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Within this parcel, one may discover a part of the rich history associated with the North End including the development of the famed Hanover Street. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th century, N. Centre St had operated closely with North Street as many of the streets' properties were owned by similar men and enterprises. On the corner of the Hanover and N. Centre St., the Ratshesky family had owned the same property for over 30 years and helped to the mold the prominent Boston figure A.C. Ratshesky. This block of Hanover Street was also home to various hotels and public housing, which were unfortunately the scene of various scandalous activities. Through observing various depictions and photos of Hanover St., it is evident that this road was a major component of the North End and Boston as a city.
Through the research conducted, the most valuable information gathered had been found between 1880 and 1920, a period of immense change throughout the country. These streets provide valuable insights into the commercial status of Boston as well as the prominent bankers and landowners of Boston.
Pictured above, a young lad enjoying a frank on the bustling corner of Hanover and Blackstone St.
Jones, Leslie. "Hotdog stand in North End, corner of Hanover and Blackstone Street." Photograph. 1937. Digital Commonwealth,
The above images show the changes, via Bromley maps, in the parcel in 10 year gaps that span from 1883-1938. As the various maps display, there was little turnover amongst property owners.
Citations
Bromley, George Washington and Walter S. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1883. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlaScope.
Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1895. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlaScope.
Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1908. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlaScope.
Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1917 Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlaScope.
Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1928. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlaScope.
Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1938. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlaScope.
The Three Topics Below will Help to Learning More About This Unique Parcel of Land and The Stories It Possesses
Click above to learn more about the influential family that owned the corner of Hanover and N.Centre St for over 30 years!
Picture credits: Personal record of Abraham Captaine Ratshesky (1956), Boston (Mass.). Record Commissioners. Boston (Mass.). Common Council.1890/1892
The interesting history surrounding the various hotels and lodging houses that occupied Hanover St. can be found in the Hanover Street Hotels link!
Photo credits: Boston Gas Light Company. "Blackstone Street, Boston." Photograph. 1882. Digital Commonwealth,
Curious as to why Hanover St. has been a focal point of the North End since the 19th century? Learn more by clicking the North End Investments link.
Jones, Leslie. "Hanover Street in the North End decorated by Italians for Saints Day." Photograph. 1930. Digital Commonwealth
What Does This Parcel Look Like Today?
A Modern Aerial View Of the Parcel
Pictured on the left is what 167-199 Hanover and N. Centre St. look like in modern Boston, from an aerial perspective. The addresses and buildings that once occupied these roads no longer remain, and have become part of the Rose Kennedy Greenway Project that spans throughout the city. While Hanover Street is still a fundamental part of the North End, North Centre St. has been removed in the midst of the reconstruction of the city. On the right side of the photo, one can see the South Canal Fountain complementing the Carolyn Lynch Garden. This renovation demonstrates the city of Boston's commitment to providing green spaces and the fluidity of city's design. The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a representation of how a city changes to fit the needs of its inhabitants.
Information regarding the Rose Kennedy Greenway and aerial image were found at: https://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/map/?location=carolyn-lynch-garden-on-the-greenway
Research Process and Helpful Links
After consulting with Professor Finstein to help guide my research, I began to narrow the story of my parcel into three subsections. The context of these sections was largely determined by the amount of information I could gather on a particular name on a map, street number, or any larger connections to my parcel. Observing the changes seen in the names of buildings and their owners throughout the years on AtlaScope allowed me to have a better understanding of which parts of my parcel could be investigated better than others. Being able to search through a historical database of Boston Daily Globe articles, I was able to build my stories into something worth telling and had used various other resources to complement the information gathered. In my analysis of this information, I considered larger ideas that were discussed in class meetings such as infrastructure, livability of a city, necessary funding and culture. This process has allowed me to think beyond what is clear and present in a city and attempt to determine how and why a particular city came to be.
Helpful Research links:
https://atlascope.leventhalmap.org
https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/
http://dca.lib.tufts.edu/features/bostonstreets/people/directories.html
https://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/map/?location=carolyn-lynch-garden-on-the-greenway
Bibliography
- Bromley, George Washington and Walter S. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1883. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlasScope.
- Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1895. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlasScope.
- Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1908. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlasScope.
- Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1917 Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlasScope.
- Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1928. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlasScope.
- Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co. 1938. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, via AtlasScope.
- Jones, Leslie. "Hotdog stand in North End, corner of Hanover and Blackstone Street." Photograph. 1937. Digital Commonwealth,
- Personal record of Abraham Captaine Ratshesky (1956), Boston (Mass.). Record Commissioners. Boston (Mass.). Common Council.1890/1892.
- Boston Gas Light Company. "Blackstone Street, Boston." Photograph. 1882. Digital Commonwealth.
- Jones, Leslie. "Hanover Street in the North End decorated by Italians for Saints Day." Photograph. 1930. Digital Commonwealth
- https://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/map/?location=carolyn-lynch-garden-on-the-greenway
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