Editing Allston

{{Short description|Neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts}}
{{For|the surname|Allston (surname)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Allston
|settlement_type          = [[Neighborhoods in Boston|Neighborhood of Boston]]
|image_skyline            = File:Packardscorner.jpg
|imagesize                = 300px
|image_caption            = [[Packard's Corner]] at the intersection of [[Commonwealth Avenue (Boston)|Commonwealth Avenue]] and [[U.S. Route 20 in Massachusetts|Brighton Avenue]] in Allston
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =
|nicknames                 = Allston, Rat City, Rock City
|motto                    =
|image_map                =
|mapsize                  = 100px
|map_caption              = Location of Allston in [[Boston]], Massachusetts
|image_map1               =
|mapsize1                 =
|map_caption1             =
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = State
|subdivision_type2        = County
|subdivision_type3        = Neighborhood of
|subdivision_name1        = [[Massachusetts]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Suffolk County, Massachusetts|Suffolk]]
|subdivision_name3        = [[Boston]]
|established_title        =
|established_date         =
|established_title2       =
|established_date2        =
|established_title3       = 
|established_date3        = 
|government_type          =
|leader_title             =
|leader_name              =
|leader_title1            =
|leader_name1             =
|area_magnitude           =
|area_total_km2           =
|area_total_sq_mi         =
|area_land_km2            =
|area_land_sq_mi          =
|area_water_km2           =
|area_water_sq_mi         =
|elevation_m              =
|elevation_ft             =
|population_as_of         = 
|population_density_km2   =
|population_density_sq_mi =
|postal_code_type         = Zip Code
|postal_code              = 02134
|area_codes                = [[Area codes 617 and 857|617 & 857]]
|website                  =
|footnotes                =
|population               = 
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset               = −5
|blank_name               =
|blank_info               =
|blank1_name              =
|blank1_info              =
}}

'''Allston''' is an officially recognized [[Neighborhoods in Boston|neighborhood]] in [[Boston]], Massachusetts, United States. It was named after the American painter and poet [[Washington Allston]]. It comprises the land covered by the zip code 02134.<ref name="Best Places">{{cite web|title=Best Places|url=https://www.bestplaces.net/people/zip-code/massachusetts/boston/02134 |access-date=October 18, 2022}}</ref> For the most part, Allston is administered collectively with the adjacent neighborhood of [[Brighton, Boston|Brighton]]. The two are often referred to together as [[Allston–Brighton]]. [[Boston Police Department]] District D-14 covers the Allston-Brighton area and a Boston Fire Department Allston station is located in Union Square which houses Engine 41 and Ladder 14. Engine 41 is nicknamed "The Bull" to commemorate the historic stockyards of Allston.

Housing stock varies but largely consists of brick apartment buildings, especially on Commonwealth Avenue and the streets directly off it, while areas further down Brighton Avenue, close to Brighton, are largely dotted with wooden [[triple-decker]]s. Lower Allston, across the Massachusetts Turnpike from the southern portion of Allston, consists of mostly 1890–1920s single-family and multi-family [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] homes.

==Area description==
[[File:Engine 41 Boston Fire Department 09222015.jpg|thumb|Engine 41 Boston Fire Department in Allston neighborhood in 2015]]
Allston borders the [[Boston]] neighborhoods of Fenway, Kenmore, and Brighton and the town of Brookline. Allston is bordered on the east and north by the [[Charles River]], and [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]], is accessible via several bridges.

The area north of the turnpike near the [[Charles River]] is known as Lower Allston (or North Allston). It consists of streets north of Cambridge Street and the Turnpike, all the way to the Charles River. It extends westward to Everett Street and eastward to the Charles River.  In its center is Allston Square at the crossroads of Western Avenue and North Harvard Street.  Allston is named for the great painter and 1800 Harvard graduate, Washington Allston, "The Father of American Romanticism".  Allston Square is appropriately located halfway between Harvard Square in the north and Allston Village, Boston's 'Greenwich Village' in the south.  Allston claims to be the only community in America named for an artist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lowerallston.com|title=Lower Allston Website, Lower Allston, MA 02134|work=lowerallston.com}}</ref>

