40 Amazing Photos Capture Boston Streets in the Winter of 1960

American photographer Nick DeWolf took these amazing photos which offers a nostalgic journey back to the winter of 1960, capturing the grit and grandeur of Boston’s streets under a heavy blanket of snow.

From the elegant, slush-covered brownstones of the Back Bay to the bustling, frost-nipped corners of Downtown Crossing, these images preserve a frozen moment in New England history. You’ll see vintage sedans navigating icy thoroughfares, residents bundled in classic mid-century wool coats, and the quiet, ethereal beauty of the Public Garden in white.

Whether it’s the glow of streetlights reflecting off frozen puddles or the towering snowbanks lining the curbs, these photographs serve as a poignant time capsule of a city defined by its resilience and timeless winter charm.

Anderson Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, 1960

Acorn Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, 1960

Alley, Beacon Hill, Boston, 1960

Beacon Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, 1960

Beacon Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, 1960

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Rare Historic Photos of the Dudley Elevated Railway in the Early 1900s

The Dudley Elevated Railway was an important part of Boston’s early rapid transit system and one of the earliest elevated railways in the United States. It opened in 1901 as part of the Washington Street Elevated, a branch of what became the Orange Line.

The line was operated by the Boston Elevated Railway, which later became part of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). It ran through Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood and connected Dudley Station—now known as Nubian Station—with downtown Boston and other areas.

The elevated railway was built to reduce street-level congestion and offered fast, grade-separated service through densely populated parts of the city. Dudley Station itself was a major transit hub and featured an architecturally distinctive elevated structure.

The elevated line remained in operation for much of the 20th century, but it was eventually closed in 1987 when the Orange Line was rerouted along the Southwest Corridor. The elevated tracks were dismantled, but Dudley Station continued to serve as a major bus terminal and was renamed Nubian Station in 2020.

These vintage photos from City of Boston Archives show what the Dudley Elevated Railway looked like from the early 1900s.

Dudley Street Terminal, Boston, April 8, 1900

Dudley Street Station, surface tracks, east side, Boston, April 12, 1901

Switch Tower junction, Washington Street and Dudley Street, Boston, April 12, 1901

Looking south from Dudley Street switch tower, Boston, April 26, 1901

Looking northerly on Washington Street from Dudley Street switch tower, Boston, April 26, 1901

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Amazing Lantern Slides of the Boston Trade School for Girls, circa 1914

The Boston Trade School For Girls, established as a private school in 1904 and later becoming a Boston Public School in 1909, aimed to train young girls for careers in the custom sewing industry. It was located at 616-620 Massachusetts Avenue.

These amazing lantern slides from City of Boston Archives were used in a presentation by students of the Trade School for Girls around 1914.

Junior Dressmaking class, Trade School for Girls, Boston, circa 1914

Junior Dressmaking class, Trade School for Girls, Boston, circa 1914

Showing how the little folks were fitted and dressed by junior dressmakers, Trade School for Girls, Boston, circa 1914

A fitting on a velvet dress, Trade School for Girls, Boston, circa 1914

Working at the form, Trade School for Girls, Boston, circa 1914

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Inside of the Horace Mann School For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the 19th Century Through Beautiful Photos

Founded in 1869, the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is the oldest public day school for the Deaf and hard of hearing in the United States.

Located in the Allston neighborhood of Boston, the Horace Mann School is a member of Boston Public Schools, and has a long history of providing education for deaf and hard of hearing students.

Several well-known historical figures such as Alexander Graham Bell and Helen Keller have been associated with Horace Mann School in its earlier years. The Horace Mann School serves students from age three to 22.

Here below is a set of beautiful photos from City of Boston Archives that shows students, teachers, classrooms and buildings at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the 19th century.

A geography class with students and teacher Elsa Hobart, Horace Mann School, Boston, November 11, 1872

Students in a workshop class at the Warrenton Street school, Horace Mann School, Boston, circa 1870s

Classroom of Mabel Adams with 8 children, Horace Mann School, Boston, circa 1890s

Classroom of Mabel Adams with 9 children, Horace Mann School, Boston, circa 1890s

Classroom scene with teacher and students, Horace Mann School, Boston, circa 1890s

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45 Fascinating Photos Capture Street Scenes of Boston in the 1890s

In the 1890s, Boston was a bustling, rapidly changing city. The streets were crowded with horse-drawn streetcars and carriages, though electric trolleys were becoming more common. Immigrant workers, especially from Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe, filled neighborhoods like the North End, where busy markets and street vendors added to the vibrancy. Factory workers moved between narrow, crowded tenements and industrial areas, while the city’s elite traveled in carriages through more affluent neighborhoods.

Public spaces like Boston Common offered a break from the busy streets, while the waterfront and shipping docks remained vital hubs of activity. The mix of old-world charm and new industrialization defined the city’s dynamic street life during this period. These fascinating photos from City of Boston Archives captured street scenes of Boston in the 1890s.

