Neighborhood Nine in Cambridge in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Way to Charlestown

1630 – 1930

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, May 31, 2011

1. Way to Charlestown Marker

Inscription. Washington Street, Somerville, and Kirkland and Brattle Streets, Cambridge, "Skirting marshes and river," follow the old Indian trail from Charlestown to Watertown. Along this way in 1636 went the Reverend Thomas Hooker and his congregation on their exodus from Cambridge to Hartford in Connecticut.

Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Massachusetts Bay Colony—Tercentenary Commission Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1636.

Location. 42° 22.585′ N, 71° 7.187′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Neighborhood Nine. It can be reached from Massachusetts Avenue. Marker is on the right when traveling south on Massachusetts Avenue (State Route 2A) toward Harvard Square. Marker is on the east side of Cambridge Common. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5109 Cambridge St, Cambridge MA 02138, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is 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: Cambridge Soldiers and Sailors Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); An Gorta Mór - The Great Hunger (within shouting distance of this marker); Continental Troops Assembled (within shouting distance of this marker); Cambridge Common (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Headquarters of General Ward (about 300 feet away); Christ Church (about 300 feet away); Old Cambridge (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cambridge.

Regarding Way to Charlestown. Charlestown is a suburb of Boston lying northeast of Cambridge. Watertown is another suburb in the opposite direction, toward southwest from here, and that would be the way

Wider View Across Cambridge Common image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, May 31, 2011

2. Wider View Across Cambridge Common

The marker is mounted on one end of a small brick utility building.

to get to Connecticut.

Rev. Thomas Hooker believed that a democratic government should extend voting privileges to more people than just property owners. This view put him at odds with colonial authorities in Massachusetts in the 1630s, so Hooker and about 100 followers set off for Connecticut and founded the town of Hartford. Today, he is often called the Father of Connecticut.

Also see . . .
1. Thomas Hooker. This Wikipedia entry includes Frederick Church's 1846 painting, Hooker and Company Journeying Through the Wilderness. (Submitted on May 31, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts.)

2. Tercentenary Commission. Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Tercentenary Commission, commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Submitted on May 31, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts.)

3. Cambridge Historical Society. The Cambridge Historical Society has been a repository of history and culture for over 100 years. We are an active non-profit organization and are dedicated to promoting an interest in all aspects of the history

View Toward Southeast image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, May 31, 2011

3. View Toward Southeast

Massachusetts Avenue and Harvard Yard are in the background.

and heritage of Cambridge. (Submitted on September 8, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)

Photographed by R.J. O’Hara, August 17, 2025

4. Way to Charlestown Marker

The marker is still in the same location in 2025 but it has been repainted since it was first posted here in 2011.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,600 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on October 9, 2011, by Michael Tiernan of Danvers, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. 4. submitted on August 19, 2025, by R.J. O’Hara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.