Lou Costa Collection on Fox Point

The Lou Costa Collection on Fox Point is composed of photographs, media, and printed materials related to the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence, RI, with a focus on the diverse people and communities of the area during the 20th century. Represented throughout the collection are materials related to Fox Point's Cape Verdean, Azorean, and Portuguese communities. Also included are photographs taken by the Providence Redevelopment Agency from 1962-1965 as part of the East Side Renewal Project, which saw the destruction of a significant portion of the neighborhood in order to expand highway development.
This collection is part of Providence Public Library Digital Collections, hosted by Providence Public Library.

Items in this collection

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 16

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 16

Providence Public Library

Community newsletter produced during World War II about Fox Point to be sent overseas for servicepeople from the neighborhood. This issue includes news and updates about Fox Point servicepeople, mail they send to the Ramblings, and where they are stationed. This 6 page issue includes news from the various gathering places in the Point. It is a a tripage fold out. This issue is dedicated to George M. Cohan, a Vaudeville actor orignially from Fox Point; he was known as the premier "Song and Dance Man" of America. Cohan was known for writing standards such as "Over There," "You're a Grand Old Flag," and "Give My Regards to Broadway." He was celebrated with the addition of a historical plaque on his home and birthplace on Wickenden Street. This issue also includes an update on the Fox Point mayoral race, general election results for the First Ward, and a request from a deployed serviceperson asking for information on the latest swing music records.

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 15

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 15

Providence Public Library

Community newsletter produced during World War II about Fox Point to be sent overseas for servicepeople from the neighborhood. This issue includes news and updates about Fox Point servicepeople, mail they send to the Ramblings, and where they are stationed. This issue includes news from the various gathering places in the Point. This issue is dedicated to Fox Point servicepeople in the Air Corps. This issue includes news about Boy Scout Troop 31, an anecdote about Halloween mischief, and a poem sent in by the manager of Jamaica Theatre in Jamaica Plains, Mass (where copies of the Ramblings are located) by a U.S. Marine "Somewhere in the Pacific."

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 14

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 14

Providence Public Library

Community newsletter produced during World War II about Fox Point to be sent overseas for servicepeople from the neighborhood. This issue includes news and updates about Fox Point servicepeople, mail they send to the Ramblings, and where they are stationed. This issue includes news from the various gathering places in the Point. This issue is dedicated to Fox Point servicepeople in the Navy in honor of Navy Day. There is a poem written by J.J. Doyle called "Since our Boys Went Away" and a prose piece called "Ye Good Ol' Days" by a person credited as Old Tymer.

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 13

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 13

Providence Public Library

Community newsletter produced during World War II about Fox Point to be sent overseas for servicepeople from the neighborhood. This issue includes news and updates about Fox Point servicepeople, mail they send to the Ramblings, and where they are stationed. In this issue, there is a retort by mayoral candidate, John J. Doyle to his opponent, "Old Man" Donnovan, responding to a poem he wrote in the previous issue. There is a message from the pastor of Holy Rosary Parish thanking the servicepeople for their service. This issue includes news from the various gathering places in the Point.

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 12

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 12

Providence Public Library

Community newsletter produced during World War II about Fox Point to be sent overseas for servicepeople from the neighborhood. This issue includes news and updates about Fox Point servicepeople, where they