Brookline Historical Society
Photo Collection

Beacon St. at St. Marys
[Source: Joel Shield]
999-1011 Beacon St., Circa 1920
From right to left:
#1011
#1009a: Margaret J. Stout & Co. Dry Goods
#1009: Victor Goldman & Son, Tailors
#1007: Robert C. Ware, Home Method Kitchen
#1005: Heath & Co., Confectioners
#1001-3: B.A. Freeman, Provisions
#999: C. H. Hitchcock, Druggist
[Source: Digital Commonwealth]
1080 Beacon St., circa 1910
Beacon St., circa 1910


Looking west from 1011 Beacon St.
Beacon St. Just West of St. Mary's St., 1-Jul-1909
Looking east toward Boston. #1017 Beacon St. near foreground on the far right. The awnings on the storefronts are also visible. All buildings on the right are still standing. Near foreground on the far left the front steps of the house at #1032 Beacon are visible, it is no longer standing.
[Source: Smithsonian]
Beacon St. Just West of St. Mary's St., 1-Jul-1909
Looking east toward Boston. #1021 Beacon St. near foreground on the far right. The brownstones on the left are no longer standing.
[Source: Smithsonian]
Beacon St. Just West of Carlton St., 1-Jul-1909
Looking east toward Boston. #1067 Beacon St. near foreground on the far right, midway between Hawes St. and Carlton St. On the left is the building comprising 1056-1064 Beacon St. All still standing.
[Source: Smithsonian]
Beacon St. Just West of Carlton St., 1-Jul-1909
Looking east toward Boston. #1073 Beacon St. near foreground on the far right, midway between Hawes St. and Carlton St. On the left is the building comprising 1056-1064 Beacon St. All still standing.
[Source: Smithsonian]
Beacon St. Just West of Carlton St.
Looking east toward Boston. On the left is the building comprising 1056-1064 Beacon St. All still standing.
[Source: Brookline Preservation Department]
1038 Beacon St.
Near the Boston line, exists today.
[Source: Joel Shield]
1050 Beacon St.
Northeast corner of Carlton St.
[Source: Brookline Preservation Department]
Beacon St. & Carlton St. Before 1888
Beacon St (l to r) probably just before its widening; Carlton St. looking north in the center. The driveway of John Ruggles is on the right. On the left is a school house that was built around the time of the widening of Beacon St. in 1851. There is no evidence that it was ever a public school. There is a record of its use as a private school in 1871 by Frances M. (“Fannie”) Welbasky. Welbasky (1841-1922) periodically operated “Miss Welbasky’s Home School for Girls” at various locations in Brookline until 1889. She had an interesting history. Her father was a recent immigrant from Russian and her mother, coincidentally named Susan Ruggles Plympton, was from an established early-European-settler family. Her mother apparently separated from her father shortly after their marriage. Her daughter never married and mother and daughter lived together, mostly in Brookline, until the mother’s death in 1885.

The school building was likely removed for the 1887 widening of Beacon St.
School House at Beacon St. and Carlton St., circa 1887
Standing on Beacon St., Carlton St. going north to the right; just offscreen to the right is the house of John Ruggles. This is a school house that was built around the time of the widening of Beacon St. in 1851. There is no evidence that it was ever a public school. There is a record of its use as a private school in 1871 by M. Fannie Welbasky. Welbasky (1841-1922) periodically operated “Miss Welbasky’s Home School for Girls” at various locations in Brookline until 1889. She had an interesting history. Her father was a recent immigrant from Russian and her mother, coincidentally named Susan Ruggles Plympton, was from an established early-European-settler family. Her mother apparently separated from her father shortly after their marriage. Her daughter never married and mother and daughter lived together, mostly in Brookline, until the mother’s death in 1885.

The school building was likely removed for the 1887 widening of Beacon St.

From the 1887 photo series taken just before the widening of Beacon St., most likely by Augustine H. Folsom, a Boston photographer.
[Source: Digital Commonwealth]
Beacon St., circa 1910
Looking south on Carlton St. from Beacon St. All buildings still standing.
Carlton St. At Beacon St.
Looking south on Carlton St. from Beacon St. All buildings are still standing. The apartment building on the corner, 1051 Beacon St., has a sign in the window - “Rooms For Rent”.
[Source: Brookline Preservation Department]
Beacon St., North Side Between Carlton St. and Amory
1080 Beacon and 1070 Beacon in the center, all existing today
[Source: Joel Shield]
Beacon St. Looking West From Carlton St., 1887
William B. Chaplin's house and stable are visible on the right.

From the 1887 photo series taken just before the widening of Beacon St., most likely by Augustine H. Folsom, a Boston photographer.
[Source: Digital Commonwealth]
Beacon St. & Carlton St., February 1901
Horse-drawn sleighs going east, just past Carlton St. This photograph was taken by Thomas E. Marr and appeared in the Feb. 17, 1901 edition of the Boston Sunday Post along with the following article. Illegible passages are indicated by [...].

