Era
Organizational category for historical articles
The Yellow House at 3 Smith Court One of the few remaining wooden structures on Beacon Hill, the long and narrow house at 3 Smith Court now stands opposite to the Museum of African American History. Over two centuries, the house has been the home to titans of the abolition movement and witnessed a constantly…
The Thriving Jewish Marketplace of Boston’s Old West End Part Two: Deli Meats to Kosher Eats This article is the third part of a series exploring Jewish life in the Old West End. This second part in our business series describes the many options for West Enders to purchase Jewish foods. Bakeries, delis, kosher butchers,…
South Enders vs. The B.R.A.: Urban Renewal in Boston’s South End In post-war Boston, city officials razed several low-income neighborhoods for urban renewal. Among those neighborhoods was the South End, a low-income yet culturally rich area. The story of community resistance to urban renewal in the South End included small victories. But the South End…
The Omnibus: Boston’s First Horse-Powered Public Transit System Boston established its first form of urban public transit—a large horse-drawn carriage known as the omnibus – in 1833. The omnibus was an early step in the creation of Boston’s public transportation system. With lines crossing the West End, and a hub on Brattle Street, the omnibus…
The Thriving Jewish Marketplace of the Old West End Part One: Peddler to Proprietor This article is the second part of a series exploring Jewish life in the Old West End. The first part explored the synagogue life in the neighborhood. This introduction to Jewish businesses in the West End explains the economic path many…
The Angels’ Flight from the Hill: Urban Renewal in L.A.’s Bunker Hill Neighborhood The area of Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles has a rich history. It started as a rugged sandstone highland overlooking a river plain. Later it transitioned from a wealthy residential enclave to a diverse mixed-use community. Like the West End, the…
Uncovering Lindall Place Tucked away in a cozy nook off Cambridge Street, on the border of the West End and Beacon Hill, tiny Lindall Place can easily be overlooked by passersby. The street is modest in size and camouflaged by the elevated Red Line tracks leading to Charles MGH Station from the Beacon Hill Tunnel…
The Signscape of Scollay Square Scollay Square, Boston’s port-side entertainment center, was full of flashing marquees. Directional signs on theatres, peepshows, and taverns helped people find their way through the maze of cobbled streets and guided crowds to transportation or fun. Though Scollay Square was destroyed by urban renewal, the vibrant electric atmosphere has been…
