The Cambridge Common

The Cambridge Common is both geographically and historically the center of Cambridge. Its role today as a pleasant city park with a children’s play lot and a growing collection of monuments belies its past roles as an agricultural core, a military training ground and one of the most important sites of the American Revolution.

The Common was established in 1630 as a part of the original plan for the city. The core of Cambridge was surrounded by palisade fences and had a set of houses on relatively small lots inside; while outside of the fortifications were the farmlands and the livestock. The system of farming relied on a vast area of undivided common land. This common land once included woodlots that stretched from North Cambridge to Arlington Heights, ox pastures between today’s Rindge Ave and Alewife Brook Parkway, and grounds for grazing sheep. The Common along Massachusetts Avenue was used as a cow pasture and stretched from the Burying Ground to Linnaean Street and encompassed over 85 acres.

In its early stages the common was also used as training ground for local militias and a staging area for military maneuvers. In terms of military history, it is probably most famous for its role during the American Revolution.

On September 1, 1774 British troops seized gunpowder and other military supplies from a powder house in Somerville. On September 2, 1774 in response to the seizure of gunpowder, militias from all over New England marched toward Boston and convened on Cambridge Common to protest. The militias also protested the establishment of the Mandamus Council, which had recently been formed and replaced their elected governments. As many as 4,000 protestors met on Cambridge Common that day.

Less than a year later the Cambridge Common played in an important role in the first battle of the American Revolution. By April 18, 1775 Boston Patriots including Paul Revere and Dr. Joseph Warren noticed the movement of British troops and ships. The British were heading toward Lexington and Concord to seize gunpowder and military supplies and were also planning to arrest Boston Patriots Samuel Adams and John Hancock. In order to warn the surrounding towns that the British were coming Dr. Warren sent Paul Revere and William Dawes. Dawes rode through Cambridge Common warning of the arrival of the British and telling the citizens to destroy The Great Bridge which, at that time, was the only bridge between Boston and Cambridge. The British arrived at Lechmere Point around midnight.  The British troops passed through Cambridge Common without any conflicts, as the citizens of Cambridge had found safety after Dawes’ warning.

British reinforcements, lead by Lord Percy, were detained by the destruction of the Great Bridge.They also passed through Cambridge Common on their way to Lexington and Concord. Percy stated that there were so many tracts on Cambridge Common that he was confused as to where to go. 

After the victorious Battle of Lexington and Concord the New England militias marched back to Cambridge and set up camp on Cambridge Common. Within two days about 10,000 minutemen came to Cambridge and even more came in the months that followed. Many of these troops camped on Cambridge Common.

As Cambridge became the center of the American Revolution in 1775 the Common was home to many historical moments. It was on Cambridge Common on July 3, 1775 where General George Washington took command of the New England militias. Legend says that Washington took command of the militias underneath an old elm tree by the common and this tree became known as the Washington Elm. The Continental Army, under Washington’s command, remained in Cambridge throughout The Siege of Boston through the winter of 1776 until leaving after the British evacuated Boston on March 17, 1776. Throughout the time the Continental Army was stationed in Cambridge several barracks were constructed to house the troops throughout the winter months. However those barracks were not maintained after they left.

 

Cambridge Common Today