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Time was, you could rent an apartment, then grab some donuts for the celebratory road trip in your Chevy Vega
By adamg on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 11:14am
The folks at the Boston City Archives wonder if you can place this scene. See it larger.
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Comments
73 Charles Street, Beacon Hill
Looks pretty much the same today, just with different businesses (art gallery, framing shop) and signs.
Also, it's now one-way southbound, so you have to park facing the other way.
Correct
Kevin White changed the direction of Charles Street. He also changed the direction of a section of Marlborough Street which was once famously known as "The Block", a gay hustling area. Cars would circle and circle the block of Arlington, Marlborough, Berkeley and Comm. Ave. looking for "action". This upset the upscale residents of Marlborough, so Kevin White just surreptitiously changed the direction of the street suddenly and with no warning.
You're wrong
"The Block" was the named for the four corners the Park Sq Building abuts. St. James, Arlington, Berkeley and Boylston. That's where the hustlers would congregate.
I spent many a night driving men who shall remain nameless over the years that patronized the Block.
"The Block" Redux
Actually, we covered all this before here, and you conceded that "The Block" was indeed on Marlborough.
https://www.universalhub.com/2013/oh-ho-why-marlborough-street-reverses-...
Wow!
I stand corrected. Good memory as mine muse be fading after all that weed...
Vaseline Alley.
Was in that part of Park Sq.
Greyhound, etc.
The Block was nearby but not the same.
Current view
https://goo.gl/maps/h7bkWFtbJeyLa9J59
That's Charles St
from about the time when the Charles Street Steakhouse was the cheapest and best joint in town!
Remember Mister Donut?
Remember Mister Donut?
I do, When I was a little kid
I do, When I was a little kid in the 70s, I remember them.
I am pretty sure there was
I am pretty sure there was still one in natick in the 90’s.
Mister Donut is alive and well ...
... in Japan.
Mr. Donut!
I loved Mr. Donut. Both the coffee and the donuts were much better than the now ubiquitous Dunkin Donuts.
Hey, a Chevy Vega!
It must have stopped in for a quick coffee and a donut between recalls.
Three on a tree!
What a crap car.
Yes, it was
Fenders that got gaping rust holes in the top within about a year, motors that had chrome-plated cylinder bores, which shed that plating after a few thousand miles, chewing up the engine's guts. Of course, it was the Motor Trend Car of the Year it was introduced. Never, ever pay any attention to that award. The Vega wasn't the only terrible car that won it.
Mmmmmister Donut
Almost as nostalgic for this UHub post from 10 years ago:
https://www.universalhub.com/2012/remember-mister-donut
Whoa
Glad somebody around here still has his memory intact!
Growing up in the deep south
The Vega seemed to be white trash/redneck car of choice and I swore I would never ride in one.
Turns out my first boyfriend, with whom I moved with to Boston, drove a Vega... smh
The Answer
Thanks for playing, folks! Charles Street is correct.This is 73-75 Charles Street on January 14, 1973. You can see the original photo here: https://cityofboston.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_19056c84-b83...
For more photos from this survey, you can take a look here: https://cityofboston.access.preservica.com/index.php?name=SO_6e7ce012-cf...