Filed under: Graffiti, Inspiration | Tags: Boston, Graffiti, Inspiration, Jamaica Plain, Old-School, X-MEN
OK, first off I have to say this is barely an original post, all the pics are stolen off the internet along with the Dash history lesson, but the influence that Boston X-MEN had on my graffiti beginnings can’t be stated enough. Early to mid eighties, Boston’s elevated MBTA orange line was the center of graffiti. Looking out the windows at the cityscapes and the beautiful rooftop murals and signatures made a huge impression on me. When the el was taken down in 1989 focus turned to the streets. And from Egleston Square to Forest Hills up to Roslindale Square… it was all X-MEN…
a classic “X-MEN” blockbuster by MK. Not sure where this one was. There was one of these on a fire escape facing Egleston Sq in 89-90. It was a landmark spot. A very official “Welcome to Egleston: this is X-MEN territory!”
“SCENE” wasn’t X-MEN, but the “DASH” under SCENE’s “S” was. And this photo really brings back memories. After the orange line moved from it’s elevated Washington Street location to it’s present trench location, Amory and Lamartine streets became the new Washington Street in a way. This building was on Lamartine between Paul Gore and Wyman Streets. I would pass this on the regular going to see my first girlfriend on Sheridan St, so of course this time was quite impressionable. When this building was removed in the early 90’s for some new condos (a sign of times to come), it really was a nail in the coffin for an amazing era in Boston graffiti and my youth.
“MK” and “RICH3” at the top of the bleachers at English High School, home to many a writer’s meatings. Probably 1990. Well visible from Washington Street and Williams Street when cutting over to Amory Street. Great Spot.
great hand styles by WISDOM (X-MEN TUF).
“ARCH” between Jackson Square and Roxbury Crossing, probably 1990.
“MKAY” (MK) at Jamaica Plain High School, before it changed to English High School in 1989. Another classic location.Here’s a quick history lesson taken from BostonGraffitiGhosts.com…
Filed under: Back In The Days, Inspiration, Photography | Tags: 1980's, Back In The Day, Boston, Forest Hills, Jamaica Plain, MBTA, Old-School
Before Boston’s MBTA Orange Line went into the trench in 1987 it was (arguably) a beautiful elevated trainline. Forest Hills station would become my “ground zero”. Here are some pics from the late 70’s/ early 80’s, but looking very similar to the Forest Hills I knew going to school in 1986-1987…
West elevation Forest Hills station – looking East across site of former New Haven Railroad station.
View underneath Forest Hill station along the surface platform looking North.
View of upper level platform at Forest Hills station – looking North.
Interior view Forest Hills station showing the intermediate level stair platform which is suspended from the main structure.
View of concrete covered portion of elevated Mainline Structure (Section F-6) – looking Northeast along Washington Street at intersection of Arborway. Arborway overpass crosses overhead at left. In the background is the start of Section F-5. Arborway yard is at the center in the background.
View of elevated Mainline structure – looking North – along Washington Street at juncture of Section F-5 and Section F-6 (the concrete enclosed portion of structure). Remaining stub of the former incline that led down to the Arborway storage yards is at the right.
*All pics and descriptions taken from here.
Filed under: Graffiti | Tags: Collectable, Graffiti, Mean Streak, Old-School, Sanford, Sanford Mean Streak, Tools Of The Trade, Vintage
Nothing like when Flex comes through with a housewarming gift.. some old-school Sanford Mean Streaks from the early 90’s… even including the “Mean Streak condoms”! Nice! Another graf supply his pops confiscated in the 90’s and instead of throwin em out, saved em to give back when he thought it’d be safe. Haha.. IT’S NEVER SAFE…
Filed under: Graffiti | Tags: 1987, 2Mad, Boston, Coz, Designer, Fill-ins, Graffiti, Jayrock, Old-School, Tags
Some of the writers I saw coming up. All 1987 (ish).
2Mad (IIMad)
DS (Designer TAA) and CZ (Coz RUF)
Jayrock
Filed under: Art, Graffiti | Tags: Alone, Alone One, Alone1, Bible, Black Book, Boston, Graffiti, KBN, OD, ODose, Old-School
My main graffiti bible/ black book, started 1992..
pages 3-4 (click to enlarge)
Filed under: Photography | Tags: Back In The Day, Boston, Cash, Charles River, Coz, Dudley, Egleston, Elevated, Elevated Subway, Forest Hills, Graffiti, Green St., Green Street, History, Jamaica Plain, MBTA, Old-School, Orange Line, Remember When, Roxbury, Subway, Trains
Some pics that bring me back.. Boston’s elevated Orange Line.
MBTA Orange Line at Forest Hills Station (my old home base)
Inbound train at Green St., looking south
Green St., looking inbound
Egleston Station, my stop for school
Goin over the Mystic River
In the South End. You can see the sign for St Vincent de Paul in the background.
Elevated Orange Line in Roxbury. Check out Skippy Whites, best spot for vinyl back in the day.
Pulling out of Forest Hills Station, looking from the bus yard.
The elevated Orange Line tracks (R.I.P.) being removed, looking north from Forest Hills.
The above pics are taken from NYCsubway.org. Those are just some of my favorite pics, mainly because they are of my old stomping ground. Check out more old school MBTA flics on their website.
Coz getting up in 1986 (est). Mass, Tale, and Spell tags also up. (* above 2 pics stolen from the web, forgot where)
the old train route, 1979 MBTA map
The actual ride, Forest Hills to Dudley
part 2 of the ride
..and don’t forget their appearance at the end of the St. Elsewhere tv show’s intro.
