The years immediately after 1929 will always be dominated by the tragedy of the Great Depression; however, in 1930, the economy wasn’t the only issue making headlines. Al Capone’s crimes were in the news, as was the controversy over Prohibition. In the arts, All Quiet on the Western Front won the Oscar for best motion picture and the first Mickey Mouse comic strip was published.
Closer to home, Boston residents saw the city’s first traffic light go up at the intersection of Stuart Street and Tremont Street. The Bruins made it to the Stanley Cup Championship, but were defeated by the Montreal Canadiens.
These snippets create an impression of life back then, but the following 11 photos let you see for yourself what Boston was really like in 1930.
1. This was a big year for Boston, as 1930 marked its tercentenary. The city celebrated its 300th birthday with a week of festivities.
The Charlestown Savings Bank was founded in 1854 and moved into the Thompson Square location in 1876. The bank was good at advertising, which helped it to survive the Depression years.
10. In 1930, this was still City Hall, rather than an office complex.
...even though the architectural landscape has changed.
If you find glimpses of Boston’s past intriguing, you should also check out these historic photos captured during the Great Depression years in our city.
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