| 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: 3 (One Headquarters building and 2 sub-stations)
Number of Police Officers (At Full Staff): 120
Number of Auxiliary Police Officers: 35
Number of Hills: 7
Number of hospitals: 2
Major Arteries: Route #16, Route #28, Route #38, Interstate #93.
The original choice for the city's new name after breaking away from Charlestown was "Walford", after the
first settler of Charlestown. However this name was not adopted by the separation committee. The name
Somerville has no specific meaning, but was chosen simply because it sounded "fanciful".
In 2008, Somerville was named as one of the top 100 communities to raise children.
In November 1997, the Utne Reader named Davis Square in Somerville one of the 15 hippest places to live
in the U.S. The article illustrates how Somerville is in an era of socio-economic change shared by many
other working-class and industrial areas of the country.
Everyone's favorite sandwich spread, "Fluff", was invented in Somerville. It's still in Massachusetts as it
continues to be manufactured in Lynn, MA.
In 1914, the city became the home of the original Economy Grocery Store, which would later become the
Stop & Shop grocery chain.
Barack Obama, (while attending Harvard Law School) President of the United States
Michael E. Capuano, U.S Congressman, former Somerville Mayor
Howie Long, NFL player, member Football Hall of Fame (b. 1960)
Isaac Asimov, science fiction author, while a professor at Boston University in the 1950s (1920-1992)
Paul Sorrento, Major League Baseball player from 1989 to 1999
Hank Hansen, raiser of the first flag in the Battle of Iwo Jima
Bobby "Boris" Pickett, composer "Monster Mash" (1938-2007)
George Dilboy, recipient of Medal of Honor (1896-1918)
Hal Clement, science fiction author
Linda Fisher, artist
Nick Gomez, television and movie director
Henry Kimball Hadley, composer and conductor
Alan Hovhaness, composer
James "Buddy" McLean, gangster
Alex Rocco actor, gangster
Keri Rodrigues, radio and television personality, social commentator
Howie Winter, gangster
Robert A. Bruce, academic cardiologist (1916-2004)
Richard Carle, comic film actor (1871–1941)
Gosder Cherilus, starting offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions football team
Hal Clement, science fiction author (1922-2003)
Antje Duvekot, singer/songwriter
Nick Gomez, television and movie director (b. 1963)
Arthur Skinny Graham, Boston Red Sox outfielder (1909-1967)
Henry Kimball Hadley, composer and conductor (1871-1937)
Alan Hovhaness, composer (1911-2000)
Pagan Kennedy, author
Moses E. Kiley, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Milwaukee
Jennifer Kimball, singer/songwriter
Claire Messud, novelist
Connie Morella, former U.S. Representative from Maryland
Randall Munroe, creator of xkcd
Howard Petrie, actor (1906-1968)
Harry Nelson Pillsbury, chess champion (1872-1906)
Archibald Query, inventor of Marshmallow Fluff
Lloyd Schwartz, poet, scholar and critic (b. 1941)
John Shea, playwright (b. 1964)
Daniel C. Stillson [8], inventor of the Stillson pipe wrench, (1830-1899)
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: 3 (One Headquarters building and 2 sub-stations)
Number of Police Officers (At Full Staff): 120
Number of Auxiliary Police Officers: 35
Number of Hills: 7
Number of hospitals: 2
Major Arteries: Route #16, Route #28, Route #38, Interstate #93.
The original choice for the city's new name after breaking away from Charlestown was "Walford", after the
first settler of Charlestown. However this name was not adopted by the separation committee. The name
Somerville has no specific meaning, but was chosen simply because it sounded "fanciful".
In 2008, Somerville was named as one of the top 100 communities to raise children.
In November 1997, the Utne Reader named Davis Square in Somerville one of the 15 hippest places to live
in the U.S. The article illustrates how Somerville is in an era of socio-economic change shared by many
other working-class and industrial areas of the country.
Everyone's favorite sandwich spread, "Fluff", was invented in Somerville. It's still in Massachusetts as it
continues to be manufactured in Lynn, MA.
In 1914, the city became the home of the original Economy Grocery Store, which would later become the
Stop & Shop grocery chain.
Barack Obama, (while attending Harvard Law School) President of the United States
Michael E. Capuano, U.S Congressman, former Somerville Mayor
Howie Long, NFL player, member Football Hall of Fame (b. 1960)
Isaac Asimov, science fiction author, while a professor at Boston University in the 1950s (1920-1992)
Paul Sorrento, Major League Baseball player from 1989 to 1999
Hank Hansen, raiser of the first flag in the Battle of Iwo Jima
Bobby "Boris" Pickett, composer "Monster Mash" (1938-2007)
George Dilboy, recipient of Medal of Honor (1896-1918)
Hal Clement, science fiction author
Linda Fisher, artist
Nick Gomez, television and movie director
Henry Kimball Hadley, composer and conductor
Alan Hovhaness, composer
James "Buddy" McLean, gangster
Alex Rocco actor, gangster
Keri Rodrigues, radio and television personality, social commentator
Howie Winter, gangster
Robert A. Bruce, academic cardiologist (1916-2004)
Richard Carle, comic film actor (1871–1941)
Gosder Cherilus, starting offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions football team
Hal Clement, science fiction author (1922-2003)
Antje Duvekot, singer/songwriter
Nick Gomez, television and movie director (b. 1963)
Arthur Skinny Graham, Boston Red Sox outfielder (1909-1967)
Henry Kimball Hadley, composer and conductor (1871-1937)
Alan Hovhaness, composer (1911-2000)
Pagan Kennedy, author
Moses E. Kiley, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Milwaukee
Jennifer Kimball, singer/songwriter
Claire Messud, novelist
Connie Morella, former U.S. Representative from Maryland
Randall Munroe, creator of xkcd
Howard Petrie, actor (1906-1968)
Harry Nelson Pillsbury, chess champion (1872-1906)
Archibald Query, inventor of Marshmallow Fluff
Lloyd Schwartz, poet, scholar and critic (b. 1941)
John Shea, playwright (b. 1964)
Daniel C. Stillson [8], inventor of the Stillson pipe wrench, (1830-1899)
Prospect Hill Tower
Quick Facts
Famous people from Somerville and notable residents
Did you know.......