Union Square walking tour

On October 18, 2023, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Owners Linda Gritz and Michael Katz of 3 Emerson St., a mid-18th century house on edge of new high rises, who would like to be designated as part of an expanded local historic district in Union Square. — Photos by Jeanine Farley

Some 60 participants – some from as far away as Sharon, MA – took part in a walking tour of Union Square last Sunday. The almost 3-hour walk, entitled Union Square on the Cusp of Change with New Developments and Sensitive Preservation, was led architectural historian Ed Gordon.

Many of the buildings visited were highlighted as highly worthy of designation as locally historic and could be part of an expansion to the existing Union Square Local Historic District (LHD) that the city approved in 2010.

Almost all of the properties were surveyed by a professional architectural team more than a decade ago, but have yet to be designated by the city in order to preserve and protect them from demolition as development pressures increase in Union Square.

15 Union Square, best known in recent decades as the Mid-Nite Convenience Store.

16 Union Sq.

Artist reproduction on a utility box of a vintage postcard of the Square in the late 19th century.

Distinctive remnant of St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 300 Somerville Avenue recently restored and incorporated within new rental apt. development.

Edward Gordon, architectural historian and tour leader highlighting significant features on various properties.

285 Washington St. property with multiple entries – Washington St., Hawkins St., and Olive Square.

Manhole cover dating back to 1890.

Brandon Wilson, Somerville city planner and tour organizer and co-leader.

31-34 Union Square/The Eberle Building (1884), adjacent #35-36 which was former residence of the original owner and to new rental apartment buildings at 300 Somerville Ave.