I’ve been playing with the Digital Commonwealth archives and found some amazing pictures of our little city. Some are recent, but others give insight into a very different time.

My son and I, inspired by the site Dear Photograph, have started taking images of these sites with yesterday and today. Here is our first: the Orr Building. I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this structure as the idea of taking down the block takes hold. But when I saw the image I was amazed at the streetscape it created. The current incarnation doesn’t take full advantage of the street in the same way.

It was also interesting to see that the Newtonville Library existed upstairs when this was taken, which I believe is in the late 1930s or early 1940s. I’m trying to do some research to determine an approximate date, but if anyone can identify the vehicles that would help.

Dear Orr Building | Newton MA News and Politics Blog