Egleston Square

Egleston%20mural.jpgAt the northern corner of Franklin Park, Egleston straddles both Roxbury and Jamaica Plain and has many prominent community institutions, including an active Boston Public Library branch on Columbus Avenue, St. Mary's of the Angels Catholic Church - a small, diverse, community-minded parish, Boston's local cable station, and youth and arts organizations. Often considered a primarily Latino neighborhood, Egleston Square is actually one of the most diverse communities in Boston with many African American, white, and Spanish-speaking residents living side by side. Urban Edge, a large community development corporation, can be credited with ensuring that affordable housing does not disappear from the neighborhood. 

photo (above): a panel from the Egleston Square Peace Garden mural by local artist Roberto Chao.

The Egleston Square Main Streets, a non-profit organization working to enhance the business district along Washington Street offers recommendations for eating and shopping in Egleston.

  • Start the day with a scone and chai latte at Canto 6 on the corner of Washington and Green Streets. You can find cafe con leche at the 4M Market in the heart of the square - or if you run on Dunkin' that's near the big interesection on Columbus Ave.
  • To pamper yourself, try the various beauty salons and barbershops - you'll see men playing checkers at Alberto's.
  • Super Mario's has a wall of sneakers. What makes him super? One of the most affordable, hip, huge selection of athletic shoes in town.
  • Skippy White's is a one-of-a-kind record shop. If you can hum it, Skippy (star of the Time Capsule radio show) can find it. The best collection of R & B music in Boston.
  • For lunch or dinner, don't miss Star Fish, home of the best fish sandwich in town.

Go on the Egleston Square TREASURE HUNT, find everything from affordable gifts to Big Foot. Stop in at New York Avenue (be sure to talk to Mr. Kim) and check out the big Dollar Plus store. The Greater Big Foot Institute is at 3035 Washington Street.

NCAAA%20museum.jpgEgleston Square has several new and longtime community institutions that benefit local residents and those from outside the neighborhood.

National Center of Afro-American Artists - art museum on Walnut Avenue and home to Black Nativity and Elma Lewis' arts legacy.

photo: National Center Museum 

BNN - Boston Neighborhood Network - Boston's local cable station - great news, political coverage, and community shows. You can stop in and watch them filming or take a class and learn how to produce a show.

ESAC - Ensuring Stability through Action in our Community - services for low-income residents.

Youth: Egleston Square is home to several of Boston's great youth leadership and arts organizations that draw from across the city.
Teen Empowerment -empowering teens as agents of individual, institutional, and social change.
OrigiNation - celebrating African American culture through dance, music, and spoken word
826 Boston - non-profit writing and tutoring center for ages 6-18.
YMCA - afterschool for children from kindergarten - age 12. 

Schools:
Rafael Hernandez - bilingual, K-8, Boston Public elementary and middle school.
David Ellis Elementary School - K-5, Boston Public elementary school.
Ellis Mendell Elementary School- K-5, Boston Public elementary school.
Neighborhood School - a small, independent K-6 school on Peter Parley Road.
Our Lady of Lourdes - a K-8 parochial school on Amory Street.
Greater Egleston Community High School - alternative BPS high school.