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Fascinating Historical Photos Of New Bedford, MA From The Early 20th Century

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New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts. It was one of the world’s leading whaling ports in the mid-19th century. At the turn of the twentieth century, when the whaling industry was declining, the economy of the city was shifted to the manufacturing and textile industry. The city was expanding outward and building upward in the form of triple-decker homes to support an ever-increasing working-class population. Along with the changing landscape, there were vast social and economic changes taking place and new waves of immigrants.

The pictures invite you on a journey through the neighborhoods and vibrant ethnic enclaves, individuals, wharves, establishments, and legendary stories that marked New Bedford in the early 20th century and provide a personal glimpse of individuals and communities that made New Bedford what it is today.

#1 Man and woman standing at the entrance to their house, built out of the hull of a ship; an ark, circa 1900

Man and woman standing at the entrance to their house, built out of the hull of a ship; an ark, circa 1900

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#2 New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge being repaired. Work men with bridge torn up, 1912

New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge being repaired. Work men with bridge torn up, 1912

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#3 Portrait of Rebecca Margolis and Alice Pierce, suffragettes, 1915

Portrait of Rebecca Margolis and Alice Pierce, suffragettes, 1915

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#7 Acushnet Avenue, looking south from Campbell, 1907

Acushnet Avenue, looking south from Campbell, 1907

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#11 Three sail makers seated at work at Briggs & Beckmans’ Sail Loft, 1915

Three sail makers seated at work at Briggs & Beckmans’ Sail Loft, 1915

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#12 Man balancing boxes of cranberries on his head with two other men looking on, New Bedford, 1916

Man balancing boxes of cranberries on his head with two other men looking on, New Bedford, 1916

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#14 Turner’s Court south side looking east from Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, 1907

Turner’s Court south side looking east from Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, 1907

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#15 “The Newest Little Italy” – Italians in the North End, grade crossing workers, 1907

“The Newest Little Italy” – Italians in the North End, grade crossing workers, 1907

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#16 Memorial Day. Captain J.F. Howell, Fort Rodman, 1913

Memorial Day. Captain J.F. Howell, Fort Rodman, 1913

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#17 “Barge Captain Murders and Mutilates” – barge Snipe with three boys in the foreground, 1914

“Barge Captain Murders and Mutilates” – barge Snipe with three boys in the foreground, 1914

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#18 Tomorrow Marks 42nd Anniversary of the So Called Chapman’s Monkey Fire, New Bedford, 1918

Tomorrow Marks 42nd Anniversary of the So Called Chapman's Monkey Fire, New Bedford, 1918

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#19 Coopers at work on oil barrels “flagging” a cask, New Bedford, 1918

Coopers at work on oil barrels “flagging” a cask, New Bedford, 1918

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#20 Edward R. Cole, last of the shipsmiths, maker of whalecraft, at the old forge in Fairhaven, New Bedford, 1910s

Edward R. Cole, last of the shipsmiths, maker of whalecraft, at the old forge in Fairhaven, New Bedford, 1910s

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#21 Two young boys with a goat near the waterfront, New Bedford, 1910s

Two young boys with a goat near the waterfront, New Bedford, 1910s

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#22 “The Newest Little Italy” – Italians in the North End, grade crossing workers, 1907

“The Newest Little Italy” – Italians in the North End, grade crossing workers, 1907

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#23 Market Street, south side looking east from 6th Street. Clark’s Fish Market, Hing Whang Chinese Laundry, 1907

Market Street, south side looking east from 6th Street. Clark's Fish Market, Hing Whang Chinese Laundry, 1907

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#24 Men posed around sailboat. Lucas & Kent Boat Shop in the background, 1907

Men posed around sailboat. Lucas & Kent Boat Shop in the background, 1907

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#25 Young boys in foreground posing for camera at Willis Point. Railroad in background, 1907

Young boys in foreground posing for camera at Willis Point. Railroad in background, 1907

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#26 “Greeks Observe Christmas Tomorrow in Accordance With Julian Calendar Adopted AD 321” – Greek church at Oxford, 1914

“Greeks Observe Christmas Tomorrow in Accordance With Julian Calendar Adopted AD 321” - Greek church at Oxford, 1914

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#27 Three girls with handkerchief at Buttonwood Park, playground outing, 1915

Three girls with handkerchief at Buttonwood Park, playground outing, 1915

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#29 Purchase Street. Tom Thompson’s marble shop, New Bedford Monumental Works, Spring and Fourth Street, 1905

Purchase Street. Tom Thompson's marble shop, New Bedford Monumental Works, Spring and Fourth Street, 1905

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#30 Front Street corner of Logan Street, Polish settlement, 1906

Front Street corner of Logan Street, Polish settlement, 1906

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Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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