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

Cambridge

1630 - 1930

Photographed by Russell C. Bixby, September 26, 2011

1. Cambridge (Massachusetts Avenue & Dunster Street) Marker

Inscription. Location chosen in 1630 to be the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Settled in 1631 under leadership of Thomas Dudley and called the New Town. The College ordered to be here, 1637. Name changed to Cambridge after the English University Town, 1638.

Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Massachusetts Bay Colony—Tercentenary Commission Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1630.

Location. 42° 22.391′ N, 71° 7.133′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Riverside. It is at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Dunster Street, on the right when traveling south on Massachusetts Avenue. Marker is located on Dunster Street side of Cambridge Savings Bank, attached to the wall of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1374 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02138, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, 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: Stephen Daye (here, next to this marker); Simon and Anne Bradstreet (within shouting distance of this marker); Fourth Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Nathaniel Eaton & Edward Goffe Houses

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Wadsworth House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Wadsworth House (within shouting distance of this marker); Judge Samuel Danforth (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John "Muggsie" Kelly (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cambridge.

More about this marker. This marker was placed originally at Mt. Auburn Street at Cambridge-Watertown line or at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Harvard Bridge. This is the only one of these identical markers which can located in 2011.

Also see . . .
1. Historical Markers Erected by Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission (1930). Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Tercentenary Commission Markers, commemorating the three hundredth anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Submitted on August 20, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)

2. Cambridge Historical Society. The Cambridge Historical Society has been a repository of history and culture for over 100 years. We are

Cambridge 1630–1930 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R.J. O’Hara, July 3, 2025

2. Cambridge 1630–1930

Marker placement on the building wall to the right looking southwest down Dunster Street. The adjacent Stephen Daye 1638 marker is also visible.

an active non-profit organization and are dedicated to promoting an interest in all aspects of the history and heritage of Cambridge. (Submitted on September 8, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,298 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on October 26, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. Photos: 1. submitted on September 26, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. 2. submitted on July 6, 2025, by R.J. O’Hara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.