The view from the Bunker Hill Monument, sometime between the 1860s and 1880s. Photo courtesy of New York Public Library.
The view in 2024:
The view looking north from the Bunker Hill Monument. Many of the buildings in Charlestown remain the same as they were in the original photo, although the large building in the lower right has been replaced by an even larger building in the same location.
The view from the Bunker Hill Monument, sometime between the 1860s and 1880s. Photo courtesy of New York Public Library.
The same view in 2024:
These two photos show three sections of Boston – Charlestown in the foreground, East Boston in the distance, and the North End of Boston barely visible to the right. Other than the approach ramp to the Tobin Bridge, not much has changed in Charlestown – many of the houses in the foreground can easily be identified in both photos. On the waterfront, many of the buildings at the former Boston Navy Yard are still there, and have been incorporated into the Boston National Historical Park. ln the distance, East Boston has been substantially expanded for Logan International Airport, which is barely visible on the far side of East Boston.
The view from the Bunker Hill Monument, sometime between the 1860s and 1880s. Photo courtesy of Boston Public Library.
The view in 2010:
Looking west from the Bunker Hill Monument, the approaches to the Tobin Bridge dominate the landscape in the 2010 photo. In the foreground, there is a stark contrast between the 19th century buildings to the right and the 1960s era redevelopment to the left. Many of the buildings are easily recognizable in both photos, especially the ones along the street in the lower center of the 2010 photo. In the background, beyond the approaches to the bridge. is the site of the former navy yard, which was still in active use in the first photo.
The view from the Bunker Hill Monument, sometime between the 1860s and 1880s. Photo courtesy of New York Public Library.
The same view in 2010:
The view from the top of the Bunker Hill Monument, looking east across the Mystic River. The bridge in the first photo was the Chelsea Bridge, which was built in 1803. It was replaced by the present-day Tobin Bridge, and much of the Charlestown neighborhood in the foreground was redeveloped in the 1960’s, giving it a far different appearance from the 19th century photo.
Court Square in Springfield, sometime in the 1860s or early 1870s. Photo courtesy of New York Public Library.
The same scene in 2013:
Court Square has been the center of activity in Springfield since its founding. The first meeting house was built just to the left in the foreground, and all of the subsequent churches have been built on Court Square. The square was established as a park in 1821, two years after Old First Church was built.
Springfield’s old high school, located on State Street, sometime in the 1870s or 1880s. Photo courtesy of New York Public Library.
The scene in 2019:
Built in 1874, the building in the top photo was once Springfield’s high school building. It was used as the high school until 1898, when the older part (left-hand side) of Classical High School was completed. After that, the building was used as a grammar school until 1922, when it was demolished to allow for the expansion of Classical High School. It was used as a high school until 1986, and has since been converted into condominiums.