“Better homes for the masses of plain people.” That’s what social reformer Robert Treat Paine Jr. wanted. Now we are standing in Frederick Douglass Square Historic District. This district tells a story of resilience. It shows how Bostonians adapted to crises.
Frederick Douglass Square Historic District is roughly bounded by Hammond Street. It is also bordered by Cabot Street, Windsor Street, and Westminster Street in Lower Roxbury. This 5-acre area is remarkably well-preserved. It is a cohesive residential development.
In the 19th century, Boston underwent land-reclamation projects. This area was originally salt marshes. They flooded at high tide. The Boston Neck was widened with the construction of Tremont Street and railroad lines. The Tremont Improvement Company acquired a remnant portion of the salt marshes by the early 1860s. They built single-family row houses on the filled land.
The district includes most residential properties on Warwick, Greenwich, and Sussex Streets. It also includes clusters of properties on adjacent streets.
The Frederick Douglass Square Historic District gained recognition. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. It is also a pending Boston Landmark. The nearby intersection of Tremont and Hammond streets was dedicated as Frederick Douglass Square in 1917. This gave the district its name.
Between 1860 and 1880, Boston’s population more than doubled. This was due to new waves of European immigrants. Poor immigrant workers often lived in overcrowded tenements. These conditions fostered unhealthy environments.
Robert Treat Paine Jr. wanted “better homes”. In 1886, he began building over 200 home ownership units. These were on Hammond Street, Cabot Street, Windsor Street, and Westminster Street. They were built on former marshland in Lower Roxbury. His plan featured wide streets and sidewalks. He had architect-designed buildings. These were available to the working poor for $2,500 each.
With a deposit of $1,000, Paine gave each buyer a 5% mortgage. The mortgage covered the $1,500 balance. It was payable over five years.
The Frederick Douglass Square area was initially inhabited by immigrant families. These families included clerks, laborers, grocers, and janitors. Approximately 77 of Paine’s houses remain.
The Frederick Douglass Square Historic District represents Boston’s history of resilience. It transformed a salt marsh into a neighborhood. It provided affordable housing for the working class. It stands as a testament to social reform. It also stands as a community. It is a reminder of the importance of adapting to the needs of its people. The district preserves a unique chapter in Boston’s story.