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{{Short description|Major intersection in Cambridge, Massachusetts}}
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'''Lechmere Square''' (pronounced "leech-meer") is located at the intersection of Cambridge St. and First St. in East [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]. It was originally named for the Colonial-era landowner Richard Lechmere, a [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalist]] who returned to [[England]] at the beginning of the [[American Revolution]]. His lands were later seized by the new American government. The shoreline 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]].[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/patriotsday/maps/]
{{coord|42|22|15|N|71|4|36|W|type:landmark|display=title}}
[[File:Aerial view of Lechmere Square, September 2021.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|Aerial view of Lechmere Square in 2021, with the new [[Lechmere station]] under construction]]
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'''Lechmere Square''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|iː|tʃ|m|ɪr}} {{respell|LEECH|meer}}) is located at the intersection of Cambridge Street and First Street in [[East Cambridge, Cambridge, Massachusetts|East Cambridge]][[Cambridge, Massachusetts|, Massachusetts]]. It was originally named for the Colonial-era landowner Richard Lechmere, a [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalist]] who returned to [[England]] at the beginning of the [[American Revolution]]. His lands were later seized by the new American government. The shoreline 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]].<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/patriotsday/maps/ American Experience | Patriots Day | Maps | PBS]</ref>


The area was developed by land speculator Andrew Craigie in the early 1800s. Later, a department store ([[Lechmere, Inc.]]) was founded in the area and named for it. The store expanded into a regional chain, which was purchased by [[Montgomery Ward]] in [[1994]] and closed in [[1997]] as [[Montgomery Ward]] filed for [[Chapter 11]] [[bankruptcy]].
The area was developed by land speculator [[Andrew Craigie]] in the early 19th century. Later, a store was founded in the area and named for it. The [[Lechmere]] store expanded into a regional chain, which was closed in 1997 as then-parent company [[Montgomery Ward]] filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]] [[bankruptcy]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52058301/all-27-lechmere-stores-close/ |title=All 27 Lechmere stores close; Montgomery Ward Struggling |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=F1 |date=November 8, 1997 |accessdate=May 24, 2020 |quote=Consumer electronics giant Lechmere disappeared yesterday.}}</ref>


The area is now best known for the [[CambridgeSide Galleria]], one of the few full-fledged interior shopping malls within the city limits of [[Boston]] and Cambridge, which is on the site of the original [[Lechmere, Inc.|Lechmere Sales]] store (and, when built, incorporated a newly-built Lechmere Sales store as one of its anchor tenants). In years past, Lechmere Square was a manufacturing center producing candy, furniture and caskets.
The area is now best known for the [[CambridgeSide]] mall, one of the few full-fledged interior shopping malls within the city limits of [[Boston]] and Cambridge, which is on the site of the original Lechmere store (and, when built, incorporated a newly built Lechmere Sales store as one of its anchor tenants). In years past, Lechmere Square was a manufacturing center producing candy, furniture, and caskets.


Lechmere Square and the surrounding [[East Cambridge, Massachusetts|East Cambridge]] are currently undergoing a revival of sorts. The area's factories have been or are being converted into office buildings and condominiums. Several large-scale development projects were begun in 2004 and 2005. The results of these projects are yet to be seen. It does appear, however, that [[East Cambridge, Massachusetts|East Cambridge]] and Lechmere Square are undergoing a gentrification process similar to what has been seen in other areas of Cambridge.
Lechmere Square and the surrounding [[East Cambridge, Massachusetts|East Cambridge]] are currently undergoing a revival of sorts. The area's factories have been or are being converted into office buildings and condominiums. Several large-scale development projects were begun in 2004 and 2005, and as a result [[East Cambridge, Massachusetts|East Cambridge]] and Lechmere Square have undergone a [[gentrification]] process similar to what has been seen in other areas of Cambridge.


