Spring Hill in Somerville in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

A Librarian To Somerville, A Friend To Man

Photographed by Marc Posner, July 3, 2024

1. A Librarian To Somerville, A Friend To Man Marker

Inscription.
1897. As America began to outgrow its restless, rugged frontier days, Samuel Walter Foss, director of the Somerville Public Library, published a poem celebrating the virtues of warmth, friendship, and staying put. Expressing the spirt of a whole new generation, "The House by the Side of the Road" became one of America's most beloved verses.

There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths
Where highways never ran —
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man. — Samuel Walter Foss

Erected by City of Somerville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 42° 23.006′ N, 71° 6.481′ W. Marker is in Somerville, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Spring Hill. It is at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Bleachery Court, on the right when traveling east on Somerville Avenue. Located in Conway Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 Somerville Ave, 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 are within walking distance of this marker: When Trolleys Ran On Hay / Changing Uses, Changing Names (here, next to this marker); Picture Perfect / The Price of Liberty (here,

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next to this marker); A City of Immigrants (here, next to this marker); From Golden Glass to Silver Screen / Whatever Happened to Baby Bette? (here, next to this marker); Country Town or Gritty City? / A Little Eden (a few steps from this marker); A Revolutionary Hero, Much Revered (a few steps from this marker); A Lasting Memory, a Growing Park: George Frederik Conway / A Hero to the Nation and the World (a few steps from this marker); How Do You Say "Gutter Ball" In German / Assembling Cars At Assembly Square (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Somerville.

Photographed by Marc Posner, July 3, 2024

2. A Librarian To Somerville, A Friend To Man Marker

Photographed by Marc Posner, July 3, 2024

3. A Librarian To Somerville, A Friend To Man Marker

( back )Sample fabric from the Middlesex Bleachery and Dye Works pattern book, 1880’s courtesy of the Somerville Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.