Lower Allston is a small neighborhood that consists of a mix of young professionals, blue-collar tradesmen, members of the educational community, homeowners, and long-term residents. Unlike the rest of Allston, Lower Allston has far fewer students. The neighborhood is very quiet, has extremely low crime,{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} and is an easy walk to Allston Village or [[Harvard Square]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walkscore.com/get-score.php?street=11+royal+street%2C+allston%2C+ma+02134|title=11 Royal St|work=Walk Score}}</ref>

Lower Allston has close proximity to Route 2, the Mass Pike, Storrow Drive, and Soldiers Field Road. Public transportation includes the Red Line at Harvard Square, the Green Line at Packard's Corner or Harvard Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue and the 57, 66, 70, 71, and 86 bus connections on North Harvard Street and Western Avenue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mbta.com/rider_tools/trip_planner/default.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229005812/http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/trip_planner/default.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-12-29|title=MBTA Trip Planner > Find the Best Way to Get to Your Destination|author=RDVO, Inc.|work=mbta.com}}</ref>

In the early 21st century, [[Harvard University]] announced dramatic expansion plans that called for major building projects, including the demolition of existing businesses, to prepare for the construction of new biology and science buildings in the northern sections of Lower Allston.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://construction.harvard.edu/allston/westernaveutilities/project-updates.html |access-date=January 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019210130/http://www.construction.harvard.edu/allston/westernaveutilities/project-updates.html |title=WESTERN AVE. UTILITIES CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY UPDATE WEEK OF OCTOBER 18TH, 2010 |archive-date=October 19, 2010 }}</ref> While the existing building stock was demolished and businesses were evicted, the financial crisis of 2008 and the resultant decrease in Harvard's endowment caused the university to suspend the expansion projects. In 2016, Harvard began building again, has completed two new buildings and is starting on the new, state-of-the-art Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences on Western Avenue west of Allston Square by the Charles River.  Later, it will begin construction of the "Gateway" building on the northeastern corner of Allston Square.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/education/09towngown.html?_r=2&scp=3&sq=allston&st=cse |title=Slump Revives Town-Gown Divide Across U.S., May 8, 2009 |publisher=NYT|access-date=2011-01-23|last=GOODNOUGH|first=ABBY |date=May 9, 2009}}</ref>

{{Wide image|Cambridge-pan-small.jpg|900px|The [[Charles River]] viewed at night in winter from the [[John W. Weeks Bridge|Weeks footbridge]] with Allston to the right and [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] to the left.}}

==History==
[[File:1909 Postcard of Allston Depot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Allston Railroad Station, about 1909]]
[[File:Harvard Avenue Historic District Boston MA.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Park Vale Avenue looking toward Brighton Avenue]]
[[File:Harvard and Commonwealth - April 1912.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|1222 Commonwealth Avenue in 1912]]
Allston was an eastern section of the former town of [[Brighton, Boston|Brighton]].

In 1867, a new railroad depot for the [[Boston and Albany Railroad]] opened. In 1868 the station and post office in Brighton's eastern portion were given the name "Allston" after [[Washington Allston]], the noted [[Painting|painter]] who had lived and worked across the [[Charles River]] in the [[Cambridgeport, Cambridge|Cambridgeport]] section of Cambridge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harvard Avenue History |publisher=Brighton Allston Historical Society |url=http://www.bahistory.org/HarvAveHist.html |access-date=April 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320231240/http://www.bahistory.org/HarvAveHist.html |archive-date=March 20, 2012 }}</ref> It can even be said to have been named for a specific painting: Washington Allston's "Fields West of Boston".

Allston has never existed as a separate political entity in its own right. Brighton was annexed by the City of Boston in 1874.  [[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]] owned several properties in Allston.  In 1887 the wooden depot was replaced by the station depicted at the right.  In 1888 Boston's first trolley route began there, running a route through [[Coolidge Corner]], Brookline, to Boylston Street, to downtown Boston.<ref>{{cite web|title=Important Allston Brighton Dates |publisher=Brighton Allston Historical Society |url=http://www.bahistory.org/bahdates.html |access-date=April 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415041614/http://www.bahistory.org/bahdates.html |archive-date=April 15, 2012 }}</ref>

The Allston community developed largely around large [[Rail transport|railroad]] and [[livestock]] operations. The [[Boston and Albany Railroad]] operated a major [[rail yard]]. Stockyards and a large [[Slaughterhouse|abattoir]] operated nearby in the northern part of Brighton. All livestock activity ended by the mid-20th century, although much of the rail yard remained in use until 2013 as [[CSX Transportation]]'s [[Beacon Park Yard]].

