Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-09-11
Increase of East Boston.

A Boston correspondent Of the Netc York
Euening Post, has the following paragraph in
relation to East Boston:
In 1901, there were not ten persons on
Nodde's Island, now called East Boston,
Ii contains about 700 acres and vas occu-
pied by family named Williams. In 1881,
ii was bought by company on speculation,
for $4,000, and proved ruinous TO some
concerned in it but now one of its wharves
could not be purchased for what the whole
island cost. The rapid increase of the place
may be attributed to the establishment of
he Eastern Railroad Station, and the eIrival
there of the Cunard line of steamers. Its
population is now 1000. There are four or
five churches large manufactures; several
ship yards and many elegant houses. Ey-
cry loot of ground will soon be covered with
substantial dwellings,"
The writer by no means does justice to
East Boston in the above paragraph. In
1881, instead Of 1901, there was but a single
family on 'Nodde's Island, and instead Of
its population being now seven thousand, it
is trcelue thousand! Neither is il right 10 at
tribute this rapid increase solely to the 'es-
tabllshment of the railroad station, and the
arrival of the Cunard steamships A far
better reason may be found in the great nat
ural advantages for commercial and manu-
featuring purposes which it possesses, and
to the general enterprise and industry of its
Inhabitants. Il has water frontage of IL
600 feet on the deep water of the harbor, all
of which is as well adapted and better pro-
tected for commerce than wharves in the
city proper, and is fast being improved for
wharfage, ship building, &c. That il is en-
phatically Business place, any one eau satisfy
himself by taking a walk through its streets.
In manufacturing and mechanical pursuits in
East Boston there is invested the sum Of
$2,056,O00, which yields an annual income
of IS, ,23l ZIG. There are more than twenty
establishments on the Island in which steam
power is used-aHt others at The present time
are making preparations TO use il.
There is no portion of the city which at
the present time is in a more 1ourishing con-
diron, or which has SO bright prospects for
the future, as East Boston. Within the last
year the City Government has laid out large
sum of money in paving the prlnciPa streets,
and laying drains and sewers. Meridian
street, from Paris st. 10 Central square, in
cuding the square, has been paved IN most
substantial manner, and we understand that
the work is to be continued some distance
further up Meridian street. An order has
been passed by the Common Council TO erect
a neat IRON fence around the Park in Maver.
ick Square, which will add much 10 the
beauty of that spot. II The portion to be en-
closed could be enlnrged, and II might be
done and still leave ample space for passing,
il would improve the appearance OF the
Square, and would leave more room for the
introduction ofa fountain, which we have
no doubt will in due time be there located.
At the present time there are large mum
ber OF buildings being erected in East Bos-
ton. Among others MIR. Oris Tufts is max.
ing large addition TO his engine works
and in the vicinity of the wharves many
small buildings, for mechanical pursuits, are
being erected. On the Third Section, sew
eral dwellings are also being conslructed-in
order to meet the increased demand for resi-
dences in thar pleasant part of the island.
The work Of constructing the sea wall be-
tween Wood Island and the First Section is
rapidly progressing, and will be completed
in January. The Grand Junction Railroad
10 now about finished, and will be publicly
opened in a few days, uniting East Boston
by iron bonds to the Canadas and the great
West, and making her the great entrepot for
merchandise coming from and going to tha,
vast region Of country. These and many