What's That Smell?

Former West Roxbury Municipal Court (copyright 2007)


So who thought it would be a good idea to put the municipal court directly above the stable?


Boston Daily Globe December 11, 1892


The new annex to police station 13 at Jamaica Plain will make that station of of the very best and most convenient in the city. It gives excellent quarters for the Police Court also and for the patrol wagon and ambulance.

The annex will be situated at the corner of Starr lane and Maple place, directly in the rear of the police station on Seaverns avenue,and will be connected with the police station by a corridor about 12 feet wide.

The building will be of red brick, laid in Flemish bond with terra cotta trimmings matching the brick. It will have a projecting roof with rafter ends showing.

The architectural style is Italian renaissance and is a characteristic piece of Architect Wheelright's handsome work.

The purpose of the annex are on the ground floor for the patrol wagon and ambulance house. This room is 30x40 feet, and will have an asphalt quadrilled floor.

There are to be four quick hitch-up stalls in the rear,and two spare ones.

The main entrance to the stable is through a deep revealed arch from Maple place. There is another entrance from Starr lane, which is to be used for the captain's buggy, etc.

There will be three staircases going to the court room on the second floor. Two will be from Maple place, which will be used by the public, and the other from Starr lane, which will be used by the judge. A separate stairway is also provided to the dock in the court room for the prisoners.

The court room is to be 30x40 feet. Along the Maple place front will be the room of the judge and clerk, with toilet rooms. In the rear of the building will be a dormitory and bath rooms for the officers who run on the patrol wagon and ambulance. The dormitory is connected with the lower floor by stairs and a sliding pole. Over the dormitory in an entresol story is to be the hay loft and grain room, which will be connected with the stable on the ground floor by chutes.




Boston Daily Globe March 24, 1915


Mayor Favors Site At Forest Hills Sq

West Roxbury courthouse Petition Received.

Present Building Inadequate and Unsanitary, It Is Claimed.


Mayor Curley yesterday receive a petition signed by a large number of the residents of West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain and Hyde Park asking for a new West Roxbury Courthouse, the one now being in use being inadequate for the business as well as unsanitary by reason of the maintenance of a stable in the basement.

As the city has the right of way and ownership of certain land in Forest Hills sq the Mayor believes that here would be a most desirable location for the Courthouse. It will be central for the sections affected.

The Mayor favors the proposition.