If that really is the old Hollis Theatre (painted sign on building in top left of photo) then perhaps it's the stretch of Washington between Kneeland and Oak Streets on this old map: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e...
The sign "Hollis Street Theater" offers a clue. A search found this page http://www.thebostonspy.org/articles/opening-of-th...
According to the map at the bottom it appears to have been located in the Chinatown area near Tufts NEMC. According to the article the theater opened in Nov 1885 so I would date the photo from that time to about early 1900s.
According to a link to old theaters - the Hollis was located at 14 Hollis Street - a small road linking Tremont and Washington where NEMC is now. From the perspective it looks like this is Washington at the corner of what was then Eliot - I think Stuart now? If I flip the map the other way it could be Tremont and what was Warren roughly where the transportation building stands now?
With the age of the buildings - dirt roads, not electric etc. - I would say about 1898.
This location today is in the middle of Eliot Norton Park where the round church is. Tremont used to curve through it. The building with the 306 on it is 306 Tremont and you can just make out its at the corner of Pleasant. This would become the location on Tremont for the Pleasant Street incline (streetcar portal from central subway) The next side street visible could be where Shawmut fed into Tremont (if the two streets intersected then).
Definitely Eliot Norton Park. Had to be pre-1897 when that block became the Pleasant St station. Pleasant Street Portal
Shawmut and Tremont did indeed intersect at that time. The horse poking out next to the Sweeney sign would be entering Tremont from Shawmut. The street past the next building was Common St.
The Hollis Street Theatre was built in 1885 and demolished in 1935. It was located roughly where the China Town WMCA is now between Washington and Tremont.
Here is a link to a map from the era that shows the foot print of the theatre..
My guess is that this is the view from Termont given the angle of the side street, that could be Common Street or the continuation of Warrenton, according to the map above.
Comments
Too Easy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollis_Street_Theatre
Which would make it in Chinatown somewhere, most likely where the Tufts Medical Center garage is now.
Picture is prior to its demo in 1935
Washington Street
If that really is the old Hollis Theatre (painted sign on building in top left of photo) then perhaps it's the stretch of Washington between Kneeland and Oak Streets on this old map: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e...
Where Tufts Medical/Floating Hospital/Wang Theater sit now: http://goo.gl/maps/gY9Yr
1913
Kismet played the Hollis St. Theater in 1913
this is probably Washington St. or Tremont St., theater district area
The sign "Hollis Street
The sign "Hollis Street Theater" offers a clue. A search found this page http://www.thebostonspy.org/articles/opening-of-th...
According to the map at the bottom it appears to have been located in the Chinatown area near Tufts NEMC. According to the article the theater opened in Nov 1885 so I would date the photo from that time to about early 1900s.
14 Hollis Street
According to a link to old theaters - the Hollis was located at 14 Hollis Street - a small road linking Tremont and Washington where NEMC is now. From the perspective it looks like this is Washington at the corner of what was then Eliot - I think Stuart now? If I flip the map the other way it could be Tremont and what was Warren roughly where the transportation building stands now?
With the age of the buildings - dirt roads, not electric etc. - I would say about 1898.
This location today is in the
This location today is in the middle of Eliot Norton Park where the round church is. Tremont used to curve through it. The building with the 306 on it is 306 Tremont and you can just make out its at the corner of Pleasant. This would become the location on Tremont for the Pleasant Street incline (streetcar portal from central subway) The next side street visible could be where Shawmut fed into Tremont (if the two streets intersected then).
Agreed
Definitely Eliot Norton Park. Had to be pre-1897 when that block became the Pleasant St station. Pleasant Street Portal
Shawmut and Tremont did indeed intersect at that time. The horse poking out next to the Sweeney sign would be entering Tremont from Shawmut. The street past the next building was Common St.
Hmmmnnn...
Train sign says "Norwich Line, NERR" but it looks old. It was leased by the NH in 1898. So, not a definite date there.
Kismet duckduckgo'ed to a 1911 play. It says 'Tremont' at the top of the bill.
Sign in the middle says, 'Olivette' at the bottom.
'306' is probably Tremont.
Where? 306 Tremont. When? 1911 or thereafter. Would have replied sooner, but got lost in links about Sarah Bernhart.
Hollis Street theatre
The Hollis Street Theatre was built in 1885 and demolished in 1935. It was located roughly where the China Town WMCA is now between Washington and Tremont.
Here is a link to a map from the era that shows the foot print of the theatre..
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec...
My guess is that this is the view from Termont given the angle of the side street, that could be Common Street or the continuation of Warrenton, according to the map above.
The Answer!
Thanks for playing everyone! This is Tremont Street between Pleasant St and Shawmut Ave on July 20, 1895
Engineered Obsolescence
Wow, the roads in 1895 in that area are a heckuva lot better than they are now.