Editing Inman Square (section)

=== 20th century ===
After transportation brought people and commerce to the region, a new era of stability overtook Inman Square. From 1910 up until the early 1950s, [[streetcar]], automobile, and foot traffic shuffled people to and from the square where architectural instead of transportation construction was taking place. During this period commercial dwellings popped up to service the local community: [[Pharmacy|drugstore]]s, [[tavern]]s, markets, bakeries, delis, and an insurance company were among the many stores that called Inman Square home.

After the streetcars left Cambridge Street around 1950 the square became "just a little bit out of the way" yet remained "around the corner from Harvard, Central, Kendall and Lechmere." Even though there is no direct rapid transit, three [[MBTA]] bus lines (69, 83, 91) stop in the square, making it accessible by mass transit. Post-streetcar visitors still regularly frequent the area's restaurant and entertainment attractions.

The regional restaurant chain [[Legal Sea Foods]] began in Inman Square in 1950 as a fish market that also did a takeout business. Legal Sea Foods grew to a chain of 31 restaurants, including those in Kendall Square and in [[Copley Square]] in [[Boston]], as well as in suburbs and cities throughout the region. After the original Legal Sea Foods location burned in a fire, it was rebuilt and became Cambridge Family Health.  An ornate fish on the building facade at 237 Hampshire Street commemorates the previous presence.

[[Image:Cambridge MA Firehouse 1384.jpg|thumb|right|Cambridge Fire Department Engine 5 Firehouse]]
From the 1960s through the late 1970s, next to Legal Seafoods one could find the home of the improvisational troupe The Proposition. Alumni of the troupe include actors [[Josh Mostel]], [[Judith Kahan]] [[Paul Kreppel]] and original ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' cast member [[Jane Curtin]]. Later, in the 1980s, at the Ding Ho<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sevenstories.com/blogs/87-in-memory-of-barry-crimmins|title=In Memory of Barry Crimmins|website=sevenstories.com|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatermania.com/shows/boston-theater/the-ding-ho-reunion-25-years-of-the-best-of-boston-comedy_107732|title=The Ding Ho Reunion - 25 Years of the Best of Boston Comedy|website=TheaterMania|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref> restaurant at 11 Springfield Street<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cambridgehistory.org/performance-spaces/map.html|title=Performance Spaces in Cambridge|website=cambridgehistory.org|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref> (where Ole Mexican Grill is presently located), such comedians as [[Steven Wright]], [[Jimmy Tingle]], [[Bobcat Goldthwait]], and club founder [[Barry Crimmins]] got their start.<ref name=punch>[http://punchlinemagazine.com/site/2008/12/steven-wright-inducted-into-hall-a-citys-comedy-history-celebrated/ Turbovsky, Rob. "Steven Wright inducted into Hall, a city’s comedy history celebrated"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428120350/http://punchlinemagazine.com/site/2008/12/steven-wright-inducted-into-hall-a-citys-comedy-history-celebrated/ |date=2009-04-28 }}, ''Punchline Magazine'', December 22, 2008</ref><ref name=loaded>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090919090420/http://www.loadedgunboston.com/2008/04/steven-wright-headlines-ding-ho-reunion.html Baltrusis, Sam. "Steven Wright headlines Ding Ho reunion benefit"], LoadedGunBoston.com, April 8, 2008</ref>  Most, including future ''[[The Tonight Show|Tonight Show]]'' host [[Jay Leno]], began by performing between sets of musical acts at the "Ding", as it was known to locals.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} Leno's first stage appearance took place there between sets of JT's Mardi Gras Band and the Lawnchair Ladies.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}