Construction may be the bane of your commute, but decades of infrastructure improvements mean that the history of Boston’s streets is well-documented. These vintage shots were captured by the Public Works Department, the Transit Commission, and the City of Boston Archives. While their original purpose was presumably to track progress on specific projects, they now provide an intriguing glimpse back into Boston’s past.
1. In 1905, this ornate building stood at 152-160 Washington Street. Apparently, whisky endures because Dewar’s, founded in 1846, is still in business today.
2. Taken in November of 1911, this photo shows 573-571 Dorchester Avenue. The building on the left of the shot looks unchanged, but it’s now flanked by the Andrew Station on the Red Line and Dunkin’ Donuts — not a horse to be seen!
3. This shot was taken from the Lenox Hotel in October 1912. The hotel remains a fixture on Boylston Street, although this area looks quite different today.
4. This image depicts Webster Street in 1930. Although this East Boston street is no longer cobbled and there are no signs of streetcar tracks today, the actual buildings don’t seem to have changed much.
6. Boylston Street approaching the Public Garden, with the Arlington Street Church visible next to the tree. This image shows the street in the 1930s and proves that there was lots of traffic and a lack of parking even then!
11. This gives a whole new meaning to the term "moving house." In September 1950, this three-decker home was moved along Bennington Street in Eastie. It was one of 26 buildings that were relocated in order to expand the East Boston Tunnel Line.
