Located just two miles from Boston and linked by two bridges is Cambridge, Massachusetts. Home to the world famous Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Lesley College, Cambridge is a vibrant and interesting city full of history, art and academia.
What you may not know about Cambridge is that it is often referred to as “A City of Squares.” There are six places in Cambridge, and here is information about each of them and where they are located in Cambridge:
1.Central Square. This is an area in Cambridge centered around the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Prospect Street, and Western Avenue. Lafayette Square, formed by the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Columbia Street, Sidney Street, and Main Street, is also considered part of the Central Square area.
2.Inman Square. This is a neighborhood in Cambridge. It is located north of Central Square, at the junction of Cambridge, Hampshire and Inman Streets, near the border between Cambridge and Somerville.
3.Kendall Square. This is a neighborhood in Cambridge, with the “square” itself at the intersection of Main Street, Broadway, Wadsworth Street, and Third Street. It can also refer to the large business district that lies east of Portland Street, northwest of the Charles River, north of MIT, and south of Binney Street.
4. Harvard Square. This is a large triangular area in the center of Cambridge, at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street, and John F. Kennedy Street. Adjacent to the historic heart of Harvard University, Harvard Yard, and the Square (as it is called locally) functions as a shopping center for Harvard students, as well as residents of West Cambridge and the inner western suburbs. and North Boston.
5. Porter Square. This is a Cambridge neighborhood located around the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Somerville Avenue, between Harvard and Davis Squares. The Porter Square station serves both the MBTA Red Line and the Commuter Rail. The station is approximately 200 yards from the Somerville border, so the inhabitants of “Porter Square” include residents of both cities.
6. Lechmere Square. (pronounced “leech-meer”) This plaza is located at the intersection of Cambridge St. and First St. in East Cambridge. It was originally named after colonial-era landowner Richard Lechmere, a loyalist who returned to England at the start of the American Revolution. Their land was later seized by the new US government. The coast is shown as “Lechmere’s Point” on Revolutionary War maps and was the landing point for British troops en route to the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Each square has its own unique personality, and you will often find people partial and loyal to one square. They tend to socialize, shop, and “hang out” in their favorite plaza. However, when you visit Cambridge, Massachusetts, don’t hesitate to enjoy the uniqueness of all its squares and what they have to offer. They all have art, restaurants, music venues, and of course interesting people from all over the world. Maybe you too will walk away with your own favorite square in Cambridge!