Between 1790 and 1840, Cambridge grew rapidly, with the construction of the West Boston Bridge in 1792 connecting Cambridge directly to Boston, so that it was no longer necessary to travel eight miles (13 km) through the Boston Neck, Roxbury, and Brookline to cross the Charles River.
Entre 1790 e 1840, Cambridge comezou a crecer rapidamente coa construción da ponte West Boston ou Longfellow en 1792, que conectou a cidade directamente con Boston, facendo innecesario viaxar os 13 quilómetros a través de Boston Neck, Roxbury e Brookline para cruzar o río Charles.