Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 7.

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[p. 23] name in Somerville) was the direct road to Lechmere Point, East Cambridge, and was called Court street, as it was used especially when the inhabitants of Medford had occasion to go to the County Court House, which stood then, as now, very near the historic spot where the British landed, April 19, 1775.

The name was subsequently changed to Craigie road, a name suggested by its being the direct route to Craigie bridge at East Cambridge, but this name in turn was superseded.

Ship street, a name appropriate then and of historical value now, although we must lament its change to Riverside avenue, had been formerly known as the road to the marshes and the road to the mill. It was of much later date than the three roads described as ‘leading .... from the town pump.’ Porter's corner was so called from the residence and store on the corner of Main street, then owned and occupied by Jonathan Porter. This store was well known for miles around, and our elders tell of the line of teams, extending up High street and down Salem street for several rods, with steaming oxen waiting for their turn to be relieved of the loads brought from ‘up above,’ and ‘down Cape Ann way,’ to be exchanged for West India goods (pronounced West Ingie) from the store. Ship street ended at the ‘red gate,’ which was the entrance to Wellington Farms, which were owned and tilled by the brothers Isaac and James Wellington, their fertile acres unbroken by street or railroad. South street, after being extended to Medford Hillside, is now back within its original limits, from Main street, ‘at the hotel,’ to ‘where the road leaves the river.’ ‘Spring street,’ crossing the canal, is Winthrop street. Summer street (formerly Middlesex) and West street approximately mark the course of Middlesex canal in this section. Nathan Adams occupied a house where the Mystic House stands, and Harvard street was Cambridge street. Both names are equally appropriate.

Mountain street was the name given to the present