"Dirty Old Boston"

[DZH22]

7 Hudson St 1925 by clamshack, on Flickr

Atlantic Av EL Rowes Wharf 7-11-32 by clamshack, on Flickr

 

[Charlie_mta]

Great pics ^ of the Atlantic Avenue elevated line. That guy has a great Flickr site. It's amazing to think that back in the day, Boston had both freight (Union Freight RR) and passenger (Atlantic Avenue El) rail lines directly linking North and South Stations. Here is his pic of a Union Freight RR locomotive on the route:

Union Freight RR by clamshack, on Flickr

 

[The EGE]

1960s postcard of the Dewey Square Tunnel

 

[Charlie_mta]

1960s postcard of the Dewey Square Tunnel
View attachment 31305

Looks like it might have been taken from the old Travelers Building, where I worked in the 1960s.

 

[DZH22]

This user had a bunch but here's the standouts IMO.

ALAM bag - IM slides - 079 by Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection, on Flickr

ALAM bag - IM slides - 113 by Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection, on Flickr

I still can't believe this hotel was torn down. Boston has so few pre-war buildings over 14 floors, yet I can think of 3 that were razed: Madison Hotel, the original building at 75 State Street, and the original building where the Pregnant Building now stands. Brutal.

ALAM bag - IM slides - 058 by Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection, on Flickr

ALAM bag - IM slides - 111 by Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection, on Flickr

ALAM bag - IM slides - 141 by Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection, on Flickr

 

[stick n move]

Do you know of any pictures showing what was at 75 state st and the pregnant building before?

 

[Hubman]

Do you know of any pictures showing what was at 75 state st and the pregnant building before?

I believe DZ was referring to the old Chamber of Commerce Building of 1923 which was replaced by the pregnant building, and Fiske Building of 1889 which was defaced by several midcentury "renovations" and demolished to make way for 75 State:

 

[atlantaden]

 

[DZH22]

1994-08-23 - BOSTON - downtown aerial - 001 by Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection, on Flickr

1994-08-23 - BOSTON - downtown aerial - 002 by Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection, on Flickr

 

[Arenacale]

BWB-01-071 by Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection, on Flickr

 

[DZH22]

https://buildingsofnewengland.files.wordpress.com/2022/08/img_5099.jpg

 

[DZH22]

East Boston Central Square Meridian St looking north 1908 by clamshack, on Flickr

East Boston Maverick Square c1910 trolley detail and Maverick House by clamshack, on Flickr

Maverick Square Trolleys Tunnel Meridian St Maverick House Hotel by clamshack, on Flickr

 

[DZH22]

Boston Skyline 1941 from Cambridge Side Charles River - Cushman Slide by clamshack, on Flickr

 

[Charlie_mta]

Boston Skyline 1941 from Cambridge Side Charles River - Cushman Slide by clamshack, on Flickr

By the 70s the raw sewerage in the river had gotten to bad that the regatta rowers definitely did not want to ever fall into the water. I remember seeing large masses of suds and sewerage bound up together floating on the river. Glad it's been all cleaned up.

 

[goody]

^I am pretty sure its not all been cleared up, there is still combine storm water and sewer lines which in heavy rain overflow to the Charles which is why you cant swim in the Charles unless it hasn't rained in a while to let bacteria levels drop.

That said, I am sure its improved since the 70s...

 

[atlantaden]

Holy crap, I love this pic!

 

[Arenacale]

View attachment 32061Holy crap, I love this pic!

Photos that should be an album cover

 

[DZH22]

Boston Skyline Viewed From Arnold Arobretum (2) by Ron Gilbert, on Flickr

ALAM bag - IM slides - 002 by Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection, on Flickr

 

[Charlie_mta]

Photos that should be an album cover

Would''ve been a good Pink Floyd album cover.

 

[DZH22]

https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/images/q_auto,fl_lossy/v1671201833/cnslt9me7hsjrcoac26z/curatorial-introduction-to-building-blocks-boston-stories-from-urban-atlases.jpg