Roslindale is a primarily residential neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, bordered by Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, West Roxbury and Mattapan. It is served by an MBTA Commuter Rail line, several MBTA bus lines and the MBTA Orange Line in nearby Jamaica Plain. Roslindale has its own branch of the Boston Public Library, the neighborhood is covered by Boston Police District E-5 in West Roxbury, Boston EMS Ambulance 17 is stationed in Roslindale, and the Boston Fire Department has a station on Canterbury Street which houses Ladder 16, Engine 53 & District Chief 12. Roslindale's original fire company, Engine 45, was deactivated on April 10, 1981 due to budget cuts. The portion of the Arnold Arboretum south of Bussey Street is located in Roslindale.
Six miles south-southwest of downtown Boston, Roslindale was originally part of the town of Roxbury. In 1851, current day Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and West Roxbury seceded from Roxbury. The area voted in 1873 to be annexed to the City of Boston.
In the 1860s, the area was called South Street Crossing, due to the railroad's intersection with South Street. However, when the community applied for a post office district of its own, the name "South Street Crossing" proved to be 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. Pierce thought the area was like a dale because of the hills surrounding it. Thus the combination of "Roslin" and "dale" was submitted to the United States Postal Service and the name Roslindale was formally established.
Roslindale grew residentially as a classic streetcar suburb. The railway 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 consisting of a locomotive and nine passenger cars inbound from Dedham to Boston with over 200 passengers, was passing over a bridge at Bussey Street, in the current Arnold Arboretum, when the bridge collapsed causing the rear five cars to pile up on top of each other, killing twenty-three and injuring over one hundred.[4] 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.
In the 1920s, Roslindale Village assumed the configuration it has today, with tree-lined Adams Park at its center. Roslindale falls in a crease between several other Boston neighborhoods and the parts of Roslindale adjacent to these surrounding neighborhoods take on the characteristics of those neighborhoods. For example, the western part of Roslindale blends seamlessly with West Roxbury's one and two family residences and tree lined streets; and Roslindale's northern area consists of dense two and three family residences amidst light industrial buildings similar to the adjacent Stony Brook corridor in Jamaica Plain.
Prior to the rise of suburban shopping malls in the 1970s, the Roslindale business district, Roslindale Square, was a major shopping district for the city of Boston, with department stores, showrooms, food markets, and a movie theatre. After suffering years of vacant storefronts and increased vandalism during the 1970s, 80s & 90s Roslindale Square enjoys limited success today as a local shopping district.
Roslindale is a diverse neighborhood—the ethnic breakup as of 2010, has 49% Non-Hispanic White, 18% Non-Hispanic Black or African-American, 25% Hispanic or Latino and 3% Asian or Pacific Islander.
"Annunciation-cathedral-night" by Chonak - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Great opportunity for restauranteur or an investor with tremendous development upside! Located on over 4,899 sq. ft. in the heart of Roslindale Village, this circa 1920 r...
Listing courtesy of Listing Agent: Dennis Patch from Listing Office: Parkway Real Estate, LLC.
Pride of ownership is abound in this terrific and spacious multi-level home. Enter into a spacious living room with terrific natural light, hardwood floors and a gas fire...
Listing courtesy of Listing Agent: Andrew M. McKinney from Listing Office: Donnelly + Co..
Spring has sprung, opportunity knocks! Perched beautifully in the coveted Prospect Hill neighborhood, this 2 unit property is available for the first time in decades! Eac...
Listing courtesy of Listing Agent: Maiullari Brennan Team from Listing Office: Engel & Volkers Boston.
Welcome to this wonderful expanded bungalow! As you enter, an over-sized enclosed porch invites you into the gracious living room and formal dining room. Both rooms featu...
Listing courtesy of Listing Agent: Love Live Team from Listing Office: Insight Realty Group, Inc.
Location, Location, Location! Rare opportunity to acquire 3-unit, mixed-use, commercial building overlooking Adams Park in the heart of Roslindale Square. 2 units vacant,...
Listing courtesy of Listing Agent: Christian Iantosca Team from Listing Office: Arborview Realty Inc..
3 bdrm, 1.5 baths. "With Old Time Charm" 3 car tandem with turn around driveway with on street parking. Beautiful level yard with mature plantings. Walk to bus line, clos...
Listing courtesy of Listing Agent: Rosemary C. Kelley from Listing Office: Keller Williams Realty.
* Price reflects one of two available 2-BD units, other similar unit priced at $649,900. This is a rare opportunity to be one of the FIRST to own a condo in this brand ne...
Listing courtesy of Listing Agent: Jordan Shaw from Listing Office: Burns Realty & Investments.
Set on one of the most desirable streets in the Arboretum neighborhood! Modern kitchen and bath while still maintaining charm and character. The living room has a bay a...
Listing courtesy of Listing Agent: Kris MacDonald from Listing Office: Insight Realty Group, Inc..
"Discover the allure of this meticulously renovated two-bedroom, one-bathroom condominium in the heart of Roslindale, Massachusetts. Recently updated just two years ago, ...
Listing courtesy of Listing Agent: Nateesha Grace from Listing Office: Latitude Realty LLC.
Rarely-available turn-key condo offers a fantastic opportunity to get into the booming Roslindale market. Efficiently laid-out kitchen features bountiful cabinets, granit...
Listing courtesy of Listing Agent: Michael Ahearn from Listing Office: Coldwell Banker Realty - Boston.
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