Turn of the century, New Bedford was in the midst of momentous change. The whaling industry was declining, the textile industry was now the city’s mainstay, and the city was expanding outward and building upward in the form of triple-decker homes to support an ever-increasing working class population.
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| New Bedford in the early 20th century |
Along with the changing landscape, there were vast social and economic changes taking place and new waves of immigrants—not associated with whaling—coming into the city, establishing enclaves, and weaving their languages, cuisines, and cultures into the fabric of New Bedford.
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.
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| Man and woman standing at the entrance to their house, built out of the hull of a ship; an ark, circa 1900 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| Looking west on Elm Street, 1901 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| “Portuguese Navy Yard”, 1905 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| Mrs. Mann gets evicted, 1905 |
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| Penikese Island leper cottages, 1905 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| Purchase Street. Tom Thompson's marble shop, New Bedford Monumental Works, Spring and Fourth Street, 1905 |
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| Front Street corner of Logan Street, Polish settlement, 1906 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| “Here in New Bedford” Turner’s Court south side looking east from Acushnet Avenue, 1907 |
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| “New Bedford as a fishing port”, 1907 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| “The Newest Little Italy” – Italians in the North End, grade crossing workers, 1907 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| “The Newest Little Italy” – Italians in the North End, grade crossing workers, 1907 |
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| Acushnet Avenue, looking south from Campbell, 1907 |
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| Market Street, south side looking east from 6th Street. Clark's Fish Market, Hing Whang Chinese Laundry, 1907 |
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| Men posed around sailboat. Lucas & Kent Boat Shop in the background, 1907 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| Young boys in foreground posing for camera at Willis Point. Railroad in background, 1907 |
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| St. John the Baptist, burned, 1908 |
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| New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge being repaired. Work men with bridge torn up, 1912 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| Roger Fay’s beer truck, 1912 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| Memorial Day. Captain J.F. Howell, Fort Rodman, 1913 |
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| “Barge Captain Murders and Mutilates” – barge Snipe with three boys in the foreground, 1914 |
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| “Greeks Observe Christmas Tomorrow in Accordance With Julian Calendar Adopted AD 321” - Greek church at Oxford, 1914 |
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| Portrait of Alden H. Manter, old whaleman, 1914 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| Portrait of Rebecca Margolis and Alice Pierce, suffragettes, 1915 |
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| Three girls with handkerchief at Buttonwood Park, playground outing, 1915 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| Three sail makers seated at work at Briggs & Beckmans’ Sail Loft, 1915 |
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| Man balancing boxes of cranberries on his head with two other men looking on, 1916 |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| “Tomorrow Marks 42nd Anniversary of the So Called Chapman's Monkey Fire”, 1918 |
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| Coopers at work on oil barrels “flagging” a cask |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| Edward R. Cole, last of the shipsmiths, maker of whalecraft, at the old forge in Fairhaven |
Portraits of a City: 30 Amazing Photos of New Bedford in the Early 20th Century
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| Two young boys with a goat near the waterfront |