Framingham Views

Across Route 9 from Shoppers World, at the Natick town line, approximately where Circuit City is today, was a giant nursery called Wyman Gardens. Here’s an aerial view of the place taken in the late ’50s.

Wyman Gardens had land all the way back to Hartford St.,  where the ranch homes called Westfield, were built in 1955. In 1948, Boston Edison was proud of their installation of neon and lighting for the new Wyman Gardens main store on Route 9.  Here’s a rare photo of the front of that store. 

Kudos to Framingham for the efforts. This town has so much going for it, check out the link.

http://www.framinghamma.org/planning_dept/FDR_main.htm

And this one http://amazingthings.org/

The Natick Collection opened yesterday, and the excitement almost matches what happened in Framingham 56 years ago. Shoppers World was the first shopping center on the East Coast, opening October 4, 1951. Those who are visiting the spectacle in Natick, will probably feel a bit of the same excitement. Here’s the front cover of an advertising supplement which was mailed to households all over the Framingham Natick area by Jordan Marsh to celebrate their opening.

http://www.framinghamnatickretail.com/

Click on the link to a great website for everything you need to know about retail along Rte 9,

past and present.