Roxbury, Boston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Roxbury
Neighborhood of Boston
First Church of Roxbury
Seal
Motto(s):  Saxetum Dextris Deoque Confidens (Latin) "[In this] rocky borough, by God's right, we are confident"
Settled	28 September 1630
Incorporated	1630 Town 1846 City
Annexed by Boston	5 January 1868
Time zone	Eastern
• Summer (DST)	Eastern
Zip Code	02119, 02121, 02118,02125
Area code(s)	617 / 857

Roxbury is a neighborhood in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It's known as the "heart of Black culture in Boston."

Roxbury was one of the first towns founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. It became a city in 1846 and then joined Boston on January 5, 1868. The original Roxbury area was much larger than it is today. It included places like Longwood, Mission Hill, and parts of Symphony neighborhoods. This means areas like the Christian Science Center and Prudential Center were once part of Roxbury.

The neighborhood has many community gardens. It also has the city's first urban farm. This farm helps provide fresh, affordable food to the community. It also donates food to shelters and care facilities. Roxbury also has many centers that help young people and provide social services.

Roxbury was part of Suffolk County at first. Then it moved to Norfolk County in 1793. When it became part of Boston, it returned to Suffolk County.

Early History of Roxbury

Native American Roots

Before Europeans arrived, the Massachusett Native Americans lived in the Roxbury area. They had small communities and moved between inland winter homes and coastal summer homes. This allowed them to hunt, fish, and gather shellfish. Some old records mistakenly said no Native people lived here. But colonial documents and archaeological finds prove they did.

European Settlers Arrive

Munroe House, built in 1683, as seen in 1905

The Massachusetts Bay Colony started six towns, including Boston, Cambridge, and Roxbury. For over 200 years, Roxbury also included West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. Roxbury was important because it was the only land route to the capital. This made it key for travel and trade.

In the 1600s, Roxbury had valuable resources. These included good land for farming, timber, and a brook for water and power. It also had plenty of stone for building. The area is famous for its hills and large rocks called Roxbury Puddingstone. This stone was used for many house foundations. The village was first called "Rocksberry" because of these rocky soils.

Roxbury Town Hall built in 1810, as seen in 1899

The first settlers were part of the First Church in Roxbury, started in 1632. The church was used for worship and town meetings. Reverend John Eliot was an important leader. He worked to teach Christianity to Native Americans. He also helped move them into Indian Praying Towns.

Boston was connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land called Boston Neck. This area was home to early leaders like William Pynchon. Pynchon later left Roxbury to start Springfield, Massachusetts. Roxbury residents also grew apple orchards. They created a special apple called the Roxbury Russet, which was great for cider.

Roxbury in the American Revolution

The First Church of Roxbury was the starting point for William Dawes' "Midnight Ride." This ride happened on April 18, 1775. Dawes rode to warn Lexington and Concord about British raids. This event marked the start of the American Revolutionary War.

After the war, many people wanted to live in single-family homes away from the city. Roxbury became one of America's first suburbs. Many homes were built in the Greek Revival style. This style showed respect for the ancient Greek democracy.

Growth and Change in the 1800s

Trade grew in the early 1800s with goods like rum, salt, and fish. A horse-drawn carriage line and a railroad were built. In the 1840s, many Irish immigrants came to Massachusetts to escape the Great Famine. Some settled in Roxbury. St. Joseph's Catholic Church, built in 1846, was the first Catholic church for Irish people here.

Some homes of wealthy residents from this time still stand today. Examples include the Edward Everett Hale House and the Alvah Kittredge Mansion. Oakbend, built in 1872, is now the National Center of Afro-American Artists. As more workers were needed, old farms were divided. Single-family homes and multi-family homes were built. Trolley service started in 1887, helping people get around.

Roxbury in the 20th Century

In the early 1900s, many German immigrants settled in the Mission Hill area of Roxbury. They helped build many breweries. A Jewish community also grew in the early 20th century. Roxbury became a city in 1846 and joined Boston in 1868.

During the 1940s and 1950s, many African Americans moved from the South to northern cities. Roxbury became the main center for the African American community in Boston. Immigrants from the Caribbean, especially Jamaica and Barbados, also moved here.

Franklin Park, a large park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, was set aside during this time. It is part of the Emerald Necklace, a seven-mile stretch of parks in Boston.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Roxbury saw a decline in its population. This was due to social changes and urban renewal projects. In 1986, a group called the Greater Roxbury Incorporation Project wanted Roxbury to become its own city. They wanted to call it "Mandela" after Nelson Mandela. This idea was not approved.