A strip running from Brighton Avenue in Allston out [[Commonwealth Avenue (Boston)|Commonwealth Avenue]] toward [[Kenmore Square]] was Boston's original "Automile", lined with [[Car|automobile]] dealerships. Packard's Sales Stable and Riding School<ref name="Packards">{{cite web|url=http://www.bahistory.org/PackCornHist.html|title=Packard's Corner History|work=bahistory.org}}</ref> gave [[Packard's Corner]] its name, which was then perpetuated by the presence of an opulent [[Packard]] dealership. Only a [[Toyota]] dealer and a [[Vespa]] dealer remain, but the windowed buildings along the eastern end of Brighton Avenue reflect this history.

The [[Massachusetts Turnpike]] Extension, built largely on part of the Boston and Albany right-of-way, opened through Allston in 1964 and 1965.<ref name="pike">{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonroads.com/roads/mass-pike/|title=Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90)|work=bostonroads.com}}</ref>

==Culture==
Allston is home to numerous small businesses and restaurants. Brighton Avenue, between Packard's Corner and Allston Street, boasts various ethnic and national cuisines from around the world.  Harvard Avenue hosts a number of furniture stores, thrift shops, and stores that offer items for resale, due to the large student body and high residential turnover.

The section of the neighborhood that lies immediately south of the turnpike and centers on the stretch of Harvard Avenue between [[Commonwealth Avenue (Boston)|Commonwealth Avenue]] and Cambridge Street also houses many shops, bars, and restaurants. Recent business promotion initiatives have dubbed this area "Allston Village".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allstonvillage.com|title=Allston Village Main Streets|work=allstonvillage.com}}</ref> This area is also home to a concentration of Korean American businesses and restaurants.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/05/27/metro/allstons-koreatown-american-dream-grinds-despite-demographic-shifts/ |title=In Allston’s Koreatown, the American dream grinds on despite demographic shifts |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |author=Danny McDonald |date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>

===Allston Christmas===
{{Main|Moving Day (Boston)}}
Annually, during days leading up to and following September 1, Allston, the [[Fenway-Kenmore]] area, the [[Longwood Medical and Academic Area|Longwood area]], [[Mission Hill, Boston|Mission Hill]], and Brighton (among many others in [[Greater Boston]]) experience a period known as [[Allston Christmas]].<ref name="Boston.com1">{{cite news|last1=Levenson|first1=Eric|title=The massive move-in extravaganza of 'Allston Christmas,' explained|url=http://realestate.boston.com/news/2015/08/31/the-massive-move-in-extravaganza-of-allston-christmas-explained/ |access-date=August 25, 2016|work=Boston.com|date=31 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019230500/http://realestate.boston.com/news/2015/08/31/the-massive-move-in-extravaganza-of-allston-christmas-explained/ |archive-date=19 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=DeCosta-Klipa|first=Nik | date=1 September 2018| title= A brief guide to staying sane during the madness of Allston Christmas—whether you're moving or not| url= https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2018/08/30/allston-christmas-boston-moving-permits-storrow| work= Boston Globe| access-date= 31 May 2019 |quote=[T]he spectacle is hardly isolated to Allston…The Fenway-Kenmore area had the highest off-campus student population…Allston was second…followed by the Longwood area, Mission Hill, and Brighton…The City of Boston's data on moving truck permits show how, in addition to the Allston-Brighton area, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the North End, South End, and Southie are also places where the streets will be crowded with movers.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Diamant|first=Anita| date=31 August 2018| title= 'Tis The Season Of Sidewalk Trash — But Sometimes You Find A Treasure| url= https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2018/08/31/allston-christmas-anita-diamant| work=WBUR| access-date= 31 May 2019|quote=September 1 is called 'Allston Christmas'...but that's a misnomer and a gross understatement; it happens all over greater Boston and goes on for a solid two weeks.}}</ref> This period is referred to as such because it is the time of year when renters (many of whom are college students) move out their things so new renters (also frequently college students) can move in.

