Watertown Square station
| Company type | District |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation, Retail, Residential |
| Headquarters | Watertown, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Public transit hub, commercial and residential area |
Watertown Square represents a district within Watertown, Massachusetts, centered around the crossroads of Main Street and North Beacon Street—both designated as part of U.S. Route 20—alongside Galen Street and Mount Auburn Street, which are components of State Route 16.
Positioned just to the north of the Charles River, this square lies in proximity to the Watertown Bridge located on Galen Street. The area hosts the Armenian Library and Museum of America, with the Watertown Dam situated roughly to the west.
Primary transit options feature MBTA bus routes and , which conclude their journeys at a busway positioned on the square’s western edge, while route has stops along the northern perimeter. Overlooking the square from the west is the historic Watertown Savings Bank Building, constructed in 1921.
History
The Watertown Branch Railroad began operations through Watertown Square in 1847; passenger services ceased on July 9, 1938, and by 1940 the second track had been removed. The segment of the line running from Waltham/Watertown through Watertown Square to East Watertown was discontinued in 1960. By 1968, the former Watertown station had been converted into a lumber business but was eventually torn down.
In September 2023, Watertown city officials unveiled a redevelopment initiative for the square aimed at enhancing public spaces and encouraging residential development. This proposal involves rerouting Charles River Road and Riverside Street to establish a conventional four-way intersection at Main/North Beacon and Galen/Mount Auburn Streets. Additionally, MBTA routes 59 and 71 are planned for extension to Watertown Yard, while Columbus Delta park is set to expand into areas formerly occupied by the busway.