Lower Roxbury Area

Lower Roxbury was once a busy area with shops and homes. People's Market, Boston's first supermarket in a Black neighborhood, was located here.

Roxbury's Industries and Economy

In the 1600s, most people in Roxbury farmed. By the 1700s, mills and tanneries were the main industries. In the 1800s, breweries, piano makers, and iron foundries provided jobs. By the early 1900s, Roxbury had many department stores, hotels, and theaters. Factories and warehouses also grew as marshes were filled in. Today, many spaces are used for offices or shops. The community focuses on creating jobs for local residents and youth.

Community Development and Urban Planning

Fort Hill Tower (also known as the Cochituate Standpipe), designed by Nathaniel J. Bradlee and built in 1869 on the site of Revolutionary War fortifications

In the 19th century, northern Roxbury became industrial. It had many English, Irish, and German immigrants. The rest of the town remained agricultural and saw the growth of early suburbs. This led to Roxbury becoming one of Massachusetts's first cities.

In the early 20th century, Roxbury became home to new immigrants. A strong Jewish community grew around Grove Hall. A large Irish population also developed around Nubian Square (then Dudley Square). After the 1940s and 1950s, Roxbury became the center of Boston's African American community.

In the 1980s, the Orange Line subway route was moved. This led to new investments in the area. These included Roxbury Community College and Ruggles Center. Today, there is a lot of new commercial and residential development. The Fort Hill area has seen many students and young professionals move in.

The building where the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative organization is located.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) has approved many new projects in Roxbury. These include new affordable housing units. The city is also building energy-efficient buildings. In 2013, Boston approved an urban agriculture law. Roxbury is home to the city's first urban farm, which opened in 2014.

The Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) is a group that helps the community. It has a diverse board of directors, including residents, youth, and local organizations. DSNI helps provide low-income housing. They plan to build many new homes in the Dudley Triangle area.

Roxbury's Population

The Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center is the largest mosque in Massachusetts.

Today, Roxbury is home to a diverse community. This includes African American, Hispanic, and Asian families, as well as young professionals. The neighborhood has a population of about 59,626 people (as of 2016). Most residents are Black or African American, followed by Hispanic or Latino. Many different languages are spoken at home, including English and Spanish.

Housing and Community Support

Roxbury has many housing resources. These include government housing programs and shelters. Organizations like Boston Fair Housing help residents buy and keep their homes. MASS Housing provides financing for affordable housing. The Section 8 voucher program also helps with housing. Action for Boston Community Development offers services to help families overcome poverty.

Food and Nutrition Programs

Project Bread supports over 400 community food programs across Massachusetts. These programs include soup kitchens, food pantries, and farmers market coupons. They help children, families, and elders get fresh food. The Food Project grows produce for farmers markets and hunger relief groups. The Foodsource Hotline helps people find food resources. They also provide information about school meals and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

A community garden in Roxbury.

Other Community Resources

The Green House Garden helps low-income families get fresh produce. It is run by volunteers and helps fight obesity. The BCYF (Boston Center for Youth and Families) Shelburne Community Center offers many activities. These include basketball, computer classes, and teen mentoring. It also partners with the Boston Police Department to help youth.

Roxbury has a new, energy-efficient police station. The police department also created a women's basketball team to build community bonds. Project R.I.G.H.T. connects residents to community growth and economic opportunities. The ExtraHelp program is a TV show that helps students with homework and tests. Child Services of Roxbury helps troubled youth and their families. Youth Build Boston teaches young people trades and skills.

Environmental Efforts

The Environment, Energy and Open Space Cabinet works to protect the environment. They focus on energy efficiency, green buildings, and recycling. The city is converting streetlights to LED to save energy. Renew Boston Solar encourages people to install solar energy systems. They make it easier to get permits and offer financing help.

Recreational Centers

The Roxbury YMCA helps young people lead healthy lives. It is one of the largest YMCAs in the country. It offers programs in adult education, sports, and health.

The John A. Shelburne Community Center provides recreation, education, and cultural activities. The Hattie B Copper Community Center focuses on leadership for women of color.

The Reggie Lewis Center, opened in 1995, is a famous track and field facility. It hosts many high school, college, and national track meets. It also offers community programs for children and adults. These include after-school tutoring, physical activities, and arts and crafts.

Education in Roxbury

Schools for All Ages

Students in Roxbury attend Boston Public Schools (BPS). Roxbury is home to Boston Latin Academy, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, and John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics & Science. These are highly-regarded secondary schools.