A large number of [[rental agreement]]s in Greater Boston expire on September 1, just before the [[Labor Day]] weekend, causing large numbers of tenants to move to their new quarters simultaneously. This synchronized mass movement also makes it difficult to rent large vehicles during the weeks surrounding September 1. The renters who are leaving often put their unwanted possessions out in the streets for those who may want the items, which include bedding, couches, tables, kitchenware, and clothing. Unsalvaged items also contribute to unusually large trash and recycling pickups scheduled around the time.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Laskowski|first1=Amy|title=Allston Christmas: the Most Wonderful Time of the Year|url=https://www.bu.edu/today/2015/allston-christmas-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/|access-date=August 25, 2016|work=BU Today|date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828074853/https://www.bu.edu/today/2015/allston-christmas-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/|archive-date=28 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="Heights">{{cite news|last1=Mennicken|first1=William|title=Students Find Trash, Treasure on 'Allston Christmas' Move-In Day|url=http://bcheights.com/metro/2015/students-find-trash-treasure-on-allston-christmas-move-in-day/|access-date=August 25, 2016|work=The Heights|date=September 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920125721/http://bcheights.com/metro/2015/students-find-trash-treasure-on-allston-christmas-move-in-day/|archive-date=20 September 2016}}</ref>

===Music===
Music venues in Allston include Brighton Music Hall (formerly [[Harpers Ferry (nightclub)|Harpers Ferry]]), [[Great Scott (music venue)|Great Scott]], O'Brien's Pub, [[Paradise Rock Club]], [[Scullers Jazz Club]], and The Silhouette Lounge.<ref name="Globe1">{{cite news|last1=Tomlinson|first1=Sarah|title=Rock city revival|url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2004/08/27/rock_city_revival/|access-date=24 February 2014|work=The Boston Globe|date=27 August 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019225734/http://archive.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2004/08/27/rock_city_revival/|archive-date=19 October 2016}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref name="Guardian1">{{cite news|last1=Marotta|first1=Michael|title=Top 10 live music venues in Boston|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/sep/21/live-music-venues-boston-us|access-date=19 October 2016|work=The Guardian|date=20 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612051905/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/sep/21/live-music-venues-boston-us|archive-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>

Several recording studios are located in the neighborhood, such as [[Galaxy Park]], established in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.galaxypark.com|title=Recording Studios In Boston, MA, Galaxy Park Studios - Massachusetts|work=galaxypark.com}}</ref> Allston's music scene includes a [[do it yourself|DIY]] community. The annual Allston-Brighton parade and annual [[Allston DIY Fest]] feature many of the neighborhood's musical acts.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

In the 1960s, Boston Mayor Kevin White developed Summerthing, a series of free concerts performed at Allston's Ringer Park. Several Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artists played for free, including The Byrds, Bo Diddley, BB King and Chuck Berry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bahistory.org/RockHistory.html|title=Brighton Allston Rock Music History|work=Brighton Allston Rock Music History
}}</ref>

===Sports===
Major League Baseball's [[History of the Boston Braves|Boston Braves]] played at [[Braves Field]] (now Boston University's [[Nickerson Field]]) at Allston's eastern edge, from 1915 to 1952.  The [[History of the New England Patriots|Boston Patriots]] of the [[American Football League]] (now the [[New England Patriots]] of the [[National Football League]]) played four seasons in Allston: at Nickerson Field in 1960 through 1962; and at [[Harvard Stadium]] in 1970.

==Education==
===Public schools===
Public schools in Allston are part of the [[school district]] of [[Boston Public Schools]].

Gardner Pilot Academy (also called the Thomas Gardner School), located on Athol Street, serves Allston residents pre-kindergarten through grade eight.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gardner Pilot Academy|url=https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/gardner |access-date=October 18, 2022}}</ref> In April 2008, a science teacher at Gardner Pilot Academy won the "Ultimate Science Classroom", a raffle prize furnished annually by the [[National Science Teachers Association]]. The school received approximately $40,000 in science teaching materials and apparatus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/node/881 |title=Gardner Pilot Academy teacher wins Ultimate Science Classroom &#124; Boston Public Schools |access-date=2009-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729104647/http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/node/881 |archive-date=2012-07-29 }}</ref>

