OWNERSHIP
CONDITIONS
HISTORY

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OWNERSHIP:
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

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CONDITIONS:
The Bussey Bridge carries the Needham Branch Commuter Rail over South Street/ Archdale Street on the border of Jamaica Plain and Roslindale. The commuter rail forms an otherwise unbroken boundary along the eastern edge of the Arnold Arboretum, blocking access to Roslindale residents. By passing under Bussey Bridge via South Street/ Archdale Street, residents can access the Peters Hill section of the Arnold Arboretum, as well as the new Bussey Brook section of the Arboretum. The entrance at this location is very basic -- it consists of nothing more than a gap in the stone wall and one or two stone steps. There are no signs to direct people to the parkland. As a result, many residents of the high-density population east of the Arboretum are not aware of this point of access.

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HISTORY:
The Bussey Bridge disaster occurred in 1887. It was the first major railroad disaster in America. Twenty-three people were killed and 115 were injured, the majority of whom were from Roslindale. Cars plunged off the bridge onto what are now Archdale and South Streets, landing almost upright. The bridge had been considered extremely modern and hundreds of iron railroad bridges were rebuilt or removed across America as a result of the accident.

Because of the national attention the Bussey Bridge disaster received, people came in great numbers to view the scene. Many of them liked what they saw in Roslindale, which was then a beautiful country town, and decided to settle in the village.

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