The State Guard descends upon Scollay Square gamblers

Photographs

September 9th, 1919

Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum, Northampton, MA

Black and white photograph taken from a window looking down in Scollay Square in Boston. The square is flanked on three sides by tall brick buildings. Some of the buildings have window awnings and signs. The Star Theater is on the right. At street level, a large crowd of men and boys, mostly wearing hats and dark suits, are packed into the square standing and facing inward towards the street. Two-thirds of the road is full of people, leaving only a narrow path for vehicles to pass. In the street there is a line of horse-drawn carriages and automobiles. In the distance there is a trolley.

During the riots that took place along with the strike, the State Guard was called in by Mayor Andrew Peters and restored order in places such as Scollay Square. Unused to policing, they often entered into conflict with the rioters

During the 1919 Boston Police Strike, gambling sprung up around the city. Of those one of the longest running games was located in Scollay Square. Scollay Square gathered a crowd in the thousands before the State Guard arrived and broke it up by force.

The 1919 Boston Police Strike

Demonstration

Words

Photographs