Area 4, Cambridge
Encyclopedia
Area 4 is one of the neighborhoods of Cambridge, Massachusetts
, roughly between Central Square
, Inman Square, and MIT. It is bounded on the south by Massachusetts Avenue and Main Street, on the west by Prospect Street, on the north by Hampshire Street, and on the east by the Grand Junction Railroad
tracks. Area 4 is a densely populated residential neighborhood with about 7,000 residents.
of Boston
's Back Bay and Charles River
marshes, brackish saltwater reached into what is now Area 4. After landfill allowed Cambridge to expand over the area now known as Cambridgeport
, this entire portion of Cambridge was known as the "Old Port". Cambridge's Old Port was split into two planning zones, Area 4 and Area 5, by the Cambridge Community Development department, with Massachusetts Avenue as the dividing line. The "Port" name went to Area 5, aka Cambridgeport, where the waterfront is currently located, and inland Area 4 lost its name and became known by its neighborhood planning designation (which is also its police zone).
Elias Howe, Jr. invented the sewing machine at 55 Cherry Street in Area 4 in 1846. Howe's was the first patented functional sewing machine. Isaac Singer, who made sewing machines commercially successful, was forced to pay patent royalties to Howe.
Area 4 was the site of the first reciprocal telephone conversation, which took place between Alexander Graham Bell
and Thomas A. Watson
on October 9, 1876. Watson was at an office in Area 4, and Bell was at an office on Cambridge Street in Boston
.
industry in the United States, beginning with the first candy factory in Cambridge, started by Robert Douglass in 1826 on Windsor Street. Notable Area 4 candy factories included Cambridge Brands, makers of Junior Mints
, still in operation on Main Street; the Squirrel Brands company, makers of Squirrel nut caramel
(the inspiration for the band name Squirrel Nut Zippers
); and Necco
(New England Confectionery Company), whose factory located across Massachusetts Avenue from today's Area 4 was the largest candy factory in the world.
Squirrel Brand Park is located on the grounds of the old Squirrel Brand candy factory.
Clement G. Morgan, 1859–1929, was the first black Cambridge City Councilor, and founded the Niagara Movement, a predecessor of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Morgan grew up on Columbia Street and on Prospect Street. Morgan Park in Area 4 is named after him.
Denise Simmons, former Mayor of Cambridge, lives in Area 4 and gets most of her support in elections from this neighborhood. She is seen as Area 4's representative to city government.
David Scondras, the first openly gay member of the Boston City Council and founder of Fenway Community Health Center in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, moved to Area 4 in early 2005 and became the neighborhood coalition's community organizer. He was forced to resign from this position after being arrested in Lowell, Mass. for soliciting sex from what he thought was an underaged boy he met over the internet. He later pleaded guilty to the charge and was required to register as a sex offender.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
, roughly between Central Square
Central Square (Cambridge)
Central Square is an area in Cambridge, Massachusetts centered on the junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Prospect Street and Western Avenue. , formed by the junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Columbia Street, Sidney Street and Main Street, is also considered a part of the Central Square area...
, Inman Square, and MIT. It is bounded on the south by Massachusetts Avenue and Main Street, on the west by Prospect Street, on the north by Hampshire Street, and on the east by the Grand Junction Railroad
Grand Junction Railroad
The Grand Junction Railroad is an 8.55-mile long railroad in the Boston, Massachusetts area, connecting the railroads heading west and north from Boston...
tracks. Area 4 is a densely populated residential neighborhood with about 7,000 residents.
History and name
Prior to the filling inLand reclamation
Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, is the process to create new land from sea or riverbeds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or landfill.- Habitation :...
of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
's Back Bay and Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
marshes, brackish saltwater reached into what is now Area 4. After landfill allowed Cambridge to expand over the area now known as Cambridgeport
Cambridgeport
Cambridgeport is one of the neighborhoods of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, the Charles River, the Grand Junction Railroad, and River Street. The neighborhood contains predominantly residential homes, many of the triple decker style common in New England...
