45 Fascinating Photos Capture Street Scenes of Boston in the 1890s

In the 1890s, Boston was a bustling, rapidly changing city. The streets were crowded with horse-drawn streetcars and carriages, though electric trolleys were becoming more common. Immigrant workers, especially from Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe, filled neighborhoods like the North End, where busy markets and street vendors added to the vibrancy. Factory workers moved between narrow, crowded tenements and industrial areas, while the city’s elite traveled in carriages through more affluent neighborhoods.

Public spaces like Boston Common offered a break from the busy streets, while the waterfront and shipping docks remained vital hubs of activity. The mix of old-world charm and new industrialization defined the city’s dynamic street life during this period. These fascinating photos from City of Boston Archives captured street scenes of Boston in the 1890s.

Boston City street cars, Tremont St., Boston, circa 1890

Boston City street cars, Washington Street looking north from Summer Street, Boston, circa 1890

Roxbury High School, Warren Street, Boston, 1892

Boston and Maine Station, Haymarket Square, Boston, circa 1894

22-28 Tremont Row, Boston, 1895

35-37 Haverhill Street, Boston, circa 1895

89-95 Haverhill Street, Boston, circa 1895

Boston and Maine Station interior, Haymarket Square, Boston, 1895

Charles Street at Boylston Street, Boston, circa 1895

Front Tremont Temple, 11-35 AM, Boston, April 1895

Looking northerly from Hotel Pelham, Boston, circa 1895

Tremont at West Street looking toward Park Street, Boston, circa 1895

Tremont St., Boston, circa 1895

Tremont Street at Court Street, Boston, circa 1895

Tremont Street at Pleasant Street, Boston, circa 1895

Tremont Street at Temple Place, Boston, June 1895

Tremont Street at West Street, Boston, circa 1895

Tremont Street looking northerly from Pleasant Street, Boston, circa 1895

Washington Street, Boston, 1895

Washington Street, Boston, 1895

Causeway Street at Canal Street, Boston, January 1896

Chambers Street looking towards City Square Charlestown, Boston, March 1896

Charlestown street car, Boston, circa 1896

John Winthrop Statue in Scollay Square, Boston, December 1896

Looking northerly in Scollay Square, Boston, July 1896

The "Triangle" after demolition of buildings for the streetcar subway entrance Tremont Street at Pleasant Street, Boston, March 1896

Tremont Street by King's Chapel looking North, Boston, June 1896

Looking easterly from Tremont Street into Scollay Street, Boston, August 1897

Looking northerly in Scollay Square, Boston, July 1897

Repaving Tremont Street looking northerly from near School Street, Boston, September 1897

Rapid Transit Station entrance Brattle Street at Court Street, Boston, September 1898

223-225 Tremont Street, Boston, circa 1890s

231-233 Tremont Street, Boston, circa 1890s

239 Tremont Street at Eliot Street, Boston, circa 1890s

Corner of Tremont and Pleasant Streets looking down Pleasant, Boston, circa 1890s

Dorchester Avenue opposite B Street, Boston, circa 1890s

Gainsborough Street, Boston, circa 1890s

Haymarket Square, Boston, circa 1890s

Lyceum Hall, Maverick Square, East Boston, circa 1890s

Maverick Square, Boston, circa 1890s

Shawmut Avenue side of Triangle, Boston, circa 1890s

Street sweeper, North End, Boston, circa 1890s

Tremont Street at northwest corner Boylston Street, Boston, circa 1890s

38 Brattle Street, Boston, circa 1890s

86 to 96 Washington Street, Boston, circa 1890s