2024 People’s History Walk of Davis & Ball Squares
Extending over only four square miles, Somerville is one of the most densely populated cities in America. This walk gave participants a perspective on how a city, once dubbed “Slummerville,” has become one of the trendiest and most gentrified cities in Massachusetts.
Lifelong resident Mark McLaughlin led attendees on journey through his past on Somerville’s tough streets, weaving personal stories into the history of his neighborhood (reflective of changes that occurred throughout the community). The walk was designed to remind us that cities are continuously evolving, developing new demographics, and pursuing different trends, but the proud Somerville spirit of neighborhood identity, community optimism, and caring for each other are still very much intact.
The route route traced several stages of change that Mark believes have taken place in the city, from the forging of tight-knit neighborhoods with large clans living in multi-family housing, to the grassroot community efforts to keep them intact. Consider how the American Revolution, the Industrial Age, and bloody gang wars created a persona that was significantly altered by waves of new immigrants, introduction of mass transit, and renewed public investments.
Erased: Gentrification comes to the Playground, by Karen Dempsey.