Watertown MA Economic Development

Summer tends to be a busy time for auto body repair! Luckily, Watertown has many body shops to get you back to tip top shape. Visit one of them today for expert repairs.

[Image description: A white car with damage around the wheel well]

Watertown has a long history with cars! So for the month of July we're featuring the automobile.

Did you know that some of the first motorcars were made in Watertown? The Stanley Motor Carriage Company manufactured cars on Maple St. in the early 20th century, producing steam motor cars. A Stanley was the first car ever to climb Mt. Washington, and Stanley cars have been featured in Hollywood in movies from Summer Holiday (1948) to Seabiscuit (2003).

[Image description: an illustration of a steam-powered motor carriage.]

The Treaty of Watertown is primarily a military alliance, and under its terms, the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet people sent troops to assist General Washington's campaign. Their troops were instrumental to securing the northern border and naval ports against British incursion.

[Image description: a pay record for Ambrose Bear. Text above reads: "History Thursday: Pivotal Assistance." Text to the right reads: "The alliance with the Mi’kmaq and the Maliseet had real military implications for the Revolutionary War. The delegates from these tribes who signed the Treaty returned to their homes, around Machias, in what is now Maine. Ambrose Bear, whose pay record is shown here, became the Commanding Officer for the Indian Detachment of the U.S. Continental Army. Under Bear’s command, more than 400 troops in 200 canoes, successfully defended Machias in the first naval battle of the Revolution. Blocking the British from landing there meant they could not establish a base for resupplying their troops in Boston, making the Battle of Machias a pivotal battle in the War."]

The Coolidge Tavern once stood in Watertown - but where? Tell us where you find this marker for this month's "Where in Watertown?" detail!

[Image description: a plaque that reads "The Coolidge Tavern famous for its hospitalityduring the American Revolution, stood on this spot. Here many leaders of the patriot cause, including George Washington, John and Samuel Adams, found lodging and refreshment. The Great and General Court met here briefly in the winter of 1775-1776."]

OK, who found it this month? This is one of the new sculptures on the Sculpture Walk along the Community Path! This is called "Structural Misinformation" by Jeremy Entwistle, and it was installed along with 3 other new sculptures as part of the rotating exhibit that changes out yearly.

[Image description: a black cube on a green pedestal. Text at the top reads "Where in Watertown?" Text at the bottom reads "Answer: 'Structural Misinformation' by Jeremy Entwistle on the Community Sculpture Walk."]

After much of the Massachusetts Bay leadership moved from Boston to Watertown, Benjamin Edes moved his printing business here as well. He and his publishing partner, John Gill, had been targeted by the British for publishing seditious material, and Gill was arrested and imprisoned for a month. Edes continued publishing the Gazette as well as being the official printer for the Provincial Congress and serving as one of the Sons of Liberty. Edes' shop stood on what is now known as the Delta, which was at the time a commercial marketplace.

[Image description: an old newspaper superimposed over a modern building and green space. Text above reads: "History Thursday: Publishing Sedition." Text to the right reads: "Printer Benjamin Edes, one of the Sons of Liberty, began printing the Boston Gazette in Watertown after the battles at Lexington and Concord. The Gazette published numerous articles calling for rebellion against royal authority, leading British officials to declare the paper an enemy institution. Edes' publishing partner, John Gill, was arrested and imprisoned in Boston for a month for publishing treason and sedition. The intersection and the bridge that crossed the Charels River were configured differently than today. At that time, the area now known as 'the Delta' was a marketplace, and Edes printed the Boston Gazette in a shop there. Edes also served as the official printer for the Provincial Congress."]

There's no better way to cool down than to jump into a pool! Dealtry Pool, run by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, sits right up against the Charles River, just out of Watertown Square. They run swim lessons all summer, as does the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown at their indoor pool. It's not too late to sign up!

[Image description: a public swimming pool with people in it.]

Watertown's pouring for thirsty fans! And we haven't run out yet. Welcome to all the fans: Scotland, Ghana, Norway, England, Morocco and France.



[Image description: The word "thirsty?" in large letters over a background of blue and black tartan]

The Pigsgusset Initiative launched their Story Map at an event at the Watertown Free Public Library last night. The interactive map tool tells the history of people who lived on these lands long before any European settlers arrived. The map is the result of several years of work by historians, residents, and indigenous partners, who have used primary sources to reclaim information about these peoples' hunting, fishing, and farming techniques, migration patterns, and interactions with the settlers.

[Image description: an illustration of a turtle with the words "Pigsgusset Initiative" around it. Text above reads "History Thursday: Reclaiming Indigenous History in Watertown." Text to the right reads "For six years, the Pigsgusset Initiative has been researching and reclaiming the indigenous history of the first people to live in Watertown. This project has been a collaboration between the Massachusett Tribe, the Historical Society of Watertown, Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment, the Watertown Free Public Library, the Upstander Project, and City staff. Watertown has been inhabited for more than 10,000 years. The first people to live here referred to the area as 'meadow at the widening of the river.' Their word for this became Anglicized as 'Pigsgusset' or 'Pequossette.'"]

There are natural bodies of water around Watertown if you're looking to take a stroll. Mount Auburn Cemetery, for example, has four separate lakes and ponds on their grounds. The City of Watertown has also been gathering public input on Walker Pond, on the west side, for a project that will develop a playground, walking paths, and other amenities to turn that area into a beautiful park.

[Image description: trees surrounding a pond. Text at the bottom reads "Water in Watertown: Pond."]