Local Businesses
Business themes
This parcel displayed an evolution over time as it morphed from craft and trade industries to banks and law practices. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century the parcel featured many competing businesses with a majority of the businesses on the block being monument and tabloid manufacturers. There was diversity among businesses in the parcel as a few incandescent gas firms existed as well as carriage manufacturers. The block has always had a presence of competition, as there were a number of marble works and boating supply businesses. Competition was commonplace on the parcel but there was also a large artistic presence that allowed the businesses to prosper.
Marble Works
O. M. Wentworth's Monumental Works
E. J. Clark & Co.
Here are two of the many marble works that comprised the parcel. Marble works seemed to have been a popular profession as Arioch Wentworth, E.J Clark, O. M. Wentworth, H. P. Smith, Henry Murray, and a few more owned marble works that operated within the parcel. These marble works, while being places of manufacturing, were also home to extensive marble pieces that decorated the facades of building in Boston. Arioch Wentworth built up his fortune designing facades and decorative pieces that were featured throughout the city. These not only granted the individuals economic benefits from profits but also created an artistic culture around monument work that has left its imprint on Boston today.
Art On the Parcel
Below are some of the beautifully decorated trade cards used by prominent importers Davis, Sacker, & Perkins. These Victorian trade cards each featured the address and name of the business, with the front elegantly showcasing the various spices and condiments that were imported and depicting a biological illustration of the specimen featured. These cards are just one of the examples of art that originated on Haverhill Street.
Marble Art
Not only were Marble works profitable businesses at the time but they were one of the ways to express art in a way that directly impacted the design of the city. With marble facades becoming commonplace throughout Boston, these trade works were an artistic result of the businesses that arose. To the left is an article describing the eccentric Oliver M. Wentworth, whose marble works occupied 45-47 Haverhill Street, and the artwork that came from his profitable business. The work expanded beyond just housing decorations and reflected work in memorials and cemeteries. The artwork that came from this period of business helped to define growing artistic themes within Boston that are still seen today. Some of the artistic facades have been lost, but others are still prominent in the city today.
