56-90 Cove Street

Elizabeth G.

ABOUT COVE STREET:


Located in between South Station and Chinatown, Cove Street is home to a rich history. My parcel contains 56-90 Cove Street, which is presently the intersection of Kneeland and South Street. This piece of land faced fluctuating changes of infrastructure throughout the years of the 19th century into the early 20th century. By taking a look at the history of the street during this time period, one will see the drastic change that occurred on Cove Street. This Street faced a multitude of issues that interconnected to create a specific narrative and voice for the community. Specifically, one will be able to look at the tenement housing, the Atlantic Avenue bridge construction, and the contrasting resident stories through this website to understand how Cove Street began to unravel and dissipate in the late 19th century.

The Development of Cove Street:

To understand the history of Cove Street and its ultimate finality, one must acquaint themselves with the street through the years. Beginning by looking at Cove Street in 1867, with one of the first Sanborn maps, there was little development within the parcel and no bustling infrastructure had been present. Moving forward a few years to 1874, we see that Cove Street begins to have more inhabitants and a few manufacturing shops pop up such as one built for carpeting. Flashing forwards in the years of 1882 to 1895, the Cove Street parcel truly begins to take afoot with a larger population that included a tenement house, along with a wagon manufacturing company. Yet, the year 1898 displays the removal of Cove Street which presently displays Atlantic Avenue, demolishing what used to be the parcel.

2-6: Bromley, Atlas of the City of Boston, 1867-1898

3 MAJOR NARRATIVES

The tenement building within Cove Street is an interesting dynamic to view as it incorporates the idea of individual sanitary health and the landowners responsibility for improving house infrastructure.

8: Boston Mass., Atlantic Avenue from Cove Street Bridge, looking north, 1910

The Atlantic Avenue Bridge is a key component of Cove Street, one of the most vital factors, ultimately leading to the dismissal of the street.

9: Census Place, 1870 United States Federal Census, 1870

What truly creates the narrative for Cove Street are the residents that are from the parcel who create an image on the street of elegance while proving perseverant tendencies.

References

Cover Image: Hopkins, G.M., City Atlas of Boston, Massachusetts, Philadelphia : G.M. Hopkins., 1882. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.

Figure 1, 3, and 7: Sanborn. Insurance Maps of Boston. New York : Sanborn Map & Publishing Co., 1882. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.

Figure 2: Sanborn, D.A. Insurance Map of the City of Boston. New York : [D.A. Sanborn], 1867. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.

Figure 4: Hopkins, G.M. Atlas of the County of Suffolk, Massachusetts. Philadelphia : G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1874. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.

Figure 5: Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston, Mass. Philadelphia : G.W. Bromley & Co., 1895. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.

Figure 6: Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston, Boston Proper. Philadelphia : G.W. Bromley & Co., 1898. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.

Figure 8: Boston (Mass.). "Atlantic Avenue from Cove Street Bridge, looking northerly." Photograph. December 23, 1910. Digital Commonwealth, https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth-oai:h415s205b (accessed May 08, 2021).

Figure 9: Year: 1870; Census Place: Boston Ward 6, Suffolk, Massachusetts; Roll: M593_643; Page: 15A