Union Square in Somerville in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
A Moment In Time
Photographed by Marc Posner, October 26, 2023
1. A Moment In Time Marker
Near this spot on April 17th, 1832, Jonathan W. Niles unearthed the first complete Anchisaurus skeleton. Niles, an employee of the Milk Row Bleachery, found the discovery while working to fill the Miller's River marsh (which now is the stretch of Somerville Ave between here and the Washington Street intersection). He is known for widely publicizing and leveraging the discovery for personal gain. Niles and his wife Helen moved in 1854 and showed the skeleton in their home at 91 Summer Street, Boston.
In 1867, Alfred Worchester, a student of Harvard Medical School, inspected the bones authenticity and concluded the find to be a hoax. Worchester stated that Niles had merely arranged the bones of a German Shepherd and a common horse together in a convincing manner. Before this accusation could be confirmed the Anchisaurus skeleton was destroyed in the Boston Fire of 1872, which also took the life of Jonathan Niles and his wife Helen.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Paleontology. A significant historical date for this entry is April 17, 1832.
Location. 42° 22.88′ N, 71° 5.985′ W. Marker is in Somerville,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Historic Boston and specifically in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Nunziato Field (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Quincy Street Open Space (about 500 feet away); Nunziato Field (about 600 feet away); The Richmond (about 600 feet away); Civil War Monument (about 600 feet away); Milk Row Cemetery (about 600 feet away); Site Of Recruiting Stand (approx. 0.2 miles away); Duck Village (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all
Photographed by Marc Posner, April 8, 2024
2. Marker on Traffic Island
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 296 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 15, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. 2. submitted on June 7, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
