As we walk through the streets of Boston, we know we’re traveling along roads and by buildings that existed long before we did; however, viewing historic photos of the city helps the scope of that history to really sink in. All of these photos are well over a century old and provide fascinating glimpses into what life was like in 19th century Boston.
- This photo, taken in 1869, shows members of the First National Photographic Convention posing in the Public Garden.
Wikimedia Commons/James Wallace Black
- A horse and carriage outside the stores on Washington Street, in 1860.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
- This is what Tremont Street looked like in 1869!
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
- Court Street in 1870.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown Before Government Center was built, the street was much longer.
- The Pemberton School for the Deaf in 1871. Alexander Graham Bell can be seen sitting on the top step!
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
- The Great Boston fire of 1872 led to the death of 14 people and demolished hundreds of buildings downtown. This image, taken just after the fire, hints at the level of destruction the city suffered.
Wikimedia Commons/City of Boston City of Boston Archives from West Roxbury, United States
- Although you can still see butter sculptures today, this sculpting medium was pretty popular in the 19th century.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown It cost 25 cents to view Caroline S. Brooks’ work, shown here with the artist, when it was displayed in Boston’s Amory Hall in 1877.
- Charles Sumner served as a U.S. Senator for Massachusetts and was a fervent Abolitionist. This photo was taken of the Shaw Honor Guard surrounding the casket at his funeral in 1874.
Wikimedia Commons/EFSmith
- A parade through Quincy Market in 1876.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
- The Union Club, which still stands on Park Street, in 1875.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown Founded in 1863, this social club was intended for those who supported the Union during the Civil War.
- Scollay Square in 1877, before it was torn down to make way for Government Center.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
- Following the death of President Garfield, Boston Theatre was draped in his honor.
Wikimedia Commons/Stebbins This photograph was taken on September 20, 1881. This is the second Boston Theatre (the first one was torn down in 1852) and it was able to seat 3,000 people!
- Irish clam diggers posing on a Boston wharf in 1882.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
- The Bijou Theatre stood on Washington Street from 1882 until 1943, when its failure to meet fire regulations forced it to close. This is what the interior looked like in 1885.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown The Bijou was notable because it was the first theatre in the country to be totally lit by electricity; Thomas Edison personally installed the electrical system here.
- A glance back through time to Pemberton Square in the year 1885. This is what it looked like before it was absorbed by Government Center.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
- Temple Street in Beacon Hill back in 1886.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
- Trinity Church rises in the background of this shot, which depicts dignitaries standing on Boylston and Dartmouth Streets to watch a cornerstone be set in place – presumably for Boston Public Library.
Wikimedia Commons/BPL, Edward Stevens
- This actually looks pretty familiar! Beacon Street hasn’t changed all that much since 1870.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
- Here is a different perspective of Beacon Street a decade later, in 1880.
Wikimedia Commons/BPL
- Apparently, Boston has always been a city that attracted cyclists. Here, the French inventor Pierre Lallemant, perches on a penny-farthing in Boston in 1886.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
- Although the Boston Gas Company Buildings are clearly the focus of this 1888 photograph, the boats behind it have captured my attention.
Wikimedia Commons/City of Boston Archives from West Roxbury, United States
Did the subjects of any of these shots surprise you?
Wikimedia Commons/James Wallace Black
Flickr/Boston Public Library
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
Before Government Center was built, the street was much longer.
Wikimedia Commons/City of Boston City of Boston Archives from West Roxbury, United States
It cost 25 cents to view Caroline S. Brooks’ work, shown here with the artist, when it was displayed in Boston’s Amory Hall in 1877.
Wikimedia Commons/EFSmith
Founded in 1863, this social club was intended for those who supported the Union during the Civil War.
Wikimedia Commons/Stebbins
This photograph was taken on September 20, 1881. This is the second Boston Theatre (the first one was torn down in 1852) and it was able to seat 3,000 people!
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
The Bijou was notable because it was the first theatre in the country to be totally lit by electricity; Thomas Edison personally installed the electrical system here.
Wikimedia Commons/BPL, Edward Stevens
Wikimedia Commons/BPL
Wikimedia Commons/City of Boston Archives from West Roxbury, United States
Despite Boston’s rich past, it’s always been a forward-thinking place. You may be interested in our past article: “Some People Don’t Know That Boston Was The First To Do These 13 Things.”
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