Roslindale facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Roslindale
Neighborhood of Boston
Roslindale Congregational Church
Nicknames:  Rozzi, Rozzie (alternate spellings)
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Suffolk
Neighborhood of	Boston
Annexed by Boston	1873
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
Zip Code	02131
Area code(s)	617 / 857

Roslindale is a lively neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. It's mostly a place where people live, surrounded by other Boston neighborhoods like Jamaica Plain and Hyde Park.

Getting around Roslindale is easy! It has its own train line, many bus routes, and is close to the Orange Line subway. The neighborhood also has its own Boston Public Library branch. Police, ambulance, and fire services are all nearby to help keep everyone safe. Roslindale was once known as the "garden suburb" of Boston because of its green spaces. Part of the beautiful Arnold Arboretum is even located here.

Roslindale is about six miles southwest of downtown Boston. It used to be part of a town called Roxbury. In 1851, Roslindale, along with Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury, became separate from Roxbury. Later, in 1873, the people of Roslindale voted to become part of the City of Boston.

Roslindale's Story

How Roslindale Got Its Name

In the 1860s, this area was called South Street Crossing. This was because a railroad crossed South Street here. When the community wanted its own post office, the name "South Street Crossing" wasn't allowed.

A well-traveled person named John Pierce suggested the name Roslindale. He said the area reminded him of a historic town in Scotland called Roslin, near Edinburgh. Pierce also thought the area looked like a "dale," which is a valley, because of the hills around it. So, combining "Roslin" and "dale" gave the neighborhood its unique name. The United States Postal Service officially approved it.

Growing with the Railroad

Roslindale grew into a classic "streetcar suburb." This means it developed around public transportation lines. After the American Civil War, a railway was built, bringing new businesses and homes. Roslindale's population steadily grew starting in the 1880s. This was thanks to horse-drawn streetcar service connecting it to places like Forest Hills and Dedham.

The Forest Hills Train Accident

On March 14, 1887, a serious train accident happened in Roslindale. It's known as the Forest Hills disaster. A train with over 200 passengers was crossing a bridge at Bussey Street. This bridge was in what is now the Arnold Arboretum. The bridge suddenly collapsed, causing five train cars to pile up. Twenty-three people died, and over one hundred were hurt. This was one of the first major train accidents in the country. It led to widespread checks of train bridges all across the U.S. to make sure they were safe.

Roslindale Square Today

By the 1920s, Roslindale Square looked much like it does now, with Adams Park at its center. Roslindale blends with its neighboring areas. For example, the western part of Roslindale looks like West Roxbury, with many single and two-family homes and tree-lined streets. The northern part of Roslindale has more two and three-family homes and light industrial buildings, similar to nearby Jamaica Plain.

Cummins Highway Dedication

On March 1, 1929, over 5,000 people gathered to see Ashland Street renamed Cummins Highway. This was to honor Father John Cummins, the first pastor of Sacred Heart Church. Father Cummins was born in Charlestown in 1852. He became a priest in 1875 and started Sacred Heart Church in 1893.

The road was made wider, costing $750,000. At the dedication, Mayor Malcolm Nichols gave Father Cummins the pen used to sign the name change. Father Cummins then blessed the road and everyone who would travel on it. It was the first road in Boston to be called a "highway" and one of the few named after a living person.

A Shopping Hub's Comeback

Before large suburban shopping malls became popular in the 1970s, Roslindale Square was a major shopping area for Boston. It had department stores, showrooms, food markets, and a movie theater.

For many years, in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, Roslindale Square had empty stores and more vandalism. But today, it's doing great again as a local shopping spot! The Roslindale Substation has been restored, and new apartment buildings are being built. Since the 1980s, the Roslindale Village Main Street organization has worked hard to build community. They host events like the Roslindale Farmers' Market and the yearly tree lighting in Adams Park.

A portion of Roslindale Square on Belgrade Ave., directly across the street from the Roslindale Village Commuter Rail stop.

Who Lives in Roslindale?

Roslindale is a diverse neighborhood, meaning people from many different backgrounds live there. According to the 2020 census, its residents include people of White, Black or African-American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian or Pacific Islander, and other or multiple races.

Famous People from Roslindale

Schools in Roslindale

Elementary Schools

• Sacred Heart School
• John D Philbrick
• George H Conley
• Charles Sumner
• Mozart
• Phineas Bates
• Dennis C Haley
• Children's Learning Center
• Brooke Charter School

Middle Schools

• Sacred Heart School
• Brooke Charter School
• Washington Irving Middle School

High Schools

• St. Clare High School (now Brooke Charter School)

Roslindale in Pop Culture

• Roslindale is shown in the 2017 movie, Last Night in Rozzie.