Ward Two in Somerville in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Duck Village

Somerville Historical Note

Photographed by Marc Posner, May 4, 2024

1. Duck Village Marker

Inscription.
The locals called it Duck Village but not because of any quacking. A tiny mishmash of streets was used during prohibition by bootleggers as a hideout for speakeasy and their patrons to duck authorities.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Law Enforcement.

Location. 42° 22.767′ N, 71° 6.33′ W. Marker is in Somerville, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Ward Two. It is at the intersection of Hanson Street and Durham Street, on the right when traveling north on Hanson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 38 Hanson Street, Somerville MA 02143, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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are within walking distance of this marker: Civil War Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); Milk Row Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Conway Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); "What Mr. Chase Didn't Know about Coffee, Mr. Sanborn Did." (approx. 0.3 miles away); A City of Immigrants (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Librarian To Somerville, A Friend To Man (approx. 0.3 miles away); Country Town or Gritty City? / A Little Eden (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Revolutionary Hero, Much Revered (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Somerville.

Regarding Duck Village. This marker hangs from the house of Frank Cresta, whose yard is decorated with gold ducks, topiaries, and other ornaments. Although there is no definitive proof of why the neighborhood is called Duck Village, the explanation on the sign is also that used by the city's Historic Preservation Commission as well as a number of architects and historians who have studied the city.

Photographed by Marc Posner, May 4, 2024

2. Duck Village Marker

( south side )

Duck Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marc Posner, May 4, 2024

3. Duck Display

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 4,695 times since then and 545 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.