A bike tour of historic Somerville, 5.22.2004 -- Page 1

On May 22nd, 2004, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission and the Somerville Bicycle Committee sponsored the "Third Annual Tour of Historic Somerville." This ride combines several of my interests into one action packed morning: local history, urbanism, and bike riding. What could be better?!? Therefore, when I heard about this ride, I contacted my buddy Craig and made plans to participate. I also brought along my camera so as to document and webify some of the sights we saw. I hope you enjoy viewing the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Click on a photo to get a larger verion of the shot.

The bike tour began at the Somerville City Hall. Here is a shot of the bicyclists assembling at City Hall before the ride. Another shot of the assembling cyclists.

Ron Newman and Dick Bauer make general announcements before the ride. Our first stop: 9-11 Aldersey Street on Prospect Hill, Somerville. This house is apparently very old, and was originally constructed in Connecticut. It was moved to Somerville long ago, when this area was still agricultural, and served as a farm house while the rest of the city grew up around it.

Our next stop: The castle on top of Prospect Hill. While listening to the speaker relate the history of Prospect Hill and this structure, I couldn't help but remember all the fun we used to have in this park when Bob lived a block down the hill. It's a good thing the cops didn't know how much fun we were having back then . . . . The crowd waits impatiently for the "let's go" signal.

In East Somerville, we rode by this extravagantly decorated house on Glen Street. I am looking forward to seeing it during Christmas lights season. We stopped in this newly renovated and beautifully decorated Victorian house for a repast. Originally the residence of George Poole, a banker and librarian, the house participated in Somerville's twentieth century slide into shabbiness: it served as a rooming house for decades. Most recently, Somerville's revival as a yuppie alternative to Cambridge has come to its salvation: three years ago an enterprising couple bought it and restored it to its original splendor.

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The bike tour began at the Somerville City Hall. Here is a shot of the bicyclists assembling at City Hall before the ride.	Another shot of the assembling cyclists.


Ron Newman and Dick Bauer make general announcements before the ride.	Our first stop: 9-11 Aldersey Street on Prospect Hill, Somerville. This house is apparently very old, and was originally constructed in Connecticut. It was moved to Somerville long ago, when this area was still agricultural, and served as a farm house while the rest of the city grew up around it.


Our next stop: The castle on top of Prospect Hill. While listening to the speaker relate the history of Prospect Hill and this structure, I couldn't help but remember all the fun we used to have in this park when Bob lived a block down the hill. It's a good thing the cops didn't know how much fun we were having back then . . . .	The crowd waits impatiently for the "let's go" signal.