Holy shit. I was just looking at old maps online when I discovered this:
Our street was named after Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who lived where 2 Wadsworth is. <a href ="http://www.bahistory.org/1890maps.html">Bottom right of map #26. </a>
Posted by tgl on 2005-03-29 14:13:58 +0000
Wadsworth St. used to be Pratt? The railroad used to be on the other side of your house?
Late night cartography.
Posted by pchippy on 2005-03-29 15:53:07 +0000
That's fascinating, Mike, but it's most likely not THE Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, for two reasons. First, Henry the poet died in 1882, and the map is from 1890. Second, he lived most of his life on Brattle Street in Cambridge, at the Craigie-Longfellow house (now a National Historic Site). I'm pretty sure he died there.
What possible explanations are there?
1. That Longfellow was a real-estate speculator, and owned property in Allston though he did not live there, and that the ownership data on the map is out of date, which is why it shows him still owning Wadsworth Street even after he's dead.
2. That historic Wadsworth street was the property (and likely the residence) of another Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Given how few Longfellows there are in this world, it would most likely be a relative of the big guy. It wasn't his son--he had only two sons, neither of them named Henry--but it could be a grandson, or perhaps a cousin/nephew.
Gosh, I hate to be such a wet blanket. Maybe I'm wrong--I hope I am.
-Peter
Posted by G lib on 2005-03-29 16:19:52 +0000
Wet blanket.
_______________
<i>"Hardcore Stricken Fagan at the Wad caused dance party Total Kenobi."</i> Rory_Stark
Posted by tgl on 2005-03-29 17:07:31 +0000
Here we go... another missive from the academe! You ivory tower types love to tell us average Joes how to go about our business, don't you? Sittin' there with your books and your black gowns...
Let me tell you, mister, if you had to deal with the real world you'd know 3 Wadsworth is indeed the historic home and birthplace and central spirtual vortex of ol' Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, renowned poet, scribe, orchid cultivator, amateur aviation enthusiast, and time traveller. I don't need a map from 1890 to tell me that!
Sitting on the porch is proof enough.
Posted by Miriam on 2005-03-29 17:10:30 +0000
Those tracks are probably for the trollies that used to run through Brighton Center to Oak Square. Remember the tracks that were in front of the Malbert, then got paved over, then got pulled up? Someone got a lot of $ out of those improvements contracts!
Posted by Honar the librarian on 2005-03-29 17:46:36 +0000
OK kids, the railroad tracks are still in the same place, and those aren't trolley tracks, but indicate water and sewer lines. See the map guide for questions.
Posted by frame609 on 2005-03-29 18:35:08 +0000
All of the joy has been sucked out of my morning (okay, afternoon.)
Late night cartography.
What possible explanations are there?
1. That Longfellow was a real-estate speculator, and owned property in Allston though he did not live there, and that the ownership data on the map is out of date, which is why it shows him still owning Wadsworth Street even after he's dead.
2. That historic Wadsworth street was the property (and likely the residence) of another Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Given how few Longfellows there are in this world, it would most likely be a relative of the big guy. It wasn't his son--he had only two sons, neither of them named Henry--but it could be a grandson, or perhaps a cousin/nephew.
Gosh, I hate to be such a wet blanket. Maybe I'm wrong--I hope I am.
-Peter
_______________
<i>"Hardcore Stricken Fagan at the Wad caused dance party Total Kenobi."</i> Rory_Stark
Let me tell you, mister, if you had to deal with the real world you'd know 3 Wadsworth is indeed the historic home and birthplace and central spirtual vortex of ol' Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, renowned poet, scribe, orchid cultivator, amateur aviation enthusiast, and time traveller. I don't need a map from 1890 to tell me that!
Sitting on the porch is proof enough.