BOSTON –Recently, the Upham’s Corner neighborhood was designated a historic district and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service.
The neighborhood’s collection of twenty-four late 19th and early 20th century commercial and residential buildings were deemed historically significant and worthy of preservation, as well as resources such as the Dorchester North Burying Ground. The buildings include the Strand Theatre, the S.B. Pierce Building, the Upham’s Corner Market, the Comfort Station, and the Dorchester Savings Bank. The buildings are constructed in architectural styles such as Gothic Revival, Panel Brick, Renaissance Revival, Romanesque Revival, Classical Revival, Colonial Revival, Mission Revival, and Art Deco. They are now eligible for certain funding incentives intended to encourage preservation.
After Dorchester was first settled in 1630, development of the Upham’s Corner commercial district began to accelerate following the 1897 expansion of Columbia Road, which allowed for travel by streetcar and connected Upham’s Corner to most of Boston through the Emerald Necklace. Large commercial buildings such as the Pierce Building, Dorchester Bay EDC’s home and a historic keystone of the Upham’s Corner business district, were created as the anchors of the neighborhood.
“We are very excited about the designation of Upham’s Corner as a Historic District by the National Park Service,” said Susan Chu, Dorchester Bay EDC Director of Real Estate. “The Historic District branding will shine a spotlight of attention on Upham’s Corner, which is poised for significant growth and investment. This designation would bring more foot traffic and customers to our small businesses, boost our local economy, and bring benefits to property owners, business owners and residents alike.”
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Image of Pierce Building in Upham’s Corner – Here’s a little history lesson on this building!
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
So happy about this and still live up the street from Uphams. My grandmother used to worked at United Stores on the 1960’s and then Cummings from 1971 to 1987 behind Pilgrim Church. I am so happy my grandparents and parents never sold our house. Seeing the changes here in the neighborhood is amazing.