South Medford is the southern part of Medford, Massachusetts. The neighborhood has been predominantly Italian American in South Medford, but one quarter of the residents are non-white.
South Medford was founded together with Medford in 1630, making it the 4th oldest English settlement in North America.
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In 1630, South Medford was founded by English settlers. It remained mostly White Anglo-Saxon Protestant in character for over two hundred years, during which the South Medford Baptist church and other institutions were founded.[1]
The historic Stearns House was built in 1845 in the village, near a canal that closed in 1852.[2]
In 1890, Medford was described as "an ancient and charming suburban town" with its own railway line, the Medford Branch Railroad, although South Medford was then so rural as not to rate either its own rail station or its own post office.[3]
At some time in the 20th Century, it became predominantly Italian-American in character.
South Medford has an area of 2.344 square miles (6.07 km2), and a population of 22,132, making its population density of 9,442 people per square mile, which is denser than Medford generally.[4] The range of house values is between $300,000 and $500,000.[4] Three quarters of residents are of the "white" race.[4]
South Medford is closer to Downtown Boston than most of Boston. Its southern borders stretch to Somerville, and its northern borders are often disputed as stretching to Alexander's market, Barry Park, or even sometimes historic Medford Square. The Prudential Center can be seen in the background looking south from Main Street. Charlestown is one mile (1.6 km) away from its southern-most border.
Traditionally, the neighborhood was largely Italian-American. South Medford has more Italian bakeries than the North End of Boston, most notably La Cascia's and Italo's. Bob's Foods is often named to have the best Steak & Cheese's in the country, and mainstream media such as Fox News, Phantom Gourmet, and Boston Magazine has picked up on this. Frank Sinatra used to frequent DePasquale's in South Medford, along with "Crazy Guggenheimer" Frank Fontaine, and Rocky Marciano. You can still hear many of the residents speaking Italian in South Medford, as well as remnants from the rich Italian-American past such as a bocce court at the South Medford Fire Station, as well as "Video Italiano", an Italian video store in South Medford that was around before an English video store.
South Medford is home to many urban parks, including: