West Somerville home to Tufts University was first settled in 1630 and was officially Incorporated in 1842. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 77,478. With only slightly over 4 square miles of land, this makes it the most densely populated community in New England. Somerville occupies an important and conspicuous place in the history of the Nation. One of the most historic sites in Somerville is the "OLD POWDER HOUSE" at the junction of Broadway and Collage Avenue. The Old Powder House was once home to a native American settlements and home to the continental armys munitious depot during the 1775 and 1776 siege of Boston.