Day 302: Syriatown, Boston, Massachusetts
📌 APIA Every Day (302) - Boston's Little Syria, also known as Syriatown, was a vibrant immigrant enclave that flourished between the 1880s and 1950s. Located in the areas now encompassing Chinatown and the South End, this neighborhood became home to a significant population of Arabic-speaking immigrants from the SWANA (Southwest Asian North African) region, notably Syria and Lebanon. Centered around streets like Hudson Street and Tyler Street, the Syrian community established a rich cultural and economic presence characterized by bustling businesses and textile industries, peddling economies, religious institutions, and social organizations that reflected their Arab heritage.
The formation of Little Syria was closely linked to the wave of immigration from the Ottoman province of Greater Syria during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Seeking better economic opportunities and escaping political unrest, many Syrians and Lebanese settled in Boston, attracted by the city's industrial growth and economic opportunities. Among the notable figures was Hannah Sabbagh Shakir, a Lebanese-American businesswoman who co-founded the Syrian Ladies' Aid Society of Boston in 1917. This organization played a crucial role in supporting immigrants by providing essential services and building community.
While much of the physical landscape of Syriatown has been demolished due to urban renewal and the expansion of Boston’s Chinatown, public history-based preservation efforts ensure that the contributions of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants remain an integral part of the city’s immigration histories. The Boston Little Syria Project, a public history initiative, aims to preserve the little-known history of this once-thriving neighborhood through walking tours, exhibitions, and collaborations with local organizations such as universities and historical associations.
Written by Billy Zeng
LEARN MORE:
Passionate Foodie: Closed For Nearly 50 Years: A History Of The Sahara Syrian Restaurant
Arab America: Exploring the History of Boston’s Little Syria
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