Lechmere Square is served by [[Lechmere station]] of the [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority]] (MBTA). The former surface-level station closed in May 2020 for construction of the [[Green Line Extension]]; a replacement elevated station opened on March 21, 2022.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://mbta.com/news/2020-04-15/glx-update-mbta-announced-dedicated-bus-lanes-slated-charles-river-dam-road |title=GLX Update: MBTA Announced Dedicated Bus Lanes Slated for Charles River Dam Road |date=April 15, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lisinski |first=Chris |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Green Line Extension service to begin March 21 |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/02/24/mbta-somerville-green-line-open |access-date=February 25, 2022 |website=WBUR}}</ref>
Lechmere Square is served by the [[MBTA]]'s [[Lechmere (MBTA station)|Lechmere]] station. Many MBTA bus lines also stop here. Lechmere is the northern terminus of the [[Green Line (MBTA)|Green Line]]'s [[Green Line "E" Branch|"E" Branch]], and is an above-ground stop. Service to Lechmere and nearby Science Park was interrupted from June, [[2004]] until [[November 12]], [[2005]] for replacement of the [[Causeway Street Elevated]] with a tunnel under [[North Station (Boston)|North Station]] [http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/11/11/lechmere_science_park_stations_reopen/]. The historic [[concrete]] [[Lechmere Viaduct]] across the [[Charles River]] remains. Planning is ongoing to move Lechmere station across Monsignor OBrien Highway, where it will serve the new [[North Point development|North Point]] development and facilitate a Green Line extension to the north.


The [[Charles River]] and [[Memorial Drive]] are nearby. Lechmere is also located close to the [[Museum of Science, Boston|Museum of Science]].
The [[Charles River]], [[Lechmere Canal]], and [[Memorial Drive (Cambridge)|Memorial Drive]] are nearby. Lechmere is also located close to the [[Museum of Science, Boston|Museum of Science]].


==References==
==References==
* Cambridge Historical Commission, [http://www.cambridgema.gov/~Historic/cambridgehistory.html "History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA"]. Retrieved May 29, 2005.
* Cambridge Historical Commission, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120930095250/http://www2.cambridgema.gov/historic/cambridgehistory.html "History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA"]. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
* Discount Store News (1994), [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n4_v33/ai_14852440 "Montgomery Ward buys Lechmere; continues growth through acquisition"]. Retrieved May 29, 2005.
* Discount Store News (1994), [https://web.archive.org/web/20130712160429/http://archive/#46;today/3qz5 "Montgomery Ward buys Lechmere; continues growth through acquisition"]. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
* Boston Business Journal (1997), [http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/1997/08/11/editorial2.html "Lechmere: Joining the ghosts of retailers past"]. Retrieved May 29, 2005.
* Boston Business Journal (1997), [http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/1997/08/11/editorial2.html "Lechmere: Joining the ghosts of retailers past"]. Retrieved May 29, 2005.
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Cambridge, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Squares in Cambridge, Massachusetts]]


{{Massachusetts-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:50, 7 April 2024

42°22′15″N 71°4′36″W / 42.37083°N 71.07667°W / 42.37083; -71.07667

Aerial view of Lechmere Square in 2021, with the new Lechmere station under construction

Lechmere Square (/ˈliːtʃmɪr/ LEECH-meer) is located at the intersection of Cambridge Street and First Street in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was originally named for the Colonial-era landowner Richard Lechmere, a Loyalist who returned to England at the beginning of the American Revolution. His lands were later seized by the new American government. The shoreline 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.[1]

The area was developed by land speculator Andrew Craigie in the early 19th century. Later, a store was founded in the area and named for it. The Lechmere store expanded into a regional chain, which was closed in 1997 as then-parent company Montgomery Ward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[2]

The area is now best known for the CambridgeSide mall, one of the few full-fledged interior shopping malls within the city limits of Boston and Cambridge, which is on the site of the original Lechmere store (and, when built, incorporated a newly built Lechmere Sales store as one of its anchor tenants). In years past, Lechmere Square was a manufacturing center producing candy, furniture, and caskets.

Lechmere Square and the surrounding East Cambridge are currently undergoing a revival of sorts. The area's factories have been or are being converted into office buildings and condominiums. Several large-scale development projects were begun in 2004 and 2005, and as a result East Cambridge and Lechmere Square have undergone a gentrification process similar to what has been seen in other areas of Cambridge.

Lechmere Square is served by Lechmere station of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The former surface-level station closed in May 2020 for construction of the Green Line Extension; a replacement elevated station opened on March 21, 2022.[3][4]

The Charles River, Lechmere Canal, and Memorial Drive are nearby. Lechmere is also located close to the Museum of Science.

References[edit]

  1. ^ American Experience | Patriots Day | Maps | PBS
  2. ^ "All 27 Lechmere stores close; Montgomery Ward Struggling". The Boston Globe. Associated Press. November 8, 1997. p. F1. Retrieved May 24, 2020. Consumer electronics giant Lechmere disappeared yesterday.
  3. ^ "GLX Update: MBTA Announced Dedicated Bus Lanes Slated for Charles River Dam Road" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. April 15, 2020.
  4. ^ Lisinski, Chris (February 24, 2022). "Green Line Extension service to begin March 21". WBUR. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
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