The start of the 20th century was an era of change and innovation in Boston. In 1901, the first section of the Orange Line opened, and King Gillette invented the first disposable safety razor. Two years later, the Boston Police Department used a vehicle as the first ever police cruiser – driven by a chauffeur! In 1908, the North Avenue Bridge was completed and the first pizzeria opened on Prince Street in the North End. And, for the coup de grace, Filene’s opened its Automatic Bargain Basement under the existing department store!
These 14 shots of this time period in Boston help us to better imagine what life in our city was like in the early 1900s:
1. This image shows Dock Square at the start of the 20th century.
7. Taken around 1900, we can see that a tailor’s shop and photography studio once occupied the corner of Sumner and Lewis Streets in Eastie. It looks pretty different today.
The hair and fashion of the time make these students seem more mature – at least to the modern eye – but we’re looking at teenagers.
10. In 1904, The Boston Post, an engraving company, and a tailor all occupied these buildings between 825 and 867 Washington Street. The Boston Post, was a daily newspaper that went out of business in 1956.
