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.

[Courtesy of the Digital Commonwealth (CC BY-NC-ND). From the Brookline Photograph Collection published by the Public Library of Brookline]