The [[Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing]], located on Armington Street, is the oldest public school for the hearing impaired in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hmsboston.org/|title=Hmsboston.org|access-date=2009-09-10|archive-date=2012-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116042953/http://www.hmsboston.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The school was attended by [[Helen Keller]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Shichtman |first=Sandra H. |date=2002 |title=Helen Keller: out of a dark and silent world |publisher=Millbrook Press |page=23 |isbn=0-7613-2550-6}}</ref> and [[Alexander Graham Bell]]'s work at the school inspired him to begin experiments in an apparatus to help deaf children hear. These experiments eventually led to the telephone.<ref>{{cite book |last=MacKenzie |first=Catherine |date=2003 |title=Alexander Graham Bell |publisher=Kessinger Publishing, LLC.|page=56 |isbn=0-7661-4385-6}}</ref> The school serves the hearing impaired in Boston from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.
[[File:Harvard stadium 2009h.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Harvard Stadium]] in Allston hosts [[college football]] games.]]
Jackson Mann School, also on Armington Street, serves residents from kindergarten through eighth grade.

===Private schools===
[[German International School Boston]] (previously called "German School Boston"), located on Holton Street, is a private, bilingual, international school in Boston, Massachusetts. This German school abroad was established in 2001 and officially inaugurated by Former German President Johannes Rau.<ref>{{cite web |title=German International School Boston |url=https://gisbos.org/en/history/ |website=gisbos.org |access-date=2023-03-07}}</ref> The upper campus serves grades one through twelve, and the lower campus offers a preschool and kindergarten program. The school has over 300 students.

===Colleges and universities===
Allston lies near three major universities. A substantial part of the campus of [[Harvard University]], including [[Harvard Business School]] and most athletic facilities (such as the [[Bright-Landry Hockey Center]], [[Harvard Stadium]], and the [[Lavietes Pavilion]]), are in North Allston. Harvard also owns large portions of other land in North Allston, much of which it plans to develop as an academic campus, particularly for the [[Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences]], as well as an auxiliary site for the [[Harvard Medical School]] and other healthcare-related programs.  Eventually, Harvard's Allston campus will be physically larger than their original Cambridge campus.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} 
 
[[Boston University]] lies along [[Commonwealth Avenue (Boston)|Commonwealth Avenue]] to the east, with numerous schools and facilities extending from [[Kenmore Square]] to [[Packard's Corner]]. The [[New Balance]] Field of Boston University symbolizes further integration of BU into the Allston community and is the first in a series of projects that have included the creation of a major new dormitory building in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bu.edu/facilities/fmpprojects/maintenance/new-balance-field/|title=New Balance Field|work=bu.edu}}</ref> [[Berklee College of Music]] also has a practice and rehearsal building near Commonwealth Avenue on Fordham Road which runs between Commonwealth Avenue and Brighton Avenue.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

==Transportation==
[[File:Inbound train at Packards Corner station, August 2018.JPG|alt=A green line train on a sunny day stops at Packard's Corner.|thumb|A Green Line train at Packard's Corner station.]]
The [[Green Line B branch|B branch]] of the Boston [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|MBTA]] [[Rapid transit|subway]] [[Green Line (MBTA)|Green Line]] runs through the neighborhood along Commonwealth Avenue.  Until 1969, the [[Green Line A branch]] to [[Watertown Square (MBTA station)|Watertown Square]] ran along Brighton Avenue. Today, MBTA Bus Route 57 runs on a similar route. From 2014 to March 2016, the MBTA included bus route 57 in its late night service, running until 3 am.<ref name="57 Bus">{{cite web|url=http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/default.asp?id=6442451913|title=Late night service|work=MBTA|publisher=MassDOT|access-date=24 April 2014}}</ref> The City of Boston and the MBTA installed bus lane between [[Union Square, Boston|Union Square]] and [[Packard's Corner]] with construction starting in 2019 to alleviate congestion and speed up bus travel times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boston.gov/departments/transportation/brighton-avenue-bus-lane|title=Brighton Avenue Bus Lane|last=City of Boston|date=April 2019|website=www.boston.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Herald |first=Sean Philip Cotter {{!}} Boston |date=2020-12-05 |title=Boston will have access to $30M in MBTA money for bus lanes |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/12/05/boston-will-have-access-to-30m-in-mbta-money-for-bus-lanes/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US}}</ref> Other MBTA bus lines serve Allston, including routes 64, 66, 70 and 86. In 2017, 34.2% of Allston residents commuted by mass transit, while 24.3% commuted by walking and another 6.6% commuted by bicycle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/8349ada7-6cc4-4d0a-a5d8-d2fb966ea4fe|title=Boston In Context: Neighborhoods - 2013-2017 American Community Survey|last=Boston Planning & Development Agency|date=January 2019|website=www.bostonplans.org}}</ref>

