By Roger Chartier

1815 Centre Street in New Bedford

Painted by William Allen Wall a famed artist

This scene shows the area known as Centre Street as it looked in 1815.

It has buildings that are noted as important in the city at the time. From 1750 to the early 1900's the business there was whaling.

William Allen Wall actually painted this watercolor scene in 1884.

It is an interesting view of the street that still exists today.

It has changed quite a bit. The names of the buildings are in order from top to bottom.

• The customs office
  
• A blacksmith shop
• A painter's shop and residence
  
• A cooper's shop (with casks and staves)
  
• A candleworks
  
• A brick warehouse (which still stands)
  
• Counting houses and storerooms.

This link is to a page showing Centre Street in Disrepair, in the 1800's.

The second image down is a current street map for a reference with a larger area than the top image.
and it is showing a view with North at the top.

Of course the map is current. It shows Rt 18, for an example, that was not there in 1815.
Click the picture to enlarge it.