1956 Map of Boston South

About this map

Beacon Hill and the Boston Common serve as the historic core of this urban landscape, where the Charles River separates the densely built streets of Boston from the academic campuses of Harvard University and the Mass Institute of Technology. The 1950s urban fabric is defined by extensive rail infrastructure from the New York New Haven and Hartford railroad and a burgeoning network of parkways like Memorial Drive and Storrow Drive. To the south, the city gives way to established residential neighborhoods and significant green spaces, including Franklin Park and the expansive grounds of Forest Hills Cemetery. Along the coast, the Boston Inner Harbor and Dorchester Bay are hubs of activity, featuring the Us Naval Reservation and the growing footprint of Logan International Airport. The southern reaches are marked by the winding Neponset River, which borders industrial and residential areas like Lower Mills and Mattapan.