Cambridge's Central Square...Points to Diverse Cultures, Past and Present

Central Square stands at the crossroads of Cambridge, located at the intersection of four major neighborhoods--Cambridgeport, Mid-Cambridge, Area 4 and Riverside.

But the square is also at a crossroads in its history, as it transitions from a rich heritage into an unknown future.

Since July 1998, the Central Square Oral History Project, under the direction of the Cambridge Historical Commission, has been focusing on this history.

Through countless hours of interviews and research, project director Sarah Boyer has been probing into what has made Central Square what it is today. She plans to complete a book, most likely titled Crossroads, detailing the existing accounts and memories of Central Square's history by June 2000.

"This is an oral history," Boyer says. "It can be passed down from generation to generation, so the story can live on. These are remarkable people, and no one knows about them. I want to celebrate their lives."

The Heyday

Central Square has been at the core of Cambridge, linking the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods to each other, throughout the 20th century.

After the introduction of the subway system into Cambridge in 1912, followed by two world wars, Central Square gained prominence as a thriving shopping district.

"What really got the country and the city out of the depression was World War II," Boyer says. "The 40's and 50's were the heyday of Central Square."

Lined with popular shops and department stores, Central Square attracted people from all over the Boston area, making it Cambridge's downtown.

"People used to get dressed up just to go shopping," Boyer says. "It was a wonderful scene."

Longtime resident Nellie Banks recounted to Boyer her memories of the stores of Central Square.

"Central Square was something else," Banks said. "All those nice stores. Gorin's, Corcoran's, Harvard Bazaar, Enterprise. You could get most anything down there."

Immigration played a large role in the growth of Central Square, providing a cultural flavor for the area that still stands out today.

"Many storeowners were immigrants or the children of immigrants," Boyer says. "Central Square revolved around them."

Cambridge City Council member Kenneth E. Reeves '72 recounted his impressions of the cultural variety of Central Square, recalling his days shopping there as a Harvard student.

"They all seemed to be able to traverse the same avenue," Reeves said, speaking of the vast range of people of different backgrounds seen every day on the streets of Central Square.

The various ethnic groups represented in Central Square, from the original European immigrants to the more recent arrivals from Latin America, Africa and Asia, continually added to the square's growth and charm.

Back to the Future

In the latter half of the century, however, Central Square began to experience a slow decline.

"People started moving out to the suburbs," Boyer says. "They got better jobs and cars and had more money, so they started going to the malls that were being built."

The elimination of rent control and the overall increase of housing prices also reduced the number of residents in the Central Square area.

"It has become more and more expensive to live there," Boyer says.

Throughout the '80s and '90s, Central Square saw a gradual decrease in the number of businesses that made it popular.

In 1984, the once-popular Harvard Bazaar and Corcoran's closed their doors. Woolworth's left Central in 1997, leaving stores like CVS as the only place to shop for everyday items.

"There are still big businesses like the chains that can support themselves, but it's on the decline," Boyer says.

Central Square has also seen a reduction in the number of its small "mom and pop" restaurants and stores. In 1997, the site of the popular Harvard Donut Shop was taken over by a Starbucks franchise, leading to an uproar by citizens of the area.

"People didn't like a chain coming in," Boyer said. "Many people still don't go into Starbucks."

There was also controversy recently when the Holmes Block at the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Magazine Street in Central Square was demolished in order to build 72 units of new housing in the heart of the square.

The new building, which is still under construction, displaced several small merchants from Central Square.

"It was seen as gentrification," says Charles M. Sullivan, executive director of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Boyer says citizens were also worried about changing the nature of Central Square.

"People are concerned about putting up a high-rise," Boyer says. "They are fearful that the old community is passing by."

Central Square Business Association (CSBA) President Carl F. Barron believes that the issue was blown completely out of proportion.

Barron founded the Putnam Furniture Leasing Company, which has been located in Central Square for 61 years. He has served as the CSBA president for the last 29 years.

"The subject was twisted and warped by a few people who had no known invested interest in Central Square," Barron says. "These so-called activists are causing harm to the businesses and the neighborhoods."

There is uncertainty over whether Central Square will keep its unique flavor that has made it popular for years. But continued growth has begun to show.

"The hot economy is starting to have an effect," Sullivan says.

Barron agrees, saying he believes Central Square's potential for growth can provide a link between businesses and the community.

"There is a bond between the neighborhoods and the businesses in Central Square," Barron says. "You can tell people are strongly attached through the interrelationships that are fostered."

"[The Square] is re-gaining part of its historic function as a central part of Cambridge," Sullivan says.