BPS has "pilot schools" that try new ways of teaching. They have more freedom to organize classes and staff. Roxbury also has "Horace Mann Charter Schools," which are public schools with more independence. Alternative schools help students who are new to America or who need different learning options. "Turnaround schools" get extra support to improve their performance.

Colleges and Universities

Roxbury Community College

Roxbury is home to Roxbury Community College. It offers Associate Degrees and certificate programs. The college has a diverse student body. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME) is also in Roxbury. It offers classes in many languages to serve its diverse students. Emmanuel College and Eastern Nazarene College also have programs in Roxbury.

Public Libraries

The Boston Public Library has the Dudley Branch Library in Roxbury. It also has the Dudley Literacy Center, which helps people learning English. The Grove Hall Branch Library is also nearby.

Other Educational Services

Boston Day and Evening Academy helps students who have struggled in school. It prepares them for graduation and college. City on a Hill Charter Public School is a network of tuition-free high schools. They help students who may not have been well-served by traditional schools. These schools help students pass state tests and go to college.

Fun Things to Do in Roxbury

Museums to Explore

Boston Children's Museum was founded in 1913. It is one of the oldest and largest children's museums in the world. It aims to inspire curiosity about science and art in young people.

The Hamill Gallery of African Art used to be in Roxbury. It had over 40,000 pieces of African art. It aimed to teach people about tribal art and its importance. The gallery closed in 2019.

Parks and Green Spaces

Roxbury has many parks and green spaces. These include the William J. Devine Memorial Golf Course and Franklin Park. Other parks include the Eliot Burying Grounds and the Puddingstone Garden. These parks have received grants to be restored and improved. Active parks like Southwest Corridor Park and Highland Park offer places to relax and play. The Elma Lewis Playhouse Park hosts concerts and events all year.

More Entertainment

The Roxbury Center for the Arts, Culture, and Trade celebrates community culture. It opened in 2005.

The Roxbury International Film Festival started in 1999. It shows films by and about people of color. It is New England's largest film festival of its kind. It also offers workshops for artists.

Since 2018, Roxbury has held the Roxbury Unity Parade. This parade celebrates the Black community and culture. The Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace has been held since 2000. You can also see public sculptures and murals on Ruggles Street and Malcolm X Boulevard. The MainStage theater at Roxbury Community College offers workshops and public plays.

Historic Buildings to See

• Abbotsford: Built in 1872, this Victorian Gothic-style house was once part of an apple orchard estate. Today, it's a museum dedicated to Black visual arts.
• First Haitian Baptist Church: Built in 1905 as a Jewish temple, it was later sold and restored by the First Haitian Baptist Church.
• Cox Houses: Built in 1871, these marble-clad houses show the popular French style of the time. They were meant to attract middle-class families.
• Cox Building: Built in 1870, this building shows Roxbury's change from a rural town to a suburb. It had shops and hotel rooms, with homes attached.
• Edward Everett Hale House: This Greek Revival home belonged to Edward Everett Hale, a famous writer and reformer.
• Eliot Burying Ground: The oldest cemetery in Roxbury, established in 1630. Reverend John Eliot is buried here.
• First Church in Roxbury: The oldest wood-frame church in Boston, built in 1804. It is the fifth church on this site since 1632.
• Freedom House: Established in 1949, this is an important social and political gathering place for Roxbury and nearby neighborhoods.
• Hibernian Hall: Built in 1913, this was a lively Irish social club and dance hall. It now serves as the Roxbury Center of the Arts.
• Pierpont-Stony Brook Mill Site: This was a public boat landing in colonial times. It later became a large rope manufacturing mill.
• Malcolm X House: This was the home of Ella Little-Collins, sister of activist Malcolm X. He lived here in the early 1940s.
• Palladio Hall: Built in the late 1870s, this building is a rare example of Italian Renaissance commercial style in Boston.
• Shirley Eustis House: Construction began in 1747. This mansion is one of only four remaining colonial governors' mansions in the United States.
• Spooner-Lambert House: Built in 1782 for Major John Jones Spooner.
• William Lloyd Garrison House: This Greek Revival home was where William Lloyd Garrison, a leader of the anti-slavery movement, lived.

Getting Around Roxbury

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provides subway and bus services in Roxbury. The Silver Line stops at [[{{{station}}} (MBTA station)|{{{station}}}]], which is a bus hub. Many bus lines also serve the Roxbury community.

Famous People from Roxbury

Sites to Visit in Roxbury

• Franklin Park Zoo
• Hibernian Hall
• John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics & Science
• Madison Park Technical Vocational High School
• Nubian Square
• Roxbury Community College
• Shirley-Eustis House

See also

In Spanish: Roxbury (Boston) para niños