Vintage: Boston during the Winter (1910s and 1920s)

Vintage: Boston during the Winter (1910s and 1920s)

MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2025

Here’s a selection of photographs taken by Leslie Jones, staff photographer for the Boston Herald-Traveler from 1917 to 1956, documents daily life in Boston from between the 1910s and 1920s, including during its snowiest days.

Circa February 1922. Statue of Garrison, Comm. Ave., covered with snow.

Circa February 1922. Statue of Garrison, Comm. Ave., covered with snow. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa 1923. Mt. Vernon St. after a big snowstorm.

Circa 1923. Mt. Vernon St. after a big snowstorm. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa 1923. Fire alarm box almost covered up by snow after severe snowstorm.

Circa 1923. Fire alarm box almost covered up by snow after severe snowstorm. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa 1923. People looking at the weather instruments on Common in snow.

Circa 1923. People looking at the weather instruments on Common in snow. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa 1910s. Horse pulling wagon slips in snow.

Circa 1910s. Horse pulling wagon slips in snow. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa 1925. Horse slips on Tremont St.

Circa 1925. Horse slips on Tremont St. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa February 1928. Hamilton statue, Commonwealth Ave. Mall covered with snow.

Circa February 1928. Hamilton statue, Commonwealth Ave. Mall covered with snow. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa 1910s. Horse-drawn sleigh for hauling goods, market district.

Circa 1910s. Horse-drawn sleigh for hauling goods, market district. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa 1916. Severe snowstorm reaches Boston, clearing snow at corner of Park and Tremont St.

Circa 1916. Severe snowstorm reaches Boston, clearing snow at corner of Park and Tremont St. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

February 14, 1920. Wharf during a Valentine's Day storm.

February 14, 1920. Wharf during a Valentine’s Day storm. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa February 1920. Police officer helps woman through blinding snow during a blizzard in Boston.

Circa February 1920. Police officer helps woman through blinding snow during a blizzard in Boston. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa February 1920. Blizzard wreaks havoc on a working horse near South Station, breaking shaft and dumping his load of snow.

Circa February 1920. Blizzard wreaks havoc on a working horse near South Station, breaking shaft and dumping his load of snow. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa February 1920. Horse and wagon accident next to Common.

Circa February 1920. Horse and wagon accident next to Common. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa February 1920. Horse pulling wagon slips in snow next to Common.

Circa February 1920. Horse pulling wagon slips in snow next to Common. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

Circa 1921. Kids on sleds plough through water to enjoy ice hidden below.

Circa 1921. Kids on sleds plough through water to enjoy ice hidden below. Image courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection


MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2025