Some places in Boston, like the Common and Beacon Hill, have stayed the same over the centuries; however, even when historic buildings survive, the appearance of the city surrounding them is often vastly different. Land was drained and filled in and development projects launched in the name of urban renewal forever changed the face of Boston. These “then and now” photographs reveal what 10 places in the city looked like over one hundred years ago and how they appear today.
- Here is the Boston Harbor around 1906, depicting Central Wharf and Long Wharf…
Wikimedia Commons/Detroit Publishing Co.
…and here’s Long Wharf now.
Flickr/Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
- This is what the Church of Christian Science looked like in 1900…
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown, Library of Congress
…and now.
Flickr/Sarah Nichols
- An aerial glimpse of Boston Common and its surroundings in 1925…
Flickr/Boston Public Library
…and the Common now.
Wikimedia Commons/AbhiSuryawanshi
- This 1909 amateur football game took place on the Beacon Hill side of the Common.
Wikimedia Commons/Lewis Hine
This is what the same area looks like now.
Flickr/Darcy
- South Station around 1905…
Wikimedia Commons/Detroit Photographic Co.
…and now.
Flickr/rda
- The Old State House in 1906…
Wikimedia Commons/Detroit Publishing Co.
…and now. Although it’s remained the same, look at the buildings around it!
Flickr/denisbin
- This shot depicts Scollay Square in 1906.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
It was demolished to make way for Government Center.
Flickr/zemistor
- The Suffolk County Courthouse, a.k.a John Adams Courthouse, was constructed in 1893. These photos show the building in 1906…
Wikimedia Commons/Detroit Publishing Co.
…and here it is today.
Flickr/C Hanchey
- The Park Street T Station in 1912…
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
…and now.
Flickr/Rose Trinh
- Finally, Fenway Park in 1914…
Wikimedia Commons/Bain News Service
…and now.
Flickr/Jack Heddon
Did these images surprise you? Are there any demolished buildings or places in Boston that you wish were still around? Let us know in the comments or on the Only In Boston Facebook page. You may also be interested in seeing some of the oldest photos ever taken in Boston.
Wikimedia Commons/Detroit Publishing Co.
Flickr/Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown, Library of Congress
Flickr/Sarah Nichols
Flickr/Boston Public Library
Wikimedia Commons/AbhiSuryawanshi
Wikimedia Commons/Lewis Hine
Flickr/Darcy
Wikimedia Commons/Detroit Photographic Co.
Flickr/rda
Wikimedia Commons/Detroit Publishing Co.
Flickr/denisbin
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
Flickr/zemistor
Flickr/C Hanchey
Flickr/Rose Trinh
Wikimedia Commons/Bain News Service
Flickr/Jack Heddon
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