Until 2013, the [[CSX]] Railroad operated the large [[Beacon Park Yard|Beacon Park freight yard]] which runs adjacent to the Massachusetts Turnpike; the land has been purchased by Harvard. In May 2006, Harvard officials said that they wanted a infill [[MBTA Commuter Rail|commuter rail]] stop in Allston on the Framingham/Worcester line.<ref>[[Harvard Crimson]], "[http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=513435 University Plans Allston T Stop]", May 10, 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806003553/http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=513435 |date=August 6, 2009 }}</ref>  This would restore service lacking since the closure of the Allston train depot. {{as of|2009}}, there had been actions by the state legislature to restore train service in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/allston/news/x1886164814/State-approves-two-spots-for-Allston-commuter-rail-station#axzz1ZDLHUIoQ|title=State approves two spots for Allston commuter rail station|work=Wicked Local}}</ref>  In June 2012, plans were announced for a station to be called [[Boston Landing (MBTA station)|Boston Landing]], located in Brighton, to serve the Allston-Brighton area. Originally intended to open in 2014, the station finally opened in 2017.[[File:Boston Landing station from Everett Street, August 2018.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Boston Landing (MBTA station)|Boston Landing]] station, a commuter rail stop.]]In September 2014, plans for a $25 million commuter rail station called [[West Station (MBTA)|West Station]]<ref name="west">{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/boston/index.ssf/2014/09/mbta_new_station_allston.html|title=New Commuter Rail station coming to Allston, will serve Worcester Line|work=masslive.com|date=October 2014}}</ref> were announced. The station's construction will coincide with a plan to straighten the [[Massachusetts Turnpike]] over the former CSX rail yard. The new station will initially operate exclusively on the Worcester/Framingham line but will be constructed with four platforms to accommodate future uses that may include rapid-transit service to North Station via the existing [[Grand Junction Railroad]] through Cambridge and Somerville.<ref name="west" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/09/30/weststation/ZB4d0trnj1VGo66u7kkkZP/story.html|title=New transit station could transform Allston area|author=Nicole Dungca|website=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=2014-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325063935/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/09/30/weststation/ZB4d0trnj1VGo66u7kkkZP/story.html|archive-date=2022-03-25|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Demographics==
The estimated population of Allston is 28,621, according to the 2020 Census.<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 U.S. Census Redistricting Data Release |url=http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/c55502f3-3a70-4772-a894-0c51c325b216 |access-date=October 18, 2022 |website=Boston Plans |publisher=Boston Plans}}</ref> The median home cost is $632,000, an incline of 5.2% in the last year. The cost of living is 48.7% higher than the national average. The population density is 14,035/mi<sup>2</sup>. The median age is 27.<ref name="Best Places" />

Allston is home to many immigrant populations, the largest groups being from [[Russia]], [[East Asia]] (particularly [[Korea]]), [[South Asia]], and [[South America]] (particularly [[Brazil]] and [[Colombia]]).{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

Young adults (age 18-34) make up 80.8% of the neighborhood's population (as compared to 39.1% for the city of Boston as a whole).<ref>{{cite web |title=Boston by the Numbers 2020 |url=http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/51f1c894-4e5f-45e4-aca2-0ec3d0be80d6 |access-date=October 18, 2022 |website=Boston Plans |publisher=Boston Plans}}</ref> The [[College town|high concentration of students and "twenty-somethings"]] has created tension between some long-time [[town and gown|residents and the student population]] which constantly cycles in and out as students matriculate and graduate from Boston's many colleges and universities. In addition to nightly dancing and live music at area bars, house parties abound on surrounding streets, particularly during the school year. This has long been a sore point among other Allston residents.<ref name="Phoenix">{{cite news |last1=Fulton |first1=Deirdre |date=November 2005 |title=The party's over? Using Operation Student Shield, the city and the colleges are teaming up to bust house parties |work=The Boston Phoenix |url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/top/features/documents/05096803.asp |access-date=19 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629115255/http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/top/features/documents/05096803.asp |archive-date=29 June 2016}}</ref>