Noted Men and Women Behind Speedy Horses on the Beacon Boulevard
All the past week the bells jingle the right merrily out on the boulevard, and the people who enjoy sleighing, and are so fortunate as to possess a horse or two, were out to enjoy the sport. It was a trifle too cold to suit some of the more luxurious, and it was a bit surprising that more sleighs did not venture out to take advantage of the really excellent sleighing which the fates so seldom decree to Bostonians. It is becoming evident that the boulevard is rather given over to the sporty element and the men who have fine horses to show off, and that the “400” are most frequently seen further out of town and in the vicinity of the Country Club. There were enough well-known people out, however, to make quite a showing, and here are a few of them: Mr. J Reed Whipple of Commonwealth Avenue, who owns some of the finest horses in the city, has been a familiar figure the past week and has had out a number of his beauties attached to stylish sleighs. Mr. John Shepherd, who delights in the sport, has made the most of his opportunities and shown some extremely high-class animals. Mrs. Shepard cares nothing for sleighing and only ventured out for a little while last Sunday. Mr. Eben Jordan, too, has shown some of the most beautiful horses noted this winter.

Mrs. H.L. Perry of Fairfield Street has been out in her handsome Russian sleigh, drawn by a fine pair, and […] W. Borland of Marboro […] also seen in his Russian […] span of horses.

Mrs. M. E. Rice has […] familiar figure in a stylish […] and Mrs. M. W. Rice and […] were out behind quite a […] animals.

The Lawson […] Mrs. Lawson, seated in the […] sleighs imaginable, drawn by […], have been often seen, […] Lawson apparently has little […] to this form of amusement […] been looked for vainly.

[…] Gardner pays a daily visit to the […] edifice she is erecting in the […] drives over in her brougham […] not join the throngs of people in sleighs.

Mr. Barneke of Hotel Essex, in a light single sleigh drawn by one horse, has been among the many enthusiasts, and Mr. C. W. Barron’s pair and Russian sleigh have been seen more than once.

Mr. F. M. Crosby of the Tuileries, who has several good horses, has been out almost every day, his horses exciting general admiration, and Mr. E. W. Knight of the Vendome has been out with his pair on several locations.

And speaking of hotel men reminds us that Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Barnes of the Brunswick have braved the icy winds to enjoy the sleighing, Mr. Barnes handling the reins over his fleet horse.

Mr. Charles Hayden of the Somerset has one or two good horses, which he drives in a light cutter, and Mr. A. B. Scelay of Commonwealth Avenue drives a really high-class cob, attached to a light sleigh.

Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Stearns of the Somerset, behind their dignified pair, are familiar figures, and Mr. W A. Gaston is the fortunate owner of a high-stepping horse and light sleigh, which makes a happy combination, both as regards speed and looks.

Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Davis of Commonwealth Avenue have a very handsome pair of horses which travel well together, and Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth have also a fine pair and stylish sleigh. Mr. Caleb Chase of Brookline created quite a sensation by appearing Tuesday afternoon with his beautiful horse “Don,” which has a modest record of 2:18, and showed to great advantage in a light sleigh. Mrs. Chase enjoys the sport from the vantage of her luxurious Russian sleigh with span and coachman and all the comforts of riches furs and wraps. Mr. Albert S. Bigelow of Fairfield Street, the newly elected commodore of the Eastern Yacht Club, has shown some of the most valuable and desirable horses of the season. Mrs. Bigelow frequently accompanies her husband. Their sleighs are unusually stylish and the appearance they present is most elegant.

Professor Charles S. Sargent of Holm Lee and his family are often noted, having a number of horses and sleighs. Mrs. Sargent, Miss Sargent and Mrs. Guy Lowell all seem to enjoy the pastime.

Mr. and Mrs. H. Staples Potter of Commonwealth Avenue although, processing several sleighs, a cutter and Russian among them, and some valuable horses, care less than nothing for sleighing and have only been out once this winter.

Mr. and Mrs. E. V. R. Thayer and Mr. John Thayer certainly made the most of their opportunities, and have been seen frequently, their horses and sleigh being fully up to the mark of excellence.

Others seen at various times are Mrs. T. B. Williams, whose pair of horses and sleigh are very desirable; Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Temby of Brookline, with light cutter and brown mare; Mrs. Henry N. Sawyer, with luxuriously sleigh piled high with furs, and cob; Mr. Saltonstall, Mr. John Richardsonl Mr. H. Edgar Hendley of the Athletic Club, and a lot more.

Lovers of horseback riding are not lacking in the convivial sense and among those seen our Mr. Rice with his daughter, Miss Rice; Mr. George A. Nickerson, Mr. William Merrill. theMisses Forbes of Milton, Miss Carr of Marlboro Street, Miss [?], Miss Evans and Miss Tucker.

Certainly the elements which have been very sparing of their snow for the past few winters have come bravely to the fore this winter and there is little to be desired in the general excellence of the sleighing possibilities which have prevailed of late. February thaws and March winds will soon make snow something of the past, and with this knowledge in view it is not to be wondered at that enthusiastic lovers of horses, sleighing and the bracing air of genuine winter have a availed themselves of the rare privilege of his spinning over in the roads, which have never been in better condition for the truly delightful pastime.

Beacon St. Between Hawes & Carlton, 1911
Looking east, Right to left: #1081,1079, 1077, 1075, 1073, 1071
1073 - 1081 Beacon St., circa 1910
South side between Carlton St. and Hawes St.
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