Roslindale, Boston, Massachusetts

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Roslindale is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, with the ZIP Code 02131. It is bordered by Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, West Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester. It is served by one stop on the MBTA Needham Heights commuter rail line, as well as many bus lines which pass through Roslindale Square, where Washington Street meets Cummins Highway and Corinth Street.

Roslindale, a community six miles south of downtown Boston, was annexed to the city in 1874. At the time, it was an out-of-the-way part of the town of West Roxbury, which included the present-day neighborhoods of West Roxbury, Roslindale, and Jamaica Plain.

In the 1880s, the area was called South Street Crossing because the railroad crossed South Street at the street level. However, when the community applied for a post office district of its own, it was told that "South Street Crossing" was unacceptable to the government. The name "Roslindale" was suggested by John Pierce, a well-traveled member of the community, who told the assembled citizens that the area reminded him of the beautiful historic town of Roslin, Scotland, outside Edinburgh. He thought the area was like a dale because of the hills surrounding it. Thus the combination of "Roslin" and "dale" were submitted to the United States Postal Service and the name "Roslindale" was formally established.^[1]

Roslindale grew residentially as a classic streetcar suburb. The railway, which currently serves as the Needham Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail, was built after the American Civil War, and spawned a new round of commercial development. Roslindale saw steady growth in its residential population, beginning in the 1880s, with the introduction of the horse-drawn street railway service between Forest Hills and Dedham. On March 14, 1887, a Boston & Providence Railroad train, inbound to Boston, was passing over a bridge at Bussey Street, in the current Arnold Arboretum, when the bridge collapsed, killing twenty-three and injuring several hundred. This is considered one of the first major rail catastrophes in the country, and contributed to the widespread inspection of train bridges across the U.S.^[1]

In the 1920s, Roslindale Village assumed the configuration it has today, with Adams Park at its center and easy access to rail and bus lines. Roslindale continues to experience residential and commercial growth.^{[citation needed]}

Roslindale Village (still called Roslindale Square by long-time residents) is home to several restaurants, a number of boutiques, a couple of discount stores, the largest independent pharmacy in Massachusetts, one of the largest model train displays in New England and a large bust of Alexander the Great, dedicated by the mayor of Athens, Greece - as well as one Thai restaurant. Adams Park, the center of the square, is home to the annual neighborhood Easter egg hunt and summertime concerts. South of the square, on the corner of Washington Street and Metropolitan Avenue, is Roslindale's oldest (and only) hardware store, Roslindale Hardware, founded in 1888.

North of the square, closely packed triple deckers provide an urban feel. To the west of the square, Victorians border the Arnold Arboretum. South of the square, homes on Grew Hill and Metropolitan Hill feel almost more suburban than part of the largest city in New England.

In the early part of the 20th century, William Fox, for whom 20th Century Fox is named, built a summer mansion on Metropolitan Avenue; he would take the train up from New York City. His house still stands, although one section was eventually carved off and moved a few dozen yards away. Nearby, a pedestrian bridge connects Roslindale to Hyde Park over the Amtrak and MBTA rail lines.

Neighborhoods in Boston, Massachusetts
Allston/Brighton · Back Bay · Beacon Hill · Charlestown · Chinatown · Dorchester · Downtown Crossing · East Boston · Fenway-Kenmore · Government Center · Hyde Park · Jamaica Plain · Longwood · Mattapan · Mission Hill · North End · Roslindale · Roxbury · South Boston · South End · West Roxbury

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