Wollaston
Wollaston is a residential neighborhood in Quincy that became one of the area’s first commuter neighborhoods with the arrival of the “Old Colony Railroad” transporting workers to Boston in the late 1880s. The Wollaston neighborhood is divided into two main segments by Hancock Street/Route 3A with the Wollaston Beach on one side and Wollaston Hill on the other. Early residents built large, sprawling Victorians around the hill, many of which have survived with their period charm intact. Wollaston Beach offers a long stretch of beach lined with conservation areas, parks, and playgrounds where residents can enjoy a walk along the water while taking in views of the city skyline. The Wollaston Center encompasses a small commercial district with restaurants, ethnic food eateries, and sports pubs all within easy walking distance.
Wollaston claims a number of notable citizens and firsts. It was the home of William and Anne Hutchinson following their arrival from England in the 1630s, and it was in Wollaston where Anne began her career as the first female preacher in colonial America. The first Howard Johnson’s was established in Wollaston in 1925 and the basement of a former Japanese restaurant is rumored to have served as the original practice space for the punk band, the Dropkick Murphys, when they were just starting out.
Wollaston is bordered by the North Quincy neighborhood to the north; the Merrymount neighborhood and Quincy Center to the southeast and south; Quincy Bay to the east; and the town of Milton to the west.