“Did you know this Collins Building has seen Dorchester change?” Let me tell you its story. The Collins Building stands here on Washington Street. It anchors this Mt. Bowdoin area. Charles F. Collins built it in 1898. It is a three-story brick building.
Originally, the Collins Building offered retail space. Shops filled the ground floor. Offices occupied the second. A large function hall sat on the third floor. Imagine the activity here. The Collins Building quickly became a neighborhood hub.
This area was developing fast in 1900. Mt. Bowdoin transformed into a middle-class neighborhood. Many families settled here. Around 1910, about 300 Jewish families lived nearby. In some parts, they made up 65% of the population. The Collins Building became important to this community.
The third-floor hall had several names. First, it was Bowdoin Hall. Around 1910, it became Mt. Bowdoin Hall. By 1932, people called it the New Washington Auditorium. Later, in 1942, it was known as Silver Manor. Through all the names, it remained a gathering place.
Consider the businesses that operated here. By 1918, Jacob Sidman owned the Collins Building. He ran a grocery store inside. Other tenants included the Mt. Bowdoin Auto Repairing Company. The Anthony Press and Great A & P Tea Company were here too. Samuel Sidman sold shoes. Tailor Rubin Cohen also had a space.
The function hall hosted many events. Social clubs met here. These clubs were very popular then. They often catered to specific ethnic groups. Immigrants from Europe formed these organizations. They celebrated their customs here at the Collins Building.
Ownership of the Collins Building changed hands many times. By 1944, John Rubin owned it. In 1953, Helen S. Swartz acquired the title. Her husband used the third floor for light manufacturing. They assembled plastic covers for pillows.
In 1980, the City of Boston took the property. This happened due to unpaid taxes. But the story does not end there.
The Collins Building was revitalized in 1998. It was sold to the private sector. Federal investment tax credits helped. The building was renovated. It continues to have retail stores below. Now there are residential apartments above.
The Collins Building is more than just a building. It represents Dorchester’s history. It reflects the community’s growth and change. In 2005, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This recognizes its historical importance. As you stand here, remember the generations who lived, worked, and celebrated within these walls. The Collins Building stands as a testament to their stories.