville
Public Library.
One of the earliest American flags was raised on Prospect Hill, above Union Square, on
January 1, 1776.
Today, Somerville is an eclectic mix of blue-collar families, young professionals, college
students and recent immigrants from countries as diverse as El Salvador, Haiti, and Brazil.
It is known for its large number of squares, which help mark neighborhood boundaries
while also featuring bustling business and entertainment centers. Among the most active
today are Davis Square, Union Square, Ball Square, Teele Square and Magoun Square.
The City of Somerville is governed by a Mayor and an eleven member Board of Aldermen.
The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the city, serves on the School Committee,
prepares the annual budget and performs a host of other civic duties. The Board of Aldermen
hold meetings twice a month to discuss city issues and address any new proposals. They
also vote on such matters as the budget and bond expenditures. Public meetings are held
frequently to discuss relevant issues and craft common solutions.
Settled: 1630
Incorporated a town: 1842
Incorporated a City: 1872
Somerville's Sister City: Gaeta, Italy
Number of Elementary & Jr. High Schools (Public and private): 15
Number of Vocational Schools: 1
Number of High Schools: 1
Number of Parks: 35
Number of Fire stations: 5
Number of Firefighters (At full staff): 156
Number of Auxiliary Firefighters:
Number of police stations: 1
Number of Police Officers (At Full Staff): 120
Number of Auxiliary Police Officers: 30
Number of Hills: 7
Number of hospitals: 2
Major Arteries: Route #16, Route #28, Route #38, Interstate #93.
Michael E. Capuano, U.S Congressman, former Somerville Mayor
Hal Clement, science fiction author
Linda Fisher, artist
Nick Gomez, television and movie director
Henry Kimball Hadley, composer and conductor
Alan Hovhaness, composer
Howie Long, Football Hall of Fame
Bobby "Boris" Pickett, composer "Monster Mash"
James "Buddy" McLean, gangster
Harry Nelson Pillsbury, chess champion
Alex Rocco actor, gangster
Keri Rodrigues, radio and television personality, social commentator
Paul Sorrento, Major League Baseball player from 1989 to 1999
Howie Winter, gangster
Prospect Hill Tower
Quick Facts
Famous people from Somerville
