Charlestown, Massachusetts

Charlestown is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Settled in 1628, Charlestown was the original capital of Massachusetts Bay Colony and included lands which now make up the towns of Melrose, Malden, Stoneham, Somerville, Medford, Everett, Woburn, Burlington, and parts of Arlington and Cambridge. Charlestown was incorporated as a city in 1847, but in 1874 it was annexed to Boston by popular vote of the citizens of both cities. Although founded by English Puritans, Charlestown experienced a wave of Irish immigrants in the 1840's, due to the famine in Ireland. Charlestown remained largely Irish-American in character until the 1980's. Since then, urban redevelopment and gentrification have brought greater diversity to the area.

Charlestown's location on a peninsula between the Charles and Mystic Rivers, with easy access to Boston Harbor, made it logical center of maritime activity, including shipbuilding and fur trading. The Boston Naval Shipyard, popularly known as the Charlestown Navy Yard, was established in 1801 and remained in operation until 1974, with facilities including a ropewalk and two dry-docks. At the height of WWII, the yard operated around the clock, employing nearly 50,00 people turning out destroyers and destroyer escorts for the navy. In later years, Charlestown Navy Yard participated in the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization Program (FRAM), upgrading aging naval vessels. Today the yard is a National Historical Park and ship museum, and is also the home port of U.S.S. Constitution, the nation's oldest commissioned warship. Although much of Charlestown's industry centered around the shipyard, beginning in the mid-19th century milk and sugar products also became prominent. The H.P. Hood dairy company was founded in 1846, and the original plant is still used for research and development, although milk and ice cream production has moved to nearby Lynnfield. The deep-water harbor access was useful to the sugar industry, and American Sugar Refinery Corporation, Domino Sugar Corporation and Revere Sugar all had refineries in Charlestown at one time. Schrafft’s Candy Company, well-known for their confectionary and ice-cream parlors, originated here also.

Charlestown's significant shipbuilding history, as well as periods of construction and urban revitalization, have made exposure to asbestos an issue for workers and their loved ones. Exposure to asbestos is associated with diseases such as pleural mesothelioma, a disease affecting the lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma treatment facilities in and around Charlestown are listed at the bottom of this page.

Large Jobsites in Charlestown where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance has compiled information obtained from a number of sources to identify the following large job sites in Charlestown where asbestos exposure was known to have occurred. These sites are listed below. Click on them to get more detailed information.

Other Jobsites in Charlestown where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

These additional jobsites in Charlestown, MA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Charlestown, MA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Charlestown, MA. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.

Mesothelioma Doctors Near Charlestown, MA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors who are located within a 100 mile radius of Charlestown, MA. Please click on a doctor link to obtain more information about his/her background, areas of expertise, professional affiliations and office locations.