In the 18th and early 19th centuries in New England a common was an area in the center of a town that any resident could use as grazing land for their livestock. Eventually, as can be seen in this 1905 postcard of the common in Greenfield, Massachusetts, they evolved into carefully maintained parks with mown lawns, plantings, statuary, and fountains.  To the left is Bank Row, named after the two banks that monopolized its length. On the right are the courthouse, Second Congretational Church, and the 1796 Hollister House (designed by noted architect Asher Benjamin).