Looking down Southbourne we can see out to Hyde Park Ave, still a busy major thoroughfare, as it was when these houses were built. The BDHC screened off these enclaves of cottages by building a set of apartment houses (still designed in a healthful manner with light and outdoor space for families behind them) to offset the noise of the road, which were completed in 1914. Imagine there was a row of white apartment buildings (it was nicknamed White City) where the senior living complex now stands. Unfortunately, those were torn down in 1976.
The ideas of the Boston Dwelling House Company could not withstand the financial constraints of WWI and the recession that followed. Construction stopped. In the end, the BDHC built 38 houses to Pope’s original plan (and 72 apartments). Later construction had no integrated planning or common design and Pope’s master plan was abandoned. The BDHC met its demise during the Great Depression. In 1937, the City took 77 house lots for back taxes. But we are lucky that the city has grown around this little enclave and we can still visit the only Garden City subdivision in Boston.
Follow Wachusett back to the starting point at Walk Hill Street, or there is a 32 bus stop at Southbourne and Hyde Park Ave to get back to Forest Hills.