A street with centuries of history, Boston’s Washington Street earned the “Great American Main Street” award.
While all parts of Washington Street have existed for centuries, most of it was formally built in the 19th century. It held various names in its time, from Orange Street to even Newbury Street.
Washington Street named ‘Great American Main Street’
Eventually, the city resettled on the name “Washington Street.” The street begins in Boston near State and Court and travels through Downtown, the Theatre District, South End, and beyond, before it reaches Roslindale and extends into Greater Boston.
The long street travels directly to one of the city’s most iconic parks and is primarily serviced by the orange and silver MBTA lines.
Over 100 American streets made the list since the inaugural awards in 1995. Washington Street is the only Massachusetts street to ever make the list, earning recognition in 2005. The only other New England street on the list is downtown Burlington, Vermont, awarded in 1997.
