Author Archives: earltaylor

Dorchester Illustration 2544 ‘Tis the Season

Posted on December 19, 2021 by earltaylor

Today’s illustration is one of many advertisements issued by the Walter Baker company in the period from the 1890s well into the mid-twentieth century. The company’s logo, the Baker chocolate lady, can be seen on the tavern’s sign. Winter weather … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Baker Chocolate, Cocoa, Dorchester | Comments Off

Dorchester Illustration 2543 Elisha Brown Bird

Posted on December 12, 2021 by earltaylor

Elisha Brown Bird (1867-1943) The illustration is of Elisha Brown Bird and his poster The Red Letter, 1896 Bird was an illustrator who was known for posters and bookplate designs. Winifred Porter Truesdell published a book titled E. B. Bird … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dorchester, Elisha Brown Bird, posters | Comments Off

Dorchester Illustration 2542 Ham radio – is that still a thing?

Posted on December 5, 2021 by earltaylor

Reminder: the Dorchester Historical Society sales shop is online at www.dorchesterhistoricalsociety.org You can also give a great gift to yourself or a friend – order a house history for a house in Dorchester or Mattapan. Check it out on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dorchester, Ham radio, Mattapan, postcards, short wave radio | Comments Off

Dorchester Illustration 2541 Putnam Nail Company humorous advertising card

Posted on November 28, 2021 by earltaylor

The Putnam Nail Company was located in the Port Norfolk section of Dorchester. In addition to weekly advertisements in magazines, the company put out a series of advertising cards. Many of them featured horses, both pacers and trotters, who had … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dorchester, Horseshoe nails, Putnam Nail Company | Comments Off

Dorchester Illustration 2539 Gibson School, School Street

Posted on November 14, 2021 by earltaylor

Christopher Gibson School The Gibson School house on School Street was named in honor of Christopher Gibson, an early donor to the schools of Dorchester. When he died in 1674, Gibson left the sum of 104 Pounds to the town … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christopher Gibson School, Dorchester, School Street | Comments Off

Dorchester Illustration 2538 Lyceum Hall

Posted on November 7, 2021 by earltaylor

Dorchester Illustration 2538 Lyceum Hall Today’s illustration is a photograph of Lyceum Hall and the fire station behind it on Parish Street in 1953. Construction of Lyceum Hall was completed in February 1840. Walter Baker presided at the opening ceremony. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dorchester, Lyceum Hall, Meetinghouse Hill | Comments Off

Dorchester Illustration 2537 Mission of the Epiphany

Posted on October 31, 2021 by earltaylor

Dorchester Illustration 2537 Mission of the Epiphany Built as Mission of the Epiphany in Dorchester, the property at 234 Norfolk Street is now known as the Mt. Olive Worship Center. The In 1906, the Mission acquired the lot at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dorchester, Mission of the Epiphany, Mt. Olive Worship Center, Norfolk Unitarian Church, St. Matthews Roman Catholic Church | Comments Off

Dorchester Illustration 2536 Dorchester-born mystery writer Paul Whelton

Posted on October 24, 2021 by earltaylor

In the case of authors, it is always interesting to speculate how spending part of one’s life in Dorchester may have influenced their published works. Paul Whelton was born in Dorchester in 1895. His family lived on Holiday Street and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Death and the Devil, Dorchester, Flash-hold for Murder, Paul Whelton | Comments Off

Dorchester Illustration 2535 Dorchester Power Station

Posted on October 17, 2021 by earltaylor

Dorchester Illustration 2535 Dorchester Power Station Reminder: a house history from the Dorchester Historical Society would make a great gift to a homeowner in Dorchester or Mattapan. Take a look at some of the completed histories on the Dorchester Historical … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Commercial Point, Dorchester, Freeport Street, Power Station, Yale Electric | Comments Off

Dorchester Illustration 2534 Bronze Clapp’s Favorite Pear

Posted on October 10, 2021 by earltaylor

Reminder: a house history from the Dorchester Historical Society would make a great gift to a homeowner in Dorchester or Mattapan. Take a look at some of the completed histories on the Dorchester Historical Society website www.dorchesterhistoricalsociety.org Today’s illustration is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bronze Pear, Clapp's Favorite Pear, Dorchester, Edward Everett Square | Comments Off