Boston City street cars, Tremont St., Boston, circa 1890

Boston City street cars, Washington Street looking north from Summer Street, Boston, circa 1890

Roxbury High School, Warren Street, Boston, 1892

Boston and Maine Station, Haymarket Square, Boston, circa 1894

22-28 Tremont Row, Boston, 1895

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Amazing Photos of the Atlantic Avenue Elevated During Construction

The Atlantic Avenue Elevated was a rapid transit line in Boston that operated from 1901 to 1938. It was part of the city’s early efforts to establish an elevated train system to address growing transportation needs. The line primarily ran along Atlantic Avenue, providing a crucial link between the North End and the South Station area.

The elevated line featured steel structures and allowed for faster travel through the city, alleviating street-level congestion. However, by the late 1930s, it became less popular as more people turned to buses and automobiles. The line was eventually dismantled, with portions of its route replaced by bus services and the development of the subway system.

Today, remnants of the Atlantic Avenue Elevated’s history can be seen in Boston’s urban landscape, but it is largely remembered as part of the city’s transit evolution. These amazing photos from City of Boston Archives that documented the construction of Atlantic Avenue Elevated.

East side of Commercial Street looking south from opposite Richmond Street, November 7, 1899

Harrison Avenue looking north from Way Street, June 22, 1899

Looking northerly on Atlantic Avenue from number 426, September 19, 1899

Looking south along east side of Commercial Street opposite Union Wharf, November 9, 1899

Looking southerly from roof of building number 426 Atlantic Avenue, September 19, 1899

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East Boston, Boston in the 1970s Through Michael Philip Manheim’s Lens

For the Documerica Project (1971-1977), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hired freelance photographers to capture images relating to environmental problems, EPA activities, and everyday life in the 1970s.

Michael Philip Manheim was one of nearly one hundred photographers hired for Documerica. His assignment was to document the noise pollution crises in the East Boston neighborhood around Neptune Road.

Manheim captured powerful images of the deteriorating community, illustrating its uncomfortable proximity to one of the nation’s busiest airports and the plight of residents living under the landing path of jets on the approach to Logan’s busy runways.

Building under construction, off Neptune Road, East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, May 1973

A jet flies over Neptune Road, East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, May 1973

A side of the MBTA (Metropolitan Boston Transit Authority) pedestrian bridge that links the split segments of Neptune Road, East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, May 1973

Airplane coming in for a landing over Neptune Road homes, near Logan Airport, East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, May 1973

Children play ball in front of their homes on Neptune Road. Logan Airport is at the end of the street, East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, May 1973

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30 Fascinating Black and White Photos Capture Street Scenes of Boston in the Late 1970s

In the late 1970s, Boston was a city in transition. The economy was shifting from manufacturing to services, with growth in finance, education, healthcare, and technology. Urban renewal projects changed the skyline but sparked controversies over gentrification and displacement. The busing crisis, aimed at desegregating public schools, led to widespread protests and violence, deeply affecting the social climate.

Politically, Mayor Kevin White led modernization efforts but faced criticism for handling urban issues. The cultural scene was vibrant, with a strong music, arts, and sports presence, while neighborhoods retained distinct ethnic identities. Challenges included crime, economic disparities, and the lingering effects of urban decay.

These fascinating black and white photos were taken by Meredith Jacobson Marciano that show street scenes of Boston in the late 1970s.

Boston street vendor, Massachusetts, 1975

Boston. Buzzcocks Financial Zone, Massachusetts, July 1979

Boston. church garden near Arlington T stop, Massachusetts, July 1978

Boston. Dead Boys, Financial Zone, Massachusetts, July 1979

Boston. Dover station, Massachusetts, circa late 1970s

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Christmas Shopping in the 1940s Photographed by Leslie Jones

Born 1886 in Cotuit, Massachusetts, photographer Leslie Jones was orphaned at an early age and attended the Boston Asylum and Farm School for Indigent Boys on Thompson Island. He was interested in photography while in school.

Jones worked as a wooden pattern maker at the Sturtevant Aeroplane Company since at least 1917. He freelanced as a photographer for the Boston Herald-Traveler starting in 1917. By 1920 he was still working as a pattern maker, but for a ship builder.

After losing two fingers in an industrial accident he joined the Herald-Traveler staff as a full-time photographer by at least 1930. He spent 39 years at the newspaper both as a freelancer and as a full-time employee.

His photographs document both everyday life and portraits of newsmakers and celebrities in Boston, Massachusetts. Jones died in 1967, in Boston, Massachusetts, aged 81. These vintage photos were taken by Leslie Jones that show Boston ladies go Christmas shopping in the 1940s.

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40 Candid Photos of Boston Hips on Charles Street, Beacon Hill in the Late 1960s

“Nick DeWolf is a photographer of national renown and has recently put his talent to a somewhat unusual use in aid of his latest crusade. Nick has spearheaded the effort to get the Hippies off the Hill - mainly because of his deep concern with the extent to which heavy drugs have become prevalent in this area.

Unlike the average citizen who complains to his congressman or calls City Hall, Nick has printed over 4000 pictures of the people in the area. These comprise an amazing and somewhat sobering collection - one can view guns, needles, money, pills, etc. being passed among a group that includes some very sweet-looking young girls. He has identified to the police the pads and the pushers. He has spoken and written as well.

A full duplicate set of his photos go to the police; a number of runaway children have thus been found by their parents.” - Eugene Lyne, March 26, 1969.

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