Posted in Boston October 21, 2017 by

This Is What Boston Looked Like 100 Years Ago And It May Surprise You

Around 1917, life in Boston was both vastly different and yet eerily similar. Studying these photos that were taken more than a century ago reveals a city living under the shadow of World War I. Our colleges were focused on expansion, while the cars look charmingly retro to the modern eye. At the same time, Bostonians enjoyed an extensive public transit system and were devoted baseball fans – observations that are still accurate today!

So travel back one hundred years into the past and see if you can spot traces of the city you know and love in these 10 images.

1. Maybe you’ve been aboard the U.S.S. Constitution in Boston Historical Park, but this is what the Boston Navy Yard looked like in 1917.
Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Navy
The ship pictured is the U.S.S. Lynx, an armed motorboat that was used as a patrol vessel and support aircraft between 1917-1919.
2. During 1917, WWI was ongoing. This image shows servicemen in the U.S. Army and Navy marching through Boston.
Wikimedia Commons/Abdalian, Leon H., in the collection of the Boston Public Library
This event took place along Tremont Street, near the intersection with Berkeley.
3. The creation of Boston’s mass transit was fairly well documented. Here, two streetcars travel along Dorchester Street.
Wikimedia Commons/City of Boston
Although the shot was taken in 1917, these particular streetcars date back to before 1903.
4. An entrance to South Station as it appeared a century ago.
Wikimedia Commons/Boston Transit Commission
5. Liberty Bonds being sold in front of Boston Public Library, circa 1917-18.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
In order to help fund WWI, the U.S. borrowed money from the general public, in the form of Liberty Bonds.
6. This image shows both St. Mary’s Hall and Gasson Hall at Boston College.
Flickr/Burns Library, Boston College (photographer Clifton Church)
The body of water in front of them is the Lawrence Basin. Once the creation of Quabbin Reservoir made Lawrence Basin redundant, it was sold to Boston College. The college filled it in, building a stadium in its place.
7. Today, this spot is called Nickerson Field and it is part of Boston University. However, when this shot was taken on opening day in 1915, this was Braves Field.
Wikimedia Commons/Electric Railway Journal
Until 1952, Boston had two baseball teams: the Red Sox and the Braves. That all changed when the owner of the Braves relocated the team to Milwaukee and Braves Field was sold to BU.
8. Can you spot Babe Ruth in this photo of the Red Sox during their 1915 season?
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
9. Louisburg Square in Beacon Hill, as it appeared in 1915.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown
Notable people who have lived here include Charles Bulfinch, Louisa May Alcott, and John Kerry.
10. The corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Kenmore Street in 1915.
Wikimedia Commons/Boston Transit Commission

Which of these photos did you find most interesting? Personally, I’m surprised by how little Louisburg Square has altered with the passage of time!

To compare just how much Boston has changed over the years, check out these “then” and “now” shots taken in virtually the same spot decades – or even centuries – apart.

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