Then and Now: Thomas F. Galvin’s Flower Shop

Once, the corner of Boylston and Fairfield Streets was home to a lovely building housing Thomas F. Galvin's Flower Shop.

Thomas F. Galvin's flower shop

Click on this image to see a larger version pop up.

The panoramic photo above is from the Library of Congress Collection. (photo credit E. Chickering & Co.; October 29, 1903)

Thomas Galvin

This is Thomas F. Galvin from an article in the 1900 edition of The Successful American. The editors talked about his accomplishments, "…he has created at the corner of Boylston and Fairfield Street one of the most exquisite and charming conservatories to be found in the world." 

I have to wonder what he would think about what is left of his treasure today.

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When renovations began for a bank to take over his space, I had hopes for something tasteful. Remember when banks were elegant places? I was so hopeful that I tucked away the top photo from a post by And This Is Good Old Boston. (You'll find a lot more about this building at this link.)

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Instead, it became a "bank cafe" with a sign that has become a topic of conversation as a neighborhood eyesore.

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013, 2014 Penny Cherubino  

Comments

  1. APB Avatar
    APB

    Those signs ARE eyesores! Thanks for showing that this unusual building was even more interesting and much more beautiful once upon a time. Why do “improvements” inevitably make buildings worse?

  2. backbayflorist Avatar

    This is really informative post and I personally would like to appreciate the efforts. We are also dealing in same field hence found this informative to add in our process also. Once again thanks for your post.

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