Scollay Square: The Entertainment District

Photographs

c. 1942

Boston Public Library: The Leslie Jones Collection

Black and white photograph of Scollay Square. On the left side there is a sidewalk with many pedestrians. It is lined by businesses with tall signs, expressing business names and. In the middle is a wide road. Cars are parked on one side. They are of a 1940s style. Other cars are passing an unidentifiable structure in the middle of the road that is approximately the length of two to three of the cars. Buildings line the other side of the street on the right side. In is a large building, mostly in length, not height. There is a clock at its top and a large banner that reads P M, with two illustrated people underneath. At the front of the picture is an old subway entrance, which people are entering and leaving.

Scollay Square, Boston's entertainment district, in the 1940s. Scollay Square was the entertainment district of Boston up until it was demolished in the 1960s to create City Hall. This area was home to several LGBTQ+ bars, which were often raided by the police to terrorize the LGBTQ+ community.

This photo shows the bustling crowds and nightlife in Scollay Square during the 1940s. Scollay Square was demolished in the 1960s to create City Hall, which still stands today. This area was home to several LGBTQ+ bars, which were often raided by the police to terrorize the LGBTQ+ community. Three of those establishments are visible in this photo: The Half Dollar, which is located under the “PM” sign; The Lighthouse, which is to the right of the Half Dollar; and the Crawford House, to the far right.

Boston Marriages to Same-Sex Marriage’s Legalization: LGBTQ+ Rights

Demonstration

Legislation

Words

Photographs