Common Street Historic District

Common Street Historic District

In 1843 the Fitchburg Railroad was extended to Waltham by route of Wellington Hill.  Three stations were established in present day Belmont including Hill’s Crossing at Brighton Road, Wellington Station at the intersection of Concord Avenue and Common Street, and Plympton’s Crossing at Waverley Square.  The octagonal Wellington Station was built circa 1840 as a private one-room school and converted into a station in 1851 when it was acquired by the Fitchburg Railroad.  This building was used as a station until a new station was constructed in 1871.  The building was moved by the Underwood Family, the original owners of the building, to their adjacent estate for use as a summer house and artist’s studio from the end of the nineteenth century until 1980 when it was moved by its current owner, the Belmont Historical Society, to its present location. The stone railway bridge and Craftsman style Belmont Railroad Station were built by the Boston and Maine Railroad in 1908.  The architect of these structures is unknown.  The station was purchased by the Lions Club in 1956 and continues to serve as its headquarters. The Railroad Station is not within the boundary of the Common Street Historic District.

If you're a property owner and would like to inquire about having your property added to the Common Street Historic District, please contact the Office of Community Development. 

*Photo courtesy of Belmont Historical Society