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Central street history
Central Street is located on the east side of Boston, in an area commonly referred to as the Financial District. In the late 19th century, this area was dominated by commercial manufacturing and transportation hubs, representing much of Boston’s industrial identity. Central Street runs in an east to west direction, leading right to the Boston Harbor. During this time period, the Boston Harbor was home to many wharfs including the Central Wharf located at the end of Central Street. Additionally, the area around Central Street hosts the US Custom House, large-scale grocery markets including the Quincy Market, and the Union Freight Railroad, all of which contribute significantly to the history of Central Street.
The parcel that this webpage focuses on is 75 to 126 Central Street which constitutes half of one long building as you can see in the image below. This building contributed significantly to Boston’s history of extensive trade and manufacturing which helped to secure the city’s status during the industrial era. Interestingly, rather than demolishing the entire structure, the Central Street building was cut in half during the construction of the Central Artery in the mid-1900s.
works cited
Aero-Scenic Airviews. “Custom House, 1929.” Digital Commonwealth, 1929, www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:8k71nw27c.
“Atlascope Boston.” Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center, atlascope.leventhalmap.org/#view:map.
Boston Housing Authority. Union Freight Railroad on Atlantic Avenue. 1964, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Union_Freight_Railroad_on_Atlantic_Avenue.jpg.
Boston Housing Authority. Union Freight Railroad Yard. 1960, www.flickr.com/photos/cityofbostonarchives/9317250226/in/photostream/.
“Chase's Liquid Glue.” Digital Commonwealth, 1870, www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:4x51hw71k.
“Chase's Superior Prepared Paste.” Vermont Farmer, 19 Mar. 1875.
“CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.” Boston Daily Globe, 30 Oct. 1872, p. 4.
“CUT OFF END OF PIER.: Steamer Bunker Hill, Ice Covered, Had Hard Task Docking at Central Wharf.” Boston Daily Globe, 5 Jan. 1910, p. 9.
“DUNBAR FELL OVERBOARD: Dorchester Man Was Saved from Drowning Off Central Wharf by Mirio Galini and Others.” Boston Daily Globe, 11 July 1906, p. 1.
Favor, Warren E. “Iew of Custom House Tower from Central Street, Boston.” Digital Commonwealth, 1940, www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:qv33ts134.
Folsom, Augustine H. “Nos. 106-108 Central St. Running through to Nos. 209-211 State St.” Digital Commonwealth, 1900, www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:cf95jk90b.
“FOUND BY HARBOR POLICE.: Body of Unknown Man Picked Up Near Central Wharf--Police Be- Lieve It Is Case of Suicide.” Boston Daily Globe, 18 Oct. 1902, p. 4.
Hallahan, John J. “BIDWELL AND PORTER DOUBLES CHAMPIONS: Rice and Wheelwright Next in State Tennis Bunday and Dell Eliminated in Hard Battle at Brae-Burn.” Boston Daily Globe, 1 June 1920, p. 6.
Jones, Leslie. “Atlantic Ave. Showing Elevated Station at Rowe's Wharf, from U.S. Custom Appraisers' Stores.” Digital Commonwealth, 1932, www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:5h73qb044.
Jones, Leslie. “Custom House Tower during Central Artery Construction.” Digital Commonwealth, 1952, www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:8c97mj44d.
Jones, Leslie. “SS New York at India Wharf and Central Wharf.” Digital Commonwealth, 1930, www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:5h73s4403.
Jones, Leslie. “State Street Leading to Long Wharf and Central Street Leading to Central Wharf.” Digital Commonwealth, 1943, www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:8c97nf84x.
Lenscraft Photos, Inc. Downtown Boston from Charlestown, Railroad Yard, Boston, MA. Boston, 1955.
Leon, Abdalian H. “Taken from Custom House Tower, Boston, Massachusetts.” Digital Commonwealth, 1925, www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:fj2375703.
“MEN AND HORSES CAUGHT BY FLAMES WHILE AT WORK: Fierce and Rapid Sweep of Fire Follows Explosions at Central Wharf. LIST OF THE INJURED.” Boston Daily Globe, 17 Apr. 1907, p. 3.
“NEW ALLY CAUSES FEUD TO FLARE: Animal Protection Society Joins Against the Union Freight. Death Trap For Horses, Teamsters Calim---Road's Charter Unusual.” Boston Daily Globe, 16 Jan. 1913, p. 11.
“NOT A VICTIM OF FOUL PLAY: Body of Girl Found at Central Wharf. Congenital Heart Disease the Cause of Death. Police Continue Search For Companions.” Boston Daily Globe, 14 Jan. 1911, p. 16.
“POLICE SAVE SAILOR.: Dennis Curran Falls into the Water While Attempting to Board a Steamer at Central Wharf.” Boston Daily Globe, 26 Jan. 1915, p. 13.
“Semi-Annual Sale of Odd Lots.” Boston Daily Globe, 17 Jan. 1892, p. 28.
Spencer, Grant. “Central Artery Traffic and Haymarket Square, Boston.” Digital Commonwealth, 1972, www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:bk128b302.
“TRACK CHANGES TO SAVE HORSES: Improvements Made by Union Freight. Pres Rowley of M. S. P. C. A. and Teamsters Pleased. Mission of Commissioner Bishop a Success.” Boston Daily Globe, 12 Feb. 1913, p. 18.
“Two New England Pairs in Pinehurst Doubles Title Clash--Tentative Change Made in Crimson Crew: LONGWOOD PAIR IN NORTH-SOUTH FINAL Wheelwright and Bidwell Put Out Voshell and Wright in Easy Fashion at Pinehurst.” Boston Daily Globe, 4 Apr. 1922, p. 21.
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