4-56 Salem street
Gianna K.
about salem street
Situated in Boston's North End, Salem Street was lined with mostly three-story brick buildings on either side, housing various tenants and shops. A long-time bustling, vibrant commercial street in the North End, Salem Street tells many stories: a close-knit, hardworking Jewish community, fighting for their rights to do business; the home of a beloved Italian Christmas tradition; the story of a Jewish family involved in the community; a location where many homes were permanently displaced to accommodate citywide improvements. All of these stories are told here.
stories on salem street
Closed on the sabbath
A large portion of this section of Salem Street consisted of Jewish tenants and shopkeepers. In 1895, a citywide edict was passed, requiring all businesses to remain closed on Sundays- sparking controversy in the neighborhood.
Italian traditions
This section of the North End, by the 1930s, was still a bustling shopping street, yet had become heavily influenced by Italian culture. Especially during the holidays, Salem Street was the central location to fulfill Italian tradition.
borofsky family
Among the property owners of Salem Street were the Borofskys, a Jewish family deeply involved in their community and their faith. The Borofsky family took part in many admirable initiatives in the area.
widening of cross st
Traffic congestion was an enduring, ever-worsening problem in the city of Boston. In the early 1930s, a solution was posed and implemented, altering the fabric of the Salem Street neighborhood.