• Change
• Discuss
• History

Codman Square Town Hall is smack in the middle of the Square, where Washington Street, Talbot Avenue and Norfolk Street converge. The territory of the Square then branches out out along Washington street for several blocks in both directions. The West Tremlett Neighborhood is the name for the area west of Washington Street and north of Talbot Avenue and would also be included in the greater Codman Square area. By 1803 this intersection became known as Baker's Corner, taking its name from Dr. James Baker's store. The construction of the Second Church soon followed to serve a population grown too large for the First Church on Meeting House Hill. Town Hall was built in 1816 in the Square because of its central location, and Baker's Corner became known also as Dorchester Center. In 1848 the intersection was officially renamed Codman Square in honor of the Reverend John Codman who had died the year before, after ministering to the members of the Second Church for 39 years. Codman Square is a neighborhood of Boston that had been a vibrant community until the 1970s, when disinvestment and dramatic demographic change made it one of the most blighted communities in Boston. Riots in 1978 completed the destruction of the commercial district, while house fires, in some years in the 1970s numbering one per day, made some of the residential districts into urban wastelands. Dramatic increases in crime, health indicators that approximated third world figures, and high unemployment created very difficult living circumstances, with the outside perspective indicated in headlines that read "Surviving in Codman Square," "Death on Disputed Turf," "Births in the Death Zone," "Urban Terrorism in Boston," and "Fleet Teenagers Roam Dorchester Badlands." Although not yet complete, this neighborhood is definately experiencing a turnaround. Frequent bus service and a small but well kept parking lot are attracting many shoppers; thus both big name chains and small family businesses are now flourishing. New low and moderate income housing is being built and improved street lighting are making the area more family friendly.