At the corner of Carolina Avenue and Lee Street in Jamaica Plain sits a charming cottage on an unusually large parcel of land for the surrounding neighborhood. This house, at 101 Carolina Avenue, was the first to be built on the street. Though significant for its age, also important is the role it played in the history of Jamaica Plain. In 1913, the house transformed from a single-family home into the home of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood House Association. This article explores the history of the people who lived within its walls and, later, its life as a settlement house.

VictorianCharlie RosenbergDecember 1, 2020Jenny Nathans, social work

Doyle’s: The Story of American Beer, Politics, and Community

As part of its effort to petition the City of Boston to establish Doyle’s as an Historic Landmark, the Save Doyle’s Team spent months researching and documenting the story of this beloved institution. They have graciously offered to share it here.

Jamaica Plain Historical SocietyMarch 29, 2020

Doyle's Online Collection Launched

The Boston Public Library, Digital Commonwealth, and the Jamaica Plain Historical Society are pleased to announce the launch of a new online collection comprised of items that once hung on the walls of the beloved Doyle’s Café in the Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.

Jamaica Plain Historical SocietyMarch 17, 2020

Egleston Square After Annexation to Boston in 1873

On Oct 7, 1873, Egleston Square (together with Jamaica Plain) was incorporated into the City of Boston. For about 25 years, Egleston Square was the nursery center of Jamaica Plain. The first indication of what annexation meant was public buildings being added to the area.

LocalesJamaica Plain Historical SocietyApril 26, 2019Richard Heath, Egleston

197 Green Street

At first glance, the house at 197 Green Street is unique for its small size and the colorful graffiti that has covered its exterior since 2016. But if we look behind its 1950’s siding, and comb the historical record, we discover that the house is not, as it might first appear, an outdated structure. Rather, the house represents a significant period of time in the development of Jamaica Plain, and of Green Street in particular.

LocalesJamaica Plain Historical SocietyApril 7, 2019Jenny Nathans

The Lions of Forest Hills Cemetery

On the crest of Milton Hill, the highest drumlin in Forest Hills Cemetery, lie two recumbent stone lions shaded by upright Japanese yews, part of a monument honoring the artisan Pietro Caproni.

PeopleCharlie RosenbergMarch 20, 2019Richard Heath

3326 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain

Based on preliminary research, there is strong evidence that the current building at 3326 Washington Street was built around 1851, and was the original primary schoolhouse for the Washington Street/Green Street neighborhood of Jamaica Plain in the new town of West Roxbury. Image courtesy of Digital Commonwealth (From Green Street Station)

LocalesJamaica Plain Historical SocietyMarch 4, 2019Jenny Nathans, School

The Owners of Hellenic Hill

The majestic backdrop to Jamaica Pond, Hellenic Hill, has a storied history. Although known as Hellenic Hill since about 1968, probably because of the alliteration, for three centuries it was called Spring Hill. Few sections of Jamaica Plain hold in their history so many famous names.

Charlie RosenbergFebruary 10, 2019

A Brief History of 18 Bartlett Square in Maps

A history of one building in Jamaica Plain - 18 Bartlett Square - that uses maps to tell the story.

LocalesJamaica Plain Historical SocietyDecember 20, 2018Helen Kendall, Maps