Porter Square, Commercial district in Cambridge, United States
Porter Square is a commercial neighborhood in Cambridge centered on the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Somerville Avenue. The area sits between Harvard and Davis Squares, functioning as a middle ground that links these two established centers.
The area took its name in 1899 from Porter's Hotel, run by Zachariah B. Porter, replacing the previous name Union Square. This renaming marked a turning point when the place began to establish its own identity as a distinct district.
The kinetic sculpture Gift of the Wind by Susumu Shingu has shaped the plaza since 1984 with its moving components. It serves as the visual anchor where people naturally gather and become aware of the square's artistic presence.
The Porter Square station connects the area to the MBTA Red Line subway and the Fitchburg Line commuter rail. These connections make it easy to travel to Boston and other regional destinations.
Beneath the Walden Street Bridge sits a cattle pass built in 1857 for moving livestock through the area. This hidden structure was restored in 2007 and stands as a surprising remnant of the neighborhood's earlier life.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
