Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts tagged as “History”

Bromley Heath Homes Renamed for Longtime Housing Leader Mildred Hailey

Former BHA administrator Harry Spence ( R) with Anna Mae Cole (center)
Former BHA administrator Harry Spence ( R) with Anna Mae Cole (center)

On a sun-flooded morning, hundreds of families from Bromley Heath apartments sat in overflow chairs in a crowded tent to listen as Mayor Marty Walsh and Boston Housing Authority William McGonagle renamed the development Mildred C. Hailey Apartments.

Joining them was Anna Mae Cole, a friend and comrade in arms for over 60 years and former chair of the Bromley Heath Tenant Management Corporation that Mrs. Hailey  (and yes she was always Mrs. Hailey) directed for 40 years.

Arborway Parking, Circa 1939

Automobiles line the Arborway in front of the Arnold Arboretum. Circa 1939. Courtesy of Boston Public Library, Jamaica Plain branch.

Automobiles line the Arborway in front of the Arnold Arboretum. Circa 1939. Courtesy of Boston Public Library, Jamaica Plain branch.

At first glance it might seem these historical autos are caught in some demonic traffic time warp. But this 1939 photo isn’t of a backup along the Arborway. It’s parked cars lining the Arborway in front of the Arnold Arboretum.

People Before Highways

Ron Hafer, who was among the many locals who organized to stop I-95, speaks at a panel discussion hosted by the JP Historical Society in September 2014.

Ron Hafer, who was among the many locals who organized to stop I-95, speaks at a panel discussion hosted by the JP Historical Society in September 2014.

Ron Hafer, one of many neighborhood residents involved in the fight against I-95, speaks at a Sept. 28, 2014 panel discussion at Doyle’s. The meeting was hosted by the Jamaica Plain Historical Society. Here’s an edited transcript of the discussion.

To learn more about this crucial period in the neighborhood’s history, there’s a free walking tour set for June 28.

Gimme a J! Gimme a P!

Cheerleaders of the Jamaica Plain High School in 1956 were, from left to right: Barbara Spinney, Catherine Gotovitch, Mary Parlon, Claire Boyce, Lorraine Dustin, Ann Kearns, Ann Litch, Beatrice Canny, Betty Ann Fetler, Joyce Mutlow, Gwenneth Edwards, Mary Jo McLaughlin, and Marilyn Guiva (kneeling in the center). Photograph courtesy of the Boston Public Library.

Throwback Thursday Photo of the Day: Cheerleaders of the Jamaica Plain High School in 1956 were, from left to right: Barbara Spinney, Catherine Gotovitch, Mary Parlon, Claire Boyce, Lorraine Dustin, Ann Kearns, Ann Litch, Beatrice Canny, Betty Ann Fetler, Joyce Mutlow, Gwenneth Edwards, Mary Jo McLaughlin, and Marilyn Guiva (kneeling in the center). Photograph courtesy of the Boston Public Library.

For our Throwback Thursday Photo of the Day, here’s an image of old JP from the online archives of the Jamaica Plain Historical Society.

Throwback Thursday: Where to Find Old JP Yearbooks Online

Page from 1940 Jamaica Plain High School yearbook.

Page from 1940 Jamaica Plain High School yearbook. Credit: Via JP Historical Society online archives.

For our Photo of the Day on Thursdays, we highlight an image of old JP, often from the online archives of the Jamaica Plain Historical Society.

This week we feature a page from the 1940 yearbook of Jamaica Plain High School. The Historical Society has an online collection of yearbooks both from JPHS as well as St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

Own a Slice of JP History: ‘Kennedy Butter & Eggs’ Sign For Sale

Kennedy & Co. sign, 668 Centre St., Jamaica Plain.

The Kennedy Co. sign, which long was displayed above 668 Centre St., is for sale. Credit: Via Michael Reiskind

Kennedy & Co. closed back in 1999, but the store’s antique sign is back on the market. The 668 Centre St. space today is home to Hatched. But the original, porcelain-coated enamel on steel sign that graced the front of the store was bought by JP Lick’s Vince Petryk. He recently put word out that’s he’s selling the 19-foot by 3-foot sign for $999.