Charles/MGH (MBTA Station) - Overview

Overview

Across the street from the station is the historic former Charles Street Jail (which has been converted into the Liberty Hotel), the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), all of which serve as prominent landmarks in the area. The station is also situated at the border of the Boston neighborhoods of Beacon Hill and West End. Other attractions include the Charles River Esplanade, Community Boating, Hatch Shell, the Longfellow Bridge, the Charles River Bike Path, and shops and restaurants on Charles and Cambridge Streets.

The station, located partially over the intersection of Cambridge and Charles streets, is one of a small number of elevated rapid transit stations remaining in the MBTA system. (The only others are Beachmont, Science Park, Malden Center, Wollaston, and Fields Corner.) Boston once had several elevated lines, but the Atlantic Avenue Elevated, Charlestown Elevated, Washington Street Elevated, and Causeway Elevated were all torn down in favor of subway and surface-level lines. The old elevated station (pre-renovation) was featured in many episodes of Cheers.