Common Street

During the early 19th century, Common Street, then, as now, turned northwestward just beyond 14 Common Street, extending to Winthrop Street (then called Training Field Street). The area bordering the Training Field‘s southeastern edge was developed as a residential quarter between circa 1795-1810. This development was triggered in part by the construction of the Charlestown Navy Yard and the completion of the Salem Turnpike to City Square in 1802. After Charlestown was burned to the ground by the British forces In June 1775, the late 18th/early 19th century houses bordering Common, Mechanics Row (Elwood Street), and Putnam Street provide evidence of Charlestown’s post revolutionary war recovery. The recovery was not fully realized for 20 or 30 years after the revolution.

The Training Field dates from at least 1640, and over time has served as a community grazing area, militia drill grounds, battlefield (June 17, 1775), platform for political rallies, playground, and ornamental park.