Allston-Brighton
Encyclopedia
Allston-Brighton is a set of two interlocking Boston
neighborhoods, Allston
and Brighton
.
town line along Kelton Street (with land to the east of these streets falling in Allston, to the west, Brighton). Allston and Brighton are also identified by their respective postal zip codes (Allston's is 02134, Brighton's is 02135). Allston is generally understood as being in the northeast corner of Allston-Brighton, where it meets Brookline and the rest of Boston
in the commercialized Union Square or "Allston-Village" area. Brighton is seen as the larger southwestern portion of Allston-Brighton encompassing Brighton Center and the generally less urbanized neighborhoods. They are connected to the Fenway/Kenmore area of Boston by a tiny strip of land containing Boston University
along the Charles River
, with Brookline lying to the south and southeast, Cambridge
to the north and Newton
to the west, so they retain a very distinct neighborhood identity together. Allston-Brighton is often perceived as being separate from the rest of the city since many urbanized Greater Boston
areas such as Cambridge and Somerville
are independently governed cities, but it is in fact part of the city of Boston. It is divided by the Massachusetts Turnpike
(also known as interstate 90) into the main southern area and a smaller Northern "spur" separated from Cambridge by the Charles River.
. It was incorporated into the city of Boston and received one of the earliest streetcar
lines, becoming one of the nation's first streetcar suburb
s and home to some of Boston's moderately wealthy classes.
Headquarters and WGBH
, a public television station responsible for a large amount of national programming. Students from Boston's many universities are a large demographic in the area, and many residents resent the ongoing expansion of the Boston College
and Harvard University
campuses. Thanks in large part to students, Brighton Avenue at the heart of Allston has become a major nightlife destination featuring many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
.
is dominated by Boston College students.
•
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
neighborhoods, Allston
Allston, Boston, Massachusetts
Allston is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, located in the western part of the city. It was named after the American painter and poet Washington Allston. It comprises the land covered by the zip code 02134. For the most part, Allston is administered collectively with the adjacent...
and Brighton
Brighton, Boston, Massachusetts
Brighton is a dissolved municipality and current neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and is located in the northwest corner of the city. It is named after the town of Brighton in the English city of Brighton and Hove...
.
Geographical and technical Issues
Allston and Brighton's border runs along Everett Street in the North, running south along Gordon Street and terminates at the BrooklineBrookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
town line along Kelton Street (with land to the east of these streets falling in Allston, to the west, Brighton). Allston and Brighton are also identified by their respective postal zip codes (Allston's is 02134, Brighton's is 02135). Allston is generally understood as being in the northeast corner of Allston-Brighton, where it meets Brookline and the rest of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in the commercialized Union Square or "Allston-Village" area. Brighton is seen as the larger southwestern portion of Allston-Brighton encompassing Brighton Center and the generally less urbanized neighborhoods. They are connected to the Fenway/Kenmore area of Boston by a tiny strip of land containing Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
along the Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
, with Brookline lying to the south and southeast, Cambridge
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
to the north and Newton
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
to the west, so they retain a very distinct neighborhood identity together. Allston-Brighton is often perceived as being separate from the rest of the city since many urbanized Greater Boston
Greater Boston
Greater Boston is the area of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts surrounding the city of Boston. Due to ambiguity in usage, the size of the area referred to can be anywhere between that of the metropolitan statistical area of Boston and that of the city's combined statistical area which includes...
areas such as Cambridge and Somerville
Somerville
-Places:United States*Somerville, Alabama*Somerville, Indiana*Somerville, Maine*Somerville, Massachusetts*Somerville, New Jersey**Somerville Circle, a traffic circle near Somerville, New Jersey*Somerville, Ohio*Somerville, Tennessee*Somerville, Texas...
are independently governed cities, but it is in fact part of the city of Boston. It is divided by the Massachusetts Turnpike
Massachusetts Turnpike
The Massachusetts Turnpike is the easternmost stretch of Interstate 90. The Turnpike begins at the western border of Massachusetts in West Stockbridge connecting with the Berkshire Connector portion of the New York State Thruway...
(also known as interstate 90) into the main southern area and a smaller Northern "spur" separated from Cambridge by the Charles River.
Allston-Brighton history
Allston-Brighton was formerly an agrarian area known as Little CambridgeCambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
. It was incorporated into the city of Boston and received one of the earliest streetcar
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
lines, becoming one of the nation's first streetcar suburb
Streetcar suburb
A streetcar suburb is a residential community whose growth and development was strongly shaped by the use of streetcar lines as a primary means of transportation. Early suburbs were served by horsecars, but by the late 19th century cable cars and electric streetcars, or trams, were used, allowing...
s and home to some of Boston's moderately wealthy classes.
Allston-Brighton today
Today the area is a middle-class urbanized area occupied largely by a mix of dense residential neighborhoods and small businesses. It is home to the New BalanceNew Balance
New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. , best known as simply New Balance, is a footwear manufacturer based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. It was founded in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Support Company...
Headquarters and WGBH
WGBH-TV
WGBH-TV, channel 2, is a non-commercial educational public television station located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. WGBH-TV is a member station of the Public Broadcasting Service , and produces more than two-thirds of PBS's national prime time television programming...
, a public television station responsible for a large amount of national programming. Students from Boston's many universities are a large demographic in the area, and many residents resent the ongoing expansion of the Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
campuses. Thanks in large part to students, Brighton Avenue at the heart of Allston has become a major nightlife destination featuring many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Local Sports
The combined neighborhood supports a youth hockey team, "Allston-Brighton Youth Hockey" which holds most practices at the Reilly Memorial Rink in Cleveland CircleCleveland Circle
Cleveland Circle, an area of Boston, Massachusetts, is located in Boston's Brighton neighborhood, and more specifically the Aberdeen section of Brighton, in very close proximity to Brookline and Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, at the intersection of Beacon Street and Chestnut Hill Avenue.Cleveland...
.
Social scene
Allston-Brighton is one of Boston's most vibrant neighborhoods. Allston Village, defined by Harvard Avenue, includes an eclectic blend of shops, venues, apartments and people. A Bohemian vibe permeates the community. Diverse influences characterize the temperament of what some locals call Allston Rock City. A mixture of recent immigrants, college students, young professionals and artists adds to the diversity of the environment. Brighton Center, defined by Market and Washington Streets, is Allston's less rambunctious counterpart. Cleveland CircleCleveland Circle
Cleveland Circle, an area of Boston, Massachusetts, is located in Boston's Brighton neighborhood, and more specifically the Aberdeen section of Brighton, in very close proximity to Brookline and Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, at the intersection of Beacon Street and Chestnut Hill Avenue.Cleveland...
is dominated by Boston College students.
•