stellarfun
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From part of a comment Fitchburg line made in the Julie Hall thread.
A rather fascinating narrative on the history of the three decker.
https://www.dotnews.com/2018/profiling-still-ubiquitous-and-profitable-boston-three-decker
And I learned that Ted Williams lived in a three decker while playing for the Sox,
(Also: profit grubbing? Nonprofit developers didn't build Beacon Hill, Back Bay, North End, all triple deckers, etc)
A rather fascinating narrative on the history of the three decker.
https://www.dotnews.com/2018/profiling-still-ubiquitous-and-profitable-boston-three-decker
^^^ From the narrative.Early on, variants of three-deckers were solid investment properties for wealthy builders who could live in one house and use neighboring ones for rental income. But the housing stock was maligned by anti-immigrant groups, said independent museum consultant Deedee Jacobsohn at the April conference at All Saints Church in Ashmont. Housing organizations, partnering with the Immigration Restriction League, claimed they were made with balloon framing, were structurally shoddy, susceptible to fire, and had crumbling roofs and chimneys.
In a 1911 report, the Massachusetts Civil League and the State Housing Committee wrote: “Foreigners are coming in increasing numbers, and with them are also coming the shack, the converted house which has seen better days, the familiar frame tenement, and the wooden “three decker” which, besides being objectionable on other grounds, is a flimsy fire-trap and a menace to human life.”
And I learned that Ted Williams lived in a three decker while playing for the Sox,