Cambridge and Somerville, MA Post Offices
Matthew E. Liebson

Massachusetts Postal History--Cambridge and Somerville


The Massachusetts towns of Cambridge and Somerville, both in Middlesex County, have never had very many post offices. The history of those that have been present, however, are a bit convoluted. Like many offices in the Boston area, Cambridge and Somerville offices have been switched from independent to stations to branches, with a few discontinuances and name changes along the way. You will find a listing of offices below.

I've tried to group them so that the changes of one office over time can be seen. Therefore, Winter Hill, a reincarnation of North Somerville, is listed following that office rather than in a more alphabetical fashion. Hopefully, it will make some sense.

If a listing is in bold, I don't have one in my collection. I am interested in acquiring more Cambridge and Somerville material, even if I already have some in my collection--I'm particularly interested in Harvard related pieces. Please let me know what you have!

The listing below and the rarity factors come from Merolla and Crowther's Post Offices of Massachusetts. While the scarcity levels of some of these seem high, that doesn't always translate to a high price. The MA book tends to be rather more liberal in the assignment of higher scarcity numbers than most other states. Also keep in mind that at the turn of the century Cambridge was one of the 50 largest cities in the United States!


Post Office Opening Date Closing DateRarity Factor
CambridgeMar 28, 1802Jun 30, 18732
Cambridge (Sta. of Boston) Jul 1, 1873 Jun 30, 1895 2
Station E (of Boston)Jul 1, 1895Oct 31, 1897 5
Cambridge (Sta. of Boston) Nov 1, 1897 Jun 30, 1908 2
Cambridge (Br. of Boston) Jul 1, 1908 open 1

Cambridgeport Mar 18, 1828 Jun 30, 1873 3
Cambridgeport (Sta. of Boston)Jul 1, 1873 Jun 30, 1895 2
Station F (of Boston) Jul 1, 1895 Nov 30, 1897 5
Cambridgeport (Sta. of Boston)Dec 1, 1897 Apr 30, 1902 2
Cambridge A (Sta. of Boston) May 1, 1902 Jun 30, 1908 2
Cambridge A (Br. of Boston) Jul 1, 1908 open 1

East Cambridge Mar 17, 1828 Jun 30, 1873 3
East Cambridge (Sta. of Boston)Jul 1, 1873 Jun 30, 1895 3
Station M (of Boston) Jul 1, 1895 Nov 30, 1897 7
East Cambridge (Sta. of Boston)Dec 1, 1897 Apr 30, 1902 3
Cambridge C (Sta. of Boston) May 1, 1902 Jun 30, 1908 2
Cambridge C (Br. of Boston) Jul 1, 1908 open 1

North Cambridge Jan 6, 1853 Jun 30, 1873 5
North Cambridge (Sta. of Boston) Jul 1, 1873 Jun 30, 1895 4
Station P (of Boston) Jul 1, 1895 Nov 30, 1897 7
North Cambridge (Sta. of Boston) Dec 1, 1897 Apr 30, 1902 4
Cambridge B (Sta. of Boston) May 1, 1902 Jun 30, 1908 2
Cambridge B (Br. of Boston) Jul 1, 1908 open 1

West Cambridge Jun 30, 1805 Apr 25, 1867 6
changed to Arlington

Kendall Square (Br. of BostonMay 1, 1926 open 1

Somerville May 28, 1844 Jun 30, 1873 3
Somerville (Sta. of Boston) Jul 1, 1873 Jun 30, 1895 3
Station U (of Boston) Jul 1, 1895 Oct 31, 1897 5
Somerville (Sta. of Boston) Nov 1, 1897 Jun 30, 1908 3
Somerville (Br. of Boston) Jul 1, 1908 open 1

East Somerville Aug 1, 1861 Jun 30, 1873 8
East Somerville (Sta. of Boston) Jul 1, 1873 Jul 31, 1876 9
East Somerville (Sta. of Boston) Sep 4, 1877 Dec 31, 1877 9
East Somerville (Sta. of Boston) Jul 1, 1890 Jun 30, 1895 9
changed to Station 2?

North Somerville Aug 1, 1861 May 31, 1875 8
North Somerville (Sta. of Boston) Jun 1, 1875 Jul 31, 1876 9
Winter Hill (Sta. of Boston) Jul 1, 1890 Jun 30, 1895 2
changed to Station 8?
Winter Hill (Sta. of Boston) Feb 1, 1898 Jun 30, 1908 2
Winter Hill (Br. of Boston) Jul 1,1908 open 1

West Somerville Apr 21, 1873 May 30, 1875 9
West Somerville (Sta. of Boston) Jun 1, 1875 Mar 31, 1876 4
West Somerville (Sta. of Boston) Jul 1, 1889 Jun 30, 1895 4
Changed to Station 8?
West Somerville (Sta. of Boston) Feb 1, 1898 Jun 30, 1908 4
West Somerville (Br. of Boston) Jul 1, 1908 open 1

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