I'm Robert Gillis. My profession is computer geek / demigod (20+ years) but my love is writing. Since 1996, I've written a regular Op-Ed column for the Foxboro Reporter, and since 2006, for the Boston City Paper. My first book, "Nana: My grandmother, Anne Gillis" is published commercially and is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. You can buy it now or get more information at www.NanaGillisBook.com. My professional photography is www.GillisPhotos.com. Welcome. Browse. Enjoy.
Looking for Pictures of Uphams Corner, 1970-1980

by Robert Gillis
published in the Boston City Paper 4/2008

As you all know, I grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts, near Uphams Corner, during the 1970s. Does anyone out there have pictures of Uphams Corner as it was back then? I’m not looking for present day images but pictures taken from 1970 to 1980.

I am specifically looking for pictures of:

  • Brigham’s
  • Hancock Street
  • The A&M Market on Hancock Street (interior pictures would be very appreciated, Dad worked there?)
  • The Rill Street Market on Hancock Street (remember that?)
  • The old post office across from the fire station on Columbia Road
  • The Elm Farm (Uphams Corner Market -- inside pictures would be even better, we shopped there all the time)
  • Rixx Drug Store
  • Saint Kevin Church interior as it was back then
  • Saint Kevin School interior (both buildings)
  • Pictures of Father Kierce, Father Curran, Father Buschette
  • Fanny Farmer Candy Store
  • Liggets Drug Store
  • United Stores
  • Edward Everett Federal Savings Bank
  • Shawmut Bank
  • Dorchester Savings Bank clock (with DSB logo, not current)
  • Big Daddy Pizza
  • Kresgees
  • Diskay
  • Cummings
  • Righter’s Hardware
  • Barker & Collier Stationary Store (this one would mean a lot)
  • Uphams Corner Christmas decorations (there used to be beautiful strings of Christmas lights across the streets)
  • Pictures of the Uphams Corner area 1970-1979
  • Freeman’s Drug Store, corner of Trull and Hancock, burned down in late 1970s
  • Ruggerios Market, on Stoughton Street, now Alves Market
  • A picture of Pope John Paul II riding through Uphams Corner when he visited Boston in October 1, 1979 -- the one I took is very grainy.

All of these buildings (well most) still exist but are now other stores. What I’m trying to find is any pictures people might be willing to share of Uphams Corner from that era -- a JPG scan mailed to robertxgillis@aol.com would be VERY appreciated. If you have a collection, we could discuss price for copies. Please email me if you have any of these images? I will pay a reasonable price ($5.00 for a picture?).

Many thanks -- any help would be very appreciated from a guy "originally from Dorchester!"

26 March 2008




When GillisPhotos.com was launched in early 2005, everything was created with a mix of Perl scripts to generate pieces of HTML code. Not rocket science, but adding galleries, new pages and photos was tedious and time consuming. Ktools Photostore proved to be a Godsend. With Ktools Photostore, customization is easy, updates and changes are a breeze, and adding photos and galleries is simple. In addition, Ktools Photostore has dozens of features designed specifically for photo sellers. Ktools Photostore allows us to concentrate on photography rather than coding and scripting. We HIGHLY recommend Ktools Photostore.   Click here to learn more.

This site is a member of WebRing.
To browse visit Here.

Some helpful site keywords: Current Events, Family, New England, Photography, New England Photography, Boston, Dorchester, Family Life, Pop Culture, Humor, Massachusetts, News, Movie Reviews, Concert Reviews, Parody, Springsteen, Robert Gillis, Bob Gillis, Computer, Jaycees, Foxboro Jaycees, Nana, Life stories, Preventing fraud, Politics, TV, Superman, Vocations, Star Trek, Book Reviews, Nana my grandmother Anne Gillis, Anne Gillis. Gillis Photos: Specializing in the sights of beautiful New England, buy professional prints for framing, or license images for your advertising, graphic design, marketing, publication, web site, or multimedia project. Print prices start at $25; license fees are very reasonable.