Brookline Village is one of the major commercial and retail centers of the town of Brookline, Massachusetts, United States. Located just north of Massachusetts Route 9 and west of the Muddy River, it is the historic center of the town and includes its major civic buildings, including town hall and the public library. The commercial spine of the village, extending along Washington Street from Route 9 to the library, is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Brookline Village Commercial District.
Brookline Village Commercial District | |
 Washington Street | |
   | |
| Location | Irregular Pattern along Washington St., Brookline, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°20′0″N 71°7′16″W / 42.33333°N 71.12111°W |
| Architect | Multiple |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000364[1] |
| Added to NRHP | May 22, 1979 |
History
editBrookline Village was the first significant site, known as Muddy River, of colonial settlement in what is now Brookline, due to the crossing of the Muddy River, which provided overland access between Boston and Cambridge (then little more than a village at what is now Harvard Square). The village grew from this beginning to become Brookline's first major economic center. In the 19th century commercial activity was concentrated on Boylston, Washington, and Harvard Streets, and grew with the construction of what is now Brookline Avenue, and the arrival of the rail line that now serves the MBTA.
Brookline Village was once known as Punch Bowl Village,[2] named after the Punch Bowl Tavern,[3] and for a time was part of Roxbury.[4]
Public transportation
editBrookline Village is served by the MBTA's Green Line D-train at the Brookline Village station, with service to downtown Boston. The area is also served by the MBTA's bus service.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ "Boston Fire Historical Society". Bostonfirehistory.org. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- ^ "Full text of "Glimpses of early Roxbury"". Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- ^ Drake, Francis Samuel, The Town of Roxbury: Its Memorable Persons and Places, Its History and Antiquities, with Numerous Illustrations of Its Old Landmarks and Noted Personages, Boston : Municipal Print. Office, 1908. Cf. p.346