, this entire portion of Cambridge was known as the "Old Port". Cambridge's Old Port was split into two planning zones, Area 4 and Area 5, by the Cambridge Community Development department, with Massachusetts Avenue as the dividing line. The "Port" name went to Area 5, aka Cambridgeport, where the waterfront is currently located, and inland Area 4 lost its name and became known by its neighborhood planning designation (which is also its police zone).
Elias Howe, Jr. invented the sewing machine at 55 Cherry Street in Area 4 in 1846. Howe's was the first patented functional sewing machine. Isaac Singer, who made sewing machines commercially successful, was forced to pay patent royalties to Howe.
Area 4 was the site of the first reciprocal telephone conversation, which took place between Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone....
and Thomas A. Watson
Thomas A. Watson
Thomas Augustus Watson was an assistant to Alexander Graham Bell, notably in the invention of the telephone in 1876. He is best known because his name was one of the first words spoken over the telephone. "Mr. Watson - Come here - I want to see you." were the first words Bell said using the new...
on October 9, 1876. Watson was at an office in Area 4, and Bell was at an office on Cambridge Street in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
Candy industry
Area 4 was the early hub of the candyCandy
Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water, to which flavorings and colorants are added...
industry in the United States, beginning with the first candy factory in Cambridge, started by Robert Douglass in 1826 on Windsor Street. Notable Area 4 candy factories included Cambridge Brands, makers of Junior Mints
Junior Mints
Junior Mints are a candy consisting of small rounds of mint filling inside a dark chocolate coating. Currently produced by Tootsie Roll Industries, the product is packaged in varying amounts from the fun-size box to the much larger 12.0 oz. box....
, still in operation on Main Street; the Squirrel Brands company, makers of Squirrel nut caramel
Squirrel nut caramel
A Squirrel Nut Caramel is a type of chewy caramel candy with pieces of peanuts mixed in. There are two variations: one has chocolate and one is caramel based.Chocolate Squirrel caramels were the original flavor of Squirrel Brands caramels...
(the inspiration for the band name Squirrel Nut Zippers
Squirrel Nut Zippers
The Squirrel Nut Zippers are a band formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina by James "Jimbo" Mathus , Katharine Whalen , Chris Phillips on drums, Don Raleigh on bass and sideman Ken Mosher....
); and Necco
NECCO
Necco , pronounced "neck-o", is the acronym for the New England Confectionery Company, a manufacturer of candy. It was created in 1901 by the merger of several small confectionery companies located in the Greater Boston area; since December 2007 Necco has been owned by American Capital.The company...
(New England Confectionery Company), whose factory located across Massachusetts Avenue from today's Area 4 was the largest candy factory in the world.
Notable people and places
The Garment District is a low cost new and used clothing store located in a historic building. It is widely known throughout the Boston area, especially its "Dollar a Pound" section. In 2004-2005 the store was threatened with redevelopment into condominiums, but was saved with help by the Area 4 neighborhood coalition and a historical designation for the building by the City of Cambridge.Squirrel Brand Park is located on the grounds of the old Squirrel Brand candy factory.
Clement G. Morgan, 1859–1929, was the first black Cambridge City Councilor, and founded the Niagara Movement, a predecessor of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Morgan grew up on Columbia Street and on Prospect Street. Morgan Park in Area 4 is named after him.
Denise Simmons, former Mayor of Cambridge, lives in Area 4 and gets most of her support in elections from this neighborhood. She is seen as Area 4's representative to city government.
David Scondras, the first openly gay member of the Boston City Council and founder of Fenway Community Health Center in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, moved to Area 4 in early 2005 and became the neighborhood coalition's community organizer. He was forced to resign from this position after being arrested in Lowell, Mass. for soliciting sex from what he thought was an underaged boy he met over the internet. He later pleaded guilty to the charge and was required to register as a sex offender.