May 20, 2014
Take a walking tour of Brighton’s Oak Square neighborhood on Saturday, May 31 from 10AM to 12 noon. Charlie Vasiliades will be your guide, giving you an overview of the history and landmarks of the square, followed by a hike up Nonantum hill, meandering to the EF Language school property, and ending with a picnic at Chandler’s Pond. You can sign up here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oak-square-architectural-historic-walking-tour-tickets-11559188845
The event is sponsored by Common Boston and several other organizations.
Posted in Brighton, Neighborhood history, Oak Square, Open Space |
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December 10, 2013
Should Harvard’s development for the corner of North Harvard Street and Western Avenue in Allston be designated “Allston Square” rather than “Barry’s Corner,” which is how that section was generally known before it was demolished in the 1960’s? That suggestion, made by a local resident, has provoked a lively discussion on Google groups community forum. Does the neighborhood need a re-branding? How should the history of the fight that led to the forced removal of 71 families be honored? For a history of the area, check out this excellent article by Bill Marchione.
Posted in Allston, Harvard, Neighborhood history, New Construction |
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November 29, 2013
Mayor of Oak Square Charlie Vasiliades tips us off to a new website that includes a focus on the history, as well as the present, of his realm, Squares & Corners. Lots of great stuff.
Posted in Brighton, Neighborhood history, Oak Square |
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June 20, 2013
The Charlesview Residences, which were built to replace the Charlesview Apartments development that Harvard purchased and plans to demolish, which in turn were built to replace the Barry’s Corner neighborhood that was flattened by an urban renewal scheme, will have its ribbon cutting ceremony tomorrow at 12 noon at 400 Western Avenue.
Posted in Allston, Harvard, Neighborhood history, New Construction |
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March 11, 2013
Boston.com is featuring two sets of photos, one of Brighton that compares the same sites today and in years past, and another of Cleveland Circle that illustrates past photography and future plans.
Kudos to Charlie Vasiliades of the BAHS for putting together the Brighton series.
Posted in Brighton, Cleveland Circle, Neighborhood history |
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March 5, 2013
People who made a difference, past and present, are the subject of the new book “Legendary Locals”. The profiles include the Winships and their support for soldiers of George Washington, Olympic gold medal winner Harold Connolly, and present-day state representative Kevin Honan. Bill Marchione, author of “The Bull in the Garden” and a key founder of the BAHS, wrote the foreword.
The author, Linda Mishkin, will have a book signing on April 6th from 1:00 to 3:00PM at the BAHS Heritage Museum/Veronica Smith Center, 20 Chestnut Hill Avenue. She will do a repeat embossing on May 7th from 6:30-8:00PM at the Faneuil Branch Library, 419 Faneuil Street in Oak Square.
Posted in Allston, Brighton, Neighborhood Heroes, Neighborhood history |
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March 5, 2013
Thanks to Matthew in Boston and the Brighton Allston Historical Society, this collection of photos shows views of places in Allston, today and days past.
Matt’s version is here, Boston.com has the same photos but allows you to slide over an image, giving you a different view of the location.
Hat tip Adam at UH.
Posted in Allston, Neighborhood history |
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February 10, 2013
Recently I discovered “Originally from Allston,” a Facebook page devoted to memories of the neighborhood by people who grew up there. Check out the photos.
Posted in Allston, Neighborhood history |
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February 8, 2013
During the Blizzard of ’78 the MBTA kept running, at least until the snow overwhelmed buses and above-ground lines. Photos here of trolleys on Commonwealth Ave in Allston.
H/T to Adam at Universal Hub.
Posted in Allston, MBTA, Neighborhood history |
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January 7, 2013
Inscribed on the back of this photograph: “….Mrs. Eunice Hollum of 152 North Harvard Street is told that her home in background was cleaned up by BRA movers and then closed up while she was at the store, by Steve Golden, one of the leaders against the BRA takeover…”
Thanks to Charlie Vasiliades for the photo.
Allston has suffered a lot over years due to the arrogance and indifference of the BRA.
UPDATE: Charlie V. informs me the photo is from 1969, probably October.
Posted in Allston, Neighborhood history |
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September 24, 2012
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The owner of this property at 10 Parsons Street, Brighton Center (it’s the last house on the right before Washington Street, next to the Sovereign Commerce Bank parking lot) wants to knock it down. His request is the subject of BRA hearing this evening.
Kandu Development purchased this property and the adjacent 423-425 Washington Street in January 2011 for $1.5 million. The property includes the former Minihane’s Florist building, the Sovereign Bank branch, and the parking lot.
Posted in Brighton, Neighborhood history, Uncategorized |
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May 10, 2012
Take a spin through Boston and Cambridge, including Cleveland Circle and Brighton Center, circa 1964. It is amazing how few cars there are on the road. Things look a lot more stylish on Mad Men, but maybe that is just Boston. (h/t to @bostonsnudisco on Twitter)
Posted in Brighton, Brighton Center, Neighborhood history |
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May 4, 2012
Not Allston Rock City or a basement show. This marker, dating from 1729, is being restored.
Posted in Allston, Neighborhood history |
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March 3, 2012
Every five years, Massachusetts town and city officials are required to go for a walk. Specifically, they have to make sure that the markers that designate town lines are in place. Adam at Universal Hub has a neat photo of a marker being checked out on the Newton/Boston line, a map that includes the Bigelow Street are circa 1896, and a link to more photos. Nowadays we rely on things like overnight parking restrictions and resident parking to know what side of the border we are on.
Posted in Neighborhood history |
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