What Makes Somerville So Unique – Fun Facts + Local Charm
There’s just something about Somerville, MA: it’s creative, quirky, and full of energy. Whether you’re strolling through Davis Square, hanging at Assembly Row, or grabbing a latte near Ball Square, there’s no mistaking that this city has personality. And honestly? That’s exactly why we love calling it home at Lindsay Griffin + Co.
A City with Major Character
Somerville didn’t get its charm overnight — it’s built right into the city’s DNA. Once called the “City of Seven Hills,” each neighborhood grew up with its own identity (and a few friendly rivalries between Winter Hill and Prospect Hill). Prospect Hill even played a huge role in history it’s where the first American flag, the Grand Union Flag, was raised during the Revolutionary War.
It’s safe to say Somerville’s been making a statement since way before it was cool.
The Sweetest City Around
Did you know Somerville is basically a candy legend? It’s the birthplace of Marshmallow Fluff (yes, the actual Fluff!) and home to the annual Fluff Festival, which is every bit as fun and sugary as it sounds. Back in the day, it was also the headquarters for Necco Wafers, one of the biggest candy manufacturers in the country, until the factory closed in 2018. Sweet history, literally.
Arts, Music, and All the Creative Vibes
Somerville’s art scene is unmatched. Every spring, Somerville Open Studios turns the city into one big gallery, letting people wander through artists’ personal workspaces. And then there’s HONK! Festival, a massive street party where brass bands, dancers, and activists fill the streets with sound, color, and joy. If you haven’t experienced it yet, put it on your list.
Ball Square: Small but Mighty
Right near our balayage hair salon in Ball Square, you’ll find a neighborhood that’s packed with charm and a little bit of mystery. It’s named after John Nichols Ball, a 19th-century landowner who helped shape the area, which used to be a hub for the horsecar railway system. Some of those old street patterns? Still there. Rumor has it, during Prohibition, Ball Square and a few other Somerville spots hid some very secret speakeasies.
And the new Ball Square Green Line Station is one of the coolest in the MBTA system, complete with public art and a sustainable design that totally fits the neighborhood’s progressive spirit.
Historic, Hip, and Totally Somerville
Between the artists, foodies, and makers, there’s something about this city that just clicks. It’s where Barack Obama once lived (yep, at 365 Broadway while at Harvard Law), where Tufts University keeps the college-town energy going strong, and where, in 1978, the Tufts football team even had a live elephant at their homecoming game. Only in Somerville, right?
At Lindsay Griffin + Co., we love being part of this city’s story, one that’s bold, creative, and always evolving. From hidden history to modern art, Somerville is more than just a neighborhood near Boston — it’s a lifestyle.
