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Before there was a library in Copley Square

McKim building under construction

The BPL has posted scores of photos from the construction of the McKim building in Copley Square in the 1880s. Here's the view down Boylston Street toward Trinity Church sometime in August, 1888.

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Harvard Medical School was just behind the photographer where the 'new' library wing is, the Museum of Fine Arts was where the Copley Plaza is now, and Huntington ave. went through to Boylston st. about all that's the same now is the Old South Church and Trinity.

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Great photos and a great excuse to promote Stephen Puleo's latest book "A City So Grand" that chronicles goings-on in Boston from 1850 to 1900. It really is great reading, will give you huge chunks of trivial knowledge to lord over people in Universal Hub postings and bar arguments, and helps make the old buildings and photos like these of the BPL construction seem more alive. Those were interesting times and it's amazing how many of the conversations and obsessions that get knocked about on this site and others are really not all that far removed from those of that day.

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And get his book "Dark Tide" at the same time. The great molasses flood!

And yeah, A City so Grand is a great read.

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