History of Forest Hills

FOREST HILLS is the most complex area of Jamaica Plain. Transformed by transportation over two centuries of time, Forest Hills challenges the definition of neighborhood. About a mile long and a half-mile across, Forest Hills has been shaped by geography more than any other part of Jamaica Plain. It sits in a valley at the confluence of two streams flanked by two hills on which have been landscaped two Boston landmarks and American institutions: the Arnold Arboretum and Forest Hills Cemetery. The hills that channeled the streams also channeled transportation routes, beginning in 1806 with the Norfolk and Bristol Turnpike (today Washington Street). Even in the 21st century, the removal of the Casey Overpass and the Arborway redesign coupled with another rebuild of the Forest Hills terminal and the addition of 665 new living units has meant the complexity of Forest Hills continues.

By Richard Heath [original article 2013 with additional material added in 2023]

Read the original article here.

Read the 2023 update here.

Click here for a gallery of images that accompany this article.