Art & LiteratureWest Boston A shirtless man poses for a black and white photograph. He is middle aged with a beard.

Southworth & Hawes: Early Photography in Boston

The partnership of Albert Sands Southworth and Josiah Johnson Hawes revolutionized early photography in the United States, particularly through their exceptional portrait daguerreotypes. Operating from 1843 to 1861, their renowned Scollay Square studio attracted elite clientele, including prominent political, intellectual, and artistic figures, as well as many notable West Enders. Their streetscapes of Scollay Square, the West End, and other Boston neighborhoods, and their commissioned works on historic events, documented Boston during a period of physical and cultural change.

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BusinessImmigrant NeighborhoodNeighborhood LifeSocial & Religious InstitutionsUrban Renewal A brightly colored postcard showing a bustling city square with businesses and people walking.

Scollay Square

Scollay Square was a vibrant entertainment hub in Boston from the mid-19th century to the early 1960s, known for its burlesque theaters, comedy shows, boisterous bars, and eclectic mix of businesses. Located directly next to the West End at the intersection of Cambridge, Court, and Tremont streets, it attracted both locals and out-of-town visitors, including sailors, with its lively nightlife and commercial offerings. The area was demolished in 1962 as part of an urban renewal project, to be replaced by Government Center.

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City PlanningImmigrant NeighborhoodNeighborhood LifeNew BostonTransportation & IndustryUrban RenewalWar Photograph of a man on left in naval uniform having his left arm tattooed by an older man in glasses. Images of tattoo samples line the walls around them.

The Sailors of Scollay Square

Scollay Square was a popular Boston hot spot for nightlife during the first half of the 20th century, with its vaudeville theaters, bars, and sideshow attractions. Long chided by local politicians for its perceived physical and moral decay, in 1963 the City of Boston completely demolished the area as part of an urban renewal project. Though often viewed within the broader context of the West End’s redevelopment, Scollay Square’s final chapter can also be understood through the lens of World War II, the growth of Boston’s Navy Yard, and the demographic shifts at the war’s conclusion.

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