Old Cemetery
Why it's listed
Old Cemetery is a small burial ground on Somerville Avenue at School Street in Somerville, Massachusetts. It was laid out in 1804 on farm land donated by Samuel Tufts and holds roughly 100 gravestones on less than an acre. It is the first and only burial ground in the city dating from before the 20th century. Its size is modest because many local families used the nearby Phipps Street-Charlestown Burying Yard, and many residents chose Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge after 1832. Most of the early 19th century stones carry some ornament but are not outstanding examples of the stone cutter's craft. Two features stand out: a Civil War monument erected in 1863, reported to be the earliest in the country, and an ornate cast iron fence that survives as one of the few examples of 19th century ironwork in the city. Somerville Avenue was once called Milk Row, and the Milk Row School stood beside the cemetery.
Significance in brief: It is the only pre-20th century cemetery in Somerville and keeps its integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship and association with the town's 19th century development. It contains a Civil War monument erected in 1863, reported to be the earliest in the country, and ornate cast iron fencing that is one of few surviving examples of 19th century ironwork in the city.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 89001301, listed September 18, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Somerville Ave. and School St., Somerville |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 18, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001301 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as fair/good; the cast iron fencing is described as well maintained. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.38159, -71.10639 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 89001301.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7083624
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.