Dorchester Illustration no. 2297 Upham’s Corner Comfort Station
Activating a Historic Site: Sip & Spoke Bike Kitchen’ at Old South Meeting House April 28th
The Old South Meeting House is hosting “Activating a Historic Site: Sip & Spoke Bike Kitchen, Dorchester” on Friday, April 28th.
Learn about the historic preservation of Uphams Corner Comfort Station, a stucco and tile “mission style” building adjacent to the historic Dorchester North Burying Ground. It was built in 1912 to support Boston’s expanding streetcar system. The building has been unused since 1977. Historic Boston Inc. is currently rehabbing the station to help “preserve and tell the story of Dorchester’s urbanization and transportation growth in the early 20th century.” Hear about the ongoing transformation from entrepreneur, Dorchester native, and local history activist Noah Hicks.
This event is free for OSMH members and $6 for nonmembers. This event is from 12:15 to 1 pm
The following is from Historic Boston Incorporated’s website:
Upham’s Corner Comfort Station, 1912, Dorchester, MA
The Comfort Station, a one-story stucco and terracotta tile “mission style” structure, was built as a convenience station in 1912 to support the expanding street car system in Boston. It was designed by local architect William Besarick who also designed Upham’s Corner’s Bird Street Community Center, as well as many area triple-deckers.
The Comfort Station lies on what was once part of the 1630 Dorchester North Burying Ground and together they are listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and as a Boston Landmark. The historic building helps tell the story of 19th century municipal expansion and population growth in Dorchester, and the public transportation infrastructure built in the 20th century to support them.
HBI and the American City Coalition are rehabilitating the Comfort Station for Sip and Spoke Bike Kitchen – a bike repair and coffee shop – with the goal of re-activating the site and preserving the story of Boston’s growth and change in Upham’s Corner. The $960,000 project is expected to begin in late 2016.
The top illustration shows the propose re-use of the building, and the bottom is a snapshot taken during the visit to Boston by Pope John Paul II in 1979.