ALLSTON BIO

Allston is indeed one of the most unique neighborhoods in the Boston area. Allston's diversity and the variety of the community are evident in the selection of stores and restaurants. The neighborhood of Allston is located to the west of downtown Boston and Back Bay, and is part of the municipality of Boston.

Allston along with neighboring Brighton was originally part of Cambridge. Both Allston and Brighton were rich farming communities and were known as "Little Cambridge". In 1807, after receiving approval from the legislative body of separation, Allston-Brighton chose the name Brighton for the new corporate entity. Allston evolved after the town voted to authorize a second post office. It was decided that the post office be called Allston after Washington Allston, a portrait painter, who had spent his life in Cambridge. Allston's transformation from a largely industrial and agricultural area into more of a residential community was a result of streetcar lines being laid connecting Allston to Cambridge, Roxbury and Boston. In 1888, a formal ceremony to celebrate the inauguration of the electric powered streetcar service to Boston was held when a streetcar traveled from Allston to Boston's Park Square. Public transportation either by streetcars which are still in use today along Commonwealth Avenue or bus service has permitted greater density in the Allston neighborhood.

Transportation has played another huge role in the landscape of Allston in addition to the streetcars. In 1964, the Weston to Allston segment of the Massachusetts Turnpike was opened. Although considered an engineering achievement of the time it physically ran through the center of Allston dividing the community in two, north and south.

Allston is home to a large number of students and young professionals due to its proximity to Harvard, Boston College and Boston University. Harvard Stadium which was built in 1903, has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Cultural and ethnic diversity makes Allston Village located around Harvard Avenue, Brighton Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, and Cambridge Street one of the most unique neighborhoods in the City of Boston. It is most evident by the variety and diversity of stores and restaurants that line the area. The annual "Taste of Allston Village" celebrates that uniqueness and invites people to explore the different cultures.

Allston was one of the first neighborhoods granted a Federal Funded Program called Main Streets in 1996, which has allowed the Allston Village area to undergo a stunning revitalization. Brighton Avenue has been completely redesigned with new median and sidewalk landscaping, new lighting, and brick cross walks. Banners printed in several languages "welcome" all to the community. The Jackson-Mann School located in Union Square has been developed into a community center.

Truly the community through the Allston Village Main Streets, is helping to make Allston a great place to live, work and socialize, embodying the slogan "It's all in Allston".