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Boston/Allston-Brighton
Overview
Both bound closely with Boston while remaining a bit cut off, Allston/Brighton is defined by the colleges that surround it. A visit reveals a bohemian vibe in this student village writ large. Check back often, in this ne
Wikivoyage guide · 18 sections
▸Introduction279 chars
Both bound closely with Boston while remaining a bit cut off, Allston/Brighton is defined by the colleges that surround it. A visit reveals a bohemian vibe in this student village writ large. Check back often, in this neighborhood of youth and energy: the one constant is change.
▸Understand1,471 chars
Ownership of this land has been kicked around over the centuries. At first a part of Watertown, it was deeded to "Newtowne" in 1634, which you might know by its modern name, Cambridge. Just a handful of settler families lived in "Little Cambridge" and tended to their farms and livestock throughout the 18th century. In 1807, after a heated bridge dispute, Brighton split from Cambridge to become its own independent town.
After incorporating, the area continued on with its traditions. Residents used new technologies as they became available to increase production on their farms and expand the cattle industry. Railroads were built to efficiently move the slaughterhouse beef produced here to distant markets. In 1874 Brighton was officially annexed to Boston, a decision that would see its population explode.
The railroad would keep Allston/Brighton's economy growing throughout the 20th century. When the prevailing industry shifted from livestock production to automobile sales; it was all the same to the train. The Mass Pike was built along the tracks in the 60s, as car travel became increasingly popular. Today three nearby colleges - BU, BC, and Harvard - all continue their expansion into the neighborhood. Dorms, research facilities, and academic high rises spring from ground like shoots. As the area's most prolific builder, Harvard acquired building rights to the once powerful railroad tracks, and plans to reshape oceans of acreage in the 21st century.
Facts
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Source
WBP almanac