The largest religious affiliation is [[Catholic Church in the United States|Catholic]] (48.2%), followed by unspecified Christian (4.9%), [[Baptists|Baptist]] (2%), and [[Islam in the United States|Muslim]] (1%).<ref name="Best Places" />

===Race===
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|+ '''Allston (02134) Racial Breakdown of Population (2017)'''<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=August 25, 2018 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau|US Census Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name="census.gov">{{cite web |title=Massachusetts QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/ma,US/PST045217 |work=census.gov}}</ref>
|-
! Race
! Percentage of <br>02134<br>population
! Percentage of<br>Massachusetts<br>population
! Percentage of<br>United States<br>population
! ZIP Code-to-State<br>Difference
! ZIP Code-to-USA<br>Difference
|-
| [[White Americans|White]] || 62.8% || 81.3% || 76.6% || –18.5% || –13.8%
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White (Non-Hispanic)]] || 56.6% || 72.1% || 60.7% || –15.5% || –4.1%
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] || 21.3% || 6.9% || 5.8% || +14.4% || +15.5%
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] || 12.7% || 11.9% || 18.1% || +0.8% || –5.4%
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]] || 6.2% || 8.8% || 13.4% || –2.6% || –7.2%
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]/[[Native Hawaiians|Hawaiians]] || 0.3% || 0.6% || 1.5% || –0.3% || –1.2%
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]] || 4.0% || 2.4% || 2.7% || +1.6% || +1.3%
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|+ '''Allston/[[Harvard Business School]] (02163) Racial Breakdown of Population (2017)'''<ref name="auto" /><ref name="census.gov" />
|-
! Race
! Percentage of <br>02163<br>population
! Percentage of<br>Massachusetts<br>population
! Percentage of<br>United States<br>population
! ZIP Code-to-State<br>Difference
! ZIP Code-to-USA<br>Difference
|-
| [[White Americans|White]] || 65.5% || 81.3% || 76.6% || –15.8% || –11.1%
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White (Non-Hispanic)]] || 56.8% || 72.1% || 60.7% || –15.3% || –3.9%
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] || 21.5% || 6.9% || 5.8% || +14.6% || +15.7%
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] || 10.2% || 11.9% || 18.1% || –1.7% || –7.9%
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]] || 7.5% || 8.8% || 13.4% || –1.3% || –5.9%
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]/[[Native Hawaiians|Hawaiians]] || 0.3% || 0.6% || 1.5% || –0.3% || –1.2%
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]] || 4.2% || 2.4% || 2.7% || +1.8% || +1.5%
|}

