Brookline Historical Society
Photo Collection

Brookline Village, January 9, 1922
Looking north on Harvard St. from Kent St. Photo by Henry A. Varney, Brookline town engineer.
  • On the left is the smaller tower of the Baptist Church on the southwest corner with Pierce St., no longer standing
  • In the far distance is the steeple of St. Mary's Church of the Assumption, still standing
  • In the immediate foreground is the First National Bank building, #1-5 Harvard St., still standing
  • Following the bank building is the building at #7–15 Harvard St. Seen are the signs for Wallace Ozon, dentist at #7 and Jennie Wilson, milliner, at #9. Still standing.

[Source: Digital Commonwealth]
Brookline Village, Washington St. & Davis Ave, early 1860s
Washington St. in the heart of the village, looking northwest, at the corner of Washington Place, today's Davis Ave. Benjamin Davis House, built in 1760, demolished around 1867. Large tree and fences can be viewed in other photos from the 1860s.
Brookline Village, Northwest Corner, Washington St. & Davis Ave.
Washington St. going north to the right; Davis on the left. The second floor was used by dancing and singing schools. Replaced by the brick Seamans building in 1889.
Brookline Village, Northwest Corner, Washington St. & Davis Ave.
Washington St. going north to the right; Davis just off screen on the left. James M. Seamans moved his grocery store, that had been in the lower Village since 1848, to this location in 1865. The Seaman's second floor was used by dancing and singing schools. In 1889, the store was replaced by the four-story brick building that remains today. Martin Kingman maintained a dry goods store next door from 1865 until 1875 when he sold the business to his assistant, Elizabeth Swift.
[Source: Digital Commonwealth]
Brookline Village, Northwest Corner, Washington St. & Davis Ave.
This building, still standing at 256 Washington St., was constructed in 1889 by the Seamans as a replacement for their two-story wood-framed store. In 1911-12, William Dexter Paine, stationer, moved his store into the building from the longtime location at 239 Washington St. To the right, at 260 Washington St. is the business of Nelson C. Thompson, upholsterer, previously located directly across the street. Steverman & Gibbons, electricians, are at 264 and H. J. Murray, plumber, is at 266 Washington St. These businesses were collectively present here from 1912 to 1917.
[Source: Digital Commonwealth]
J. M. Seamans & Co.
256 Washington St., corner of Davis Ave. In 1889, James Manning Seamans replaced his wooden two-story store with this brick building that still stands. His son, Manning Seamans, took over the business from his father. Upon the latter’s death in 1910, the business was closed and replaced by William Dexter Paine, Stationer.
[Source: Brookline Preservation Department]
J. M. Seamans & Co.
256 Washington St., corner of Davis Ave. In 1889, James Manning Seamans replaced his wooden two-story store with this brick building that still stands. His son, Manning Seamans, took over the business from his father. Upon the latter’s death in 1910, the business was closed and replaced by William Dexter Paine, Stationer.

One possible speculative configuration for the three men is, from left to right: unknown employee, Manning Seamans, James Manning Seamans.
[Source: Brookline Preservation Department]
285 Washington St., circa 1904
The focus of this photo is the residence and business of Gertrude F. Wallace, hairdresser, at 285 Washington St. But the other structures to the right provide a rare documentation of the demoltion of Harvard Hall in preparation for the erection of the building that is there today at the apex of Harvard and Washington streets.There is a workman on the roof of the just-closed furniture and upholstery business of Nelson C. Thompson. To the right of that, somewhat telescoped in size, is the Harvard Hall building housing two grocers and in the distance is the corner of the National Bank building.
[Source: Digital Commonwealth]
289, 287, 285 Washington St., 1903
Morris Salis started his tailor shop here in 1903 and remained for two decades. Sharing #289 is Charles Lot James, Real Estate. Gertrude F. Wallace was a hairdresser in the building to the right, #285 (still standing in modified form), until 1908-9. Harvard Square is a few steps to the right.
[Source: Digital Commonwealth]
Harvard Square, Brookline Village
Washington St. looking north
[Source: Brookline Preservation Department]
287 and 289 Washington St., Brookline Village
These businesses were together at this location from 1909/1910 to 1916. Morris Salis, tailor, and Louis Ianneville, shoe repair, were at 289 Washington St. while Thomas F. Thompson, painter, was at #287. Harvard Square is a few steps to the right.
[Source: Historic New England]
First Police Station, Prospect St., circa 1873
Previously the second town hall, this building became police headquarters in 1873 when a new much larger, town hall was opened across the street on the corner with Washington St.

From Photographs of Brookline: taken about 1876 / Richard Hills. Call No.: BROOKLINE/Special (CAGE B.R. 974 H6), Brookline Public Library.
[Source: Brookline Preservation Department]
Town Hall (2nd), Prospect St.
Built 1845. This building became police headquarters in 1873 when a new much larger, town hall was opened across the street on the corner with Washington St.
American Legion Post 11, 1931
Note the beautiful front of the old town hall
Town Hall (3rd)
On the left are houses on Prospect St. which were removed by late 1898 for the new police station / court building that opened in the fall of 1900. On the right is the corner of the building housing the Robart brothers’ furniture business at 317 Washington St., still standing.
[Source: Brookline Preservation Department]
Town Hall (3rd)
Town Hall (3rd), 1906
Town Hall (3rd), 1905
From left to right:
  • Corner of the municipal courthouse
  • The former Pierce Primary School, now converted to town offices and named Holden Hall, in the rear
  • Town Hall, decorated for the 1905 bicentennial
  • House at 11 Holden St., still standing
  • House at 5-7 Holden St., still standing. Home to the Robart brothers whose furniture business was just off screen to the right at 317 Washington St., also still standing

[Source: Digital Commonwealth]
Town Hall (3rd)
Looking from Washington St. , Prospect St. on the left.
Town Hall (3rd)
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