Hey, need anything at Helen's or Levenson's?

By adamg on Wed, 10/26/2022 - 12:16pm

The folks at the Boston City Archives wonder if you can place this scene. See it larger.

Neighborhoods:

Boston

Topics:

History

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Comments

Is that Mechanics Hall in the left background?

By Ron Newman on Wed, 10/26/2022 - 1:02pm.

If so, this is Huntington Avenue, looking towards Copley Square, about where the Prudential Center is today.

Meridian St & Havre St?

By stephen m on Wed, 10/26/2022 - 1:03pm.

This looks a lot like Meridian St. in Eastie from the intersection of Havre St.

East Boston

By Charles Bahne on Wed, 10/26/2022 - 1:21pm.

Meridian Street, looking north, towards Central Square, from just north of Paris Street.

The big tower in the center is the Methodist church at the corner of Meridian, Havre, and Decatur, now a vacant lot where the Callahan Tunnel exits.

The steeple to the right of that was the First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Meridian and London. The church is still there, minus the steeple, and Google Maps says it's now "Iglesia La Luz del Mundo" ("Light of the World Church").

Levenson's was at 59 Meridian Street.

Helen's was in the Gem Theatre building, where the post office is today.

I'd like to go for McCann's ice cream, myself.

Charles Bahne is probably

By Don't Panic on Thu, 10/27/2022 - 1:16am.

Charles Bahne is probably right but I get a distinct Uphams Corner vibe from that image.

The Answer

By Boston City Archives on Thu, 10/27/2022 - 9:25am.

Thanks for playing, folks! This is indeed Paris Street at Meridian Street in East Boston. We're dating it between 1930-1940. You can see a higher res version of the images here: https://cityofboston.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_70a4416f-704...

I'd say closer to 1930

By cybah on Thu, 10/27/2022 - 9:44pm.

I'd say closer to 1930.. The cars for one. But aren't alot of these photos pre-construction of something. The Sumner Tunnel was built in 1932.That street wouldn't look at all like that after the tunnel...

So yeah I think closer to 1930, if not 1930 itself.