==Events==
*Allston [[Water gun|Squirt Gun]] Day is an unsanctioned event organized by young residents and held yearly in late August. Participants are asked to wear green and gather at the intersection of Harvard Avenue and Brighton Avenue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/allstonsquirtgunday|title=AllstonSquirtGunDay on Myspace|website=Myspace|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> The event is typically short-lived as it creates a panic among those unaware of what is going on.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/08/24/police_put_damper_on_water_balloon_fight_in_allston/ | work=The Boston Globe | first=Gabrielle T. | last=Dunn | title=Police put damper on water balloon fight in Allston | date=August 24, 2008}}</ref> In 2009, the Squirt Gun festivities continued as a sanctioned event at nearby Ringer Park.
*In 2005, the New England Foundation for the Arts selected a site in Allston for its Art & Community Landscapes program.<ref name=NEFA>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nefa.org/grantprog/acl/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219002815/http://www.nefa.org/grantprog/acl/index.html|url-status=dead|title=NEFA site|archive-date=February 19, 2006}}</ref> The artist team of Legge Lewis Legge<ref name=Legge>{{cite web|url=http://www.leggelewislegge.com/|title=Legge Lewis Legge.html|work=leggelewislegge.com}}</ref> was chosen to design this site which is known as the Lincoln Street Green Strip.<ref name="Lincoln-Street">{{cite web|url=http://allston02134.tripod.com/lincoln_st_greenstrip/index.html|title=Lincoln Street Green Strip|work=tripod.com|access-date=2006-02-22|archive-date=2012-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208102214/http://allston02134.tripod.com/lincoln_st_greenstrip/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Each year the community hosts the Allston Village Street Fair on Harvard Avenue between Brighton Avenue and Cambridge Street. The fair features live performances, international food, and local businesses, along with family-friendly activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allstonvillagestreetfair.com/|title=Allston Village Street Fair|work=allstonvillagestreetfair.com}}</ref>
*In 2012, [[Aerosmith]] played a set in front of their former residence at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue. They were introduced by the [[New England Patriots]] players (most notably [[Tom Brady]]), owner [[Robert Kraft]], and [[cheerleader]]s.<ref name="boston.com">{{cite news| url=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/allston_brighton/2012/11/thousands_watch_aerosmiths_str.html | work=The Boston Globe | first=Matt | last=Rocheleau | title=Aerosmith draws sea of fans to Allston streets | date=5 November 2012}}</ref>
*Allston is home to the annual Rat City Arts Festival, so named as a play on the neighborhood's nickname of Allston Rock City, due its high concentration of musicians, and as an allusion to the neighborhood's large population of rats. The festival aims to showcase Allston and Boston artists, as well as to raise awareness of the rat problem.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.ratcityartsfestival.com/why-rat-city | title=Rat City Arts Festival }}</ref>
*Every year, Commonwheels, an Allston DIY bike organization, holds the Allston Rat Race, a cross between an [[alleycat race]] and a community festival. Entrants ride a course through the neighborhood with optional stops, each of which features a zany activity that highlights a feature of the community and encourages broader knowledge of neighborhood amenities and organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.commonwheels.org/allston-rat-race | title= Allston Rat Race}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
*Allston's [[ZIP Code]] "02134" is famously identified due to a recurring musical piece on the [[PBS]] children's series ''[[Zoom (1972 TV series)|ZOOM]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pZZQQkS0-Q  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/5pZZQQkS0-Q |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Zoom Season 4 Send It to Zoom Clip 1974-1975 |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=December 13, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> whose originating station, [[WGBH-TV|WGBH]], was located on Western Avenue east of Allston Square until 2008.  
*[[Big D and the Kids Table]], a [[ska]] band, makes multiple references to Allston within their songs.
*Massachusetts [[grindcore]] band [[Anal Cunt]] has written several contemptuous songs that reference Allston in a pejorative way, such as "You Live in Allston", "Everyone in Allston Should be Killed" and "I Just Saw the Gayest Guy on Earth".<ref name="I Like It When You Die Liner Notes">I Like It When You Die Liner Notes</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-like-it-when-you-die-mw0000090848|title=I Like It When You Die - Anal Cunt|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/40-more-reasons-to-hate-us-mw0000647664|title=40 More Reasons to Hate Us - Anal Cunt|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
*Allston contains several locations in the David Foster Wallace novel ''[[Infinite Jest]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infiniteboston.com/post/28333684321/enfield-allston-brighton |title=ENFIELD (ALLSTON-BRIGHTON) |access-date=September 18, 2021}}</ref> and the book includes in a footnote, "PS: Allston rules!"

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist|30em}}

'''Further reading'''
*MacKenzie, Catherine. ''Alexander Graham Bell'' Kessinger Publishing, LLC., 2003. {{ISBN|0-7661-4385-6}}.
*Marchione, William P. ''The Bull in the Garden: A History of Allston-Brighton.'' [[Boston Public Library]], pub., 1986. {{ISBN|0-89073-078-4}}.
*Shichtman, Sandra H. ''Helen Keller: out of a dark and silent world'' Millbrook Press, 2002. {{ISBN|0-7613-2550-6}}.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Allston, Boston}}
*[http://www.bahistory.org Brighton Allston Historical Society]
*[http://wiki.royalst.org/doku.php?id=allston:neighborhoods Allston Neighborhoods]
*[http://www.allstonbrightoncdc.org Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation]
*[http://lowerallston.com Lower Allston Website]

{{coord|42.3529|-71.1321|type:city|display=title}}

{{BostonMA}}
{{American Koreatowns}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Neighborhoods in Boston]]
[[Category:Russian communities in the United States]]
[[Category:Student quarters]]
[[Category:Ukrainian communities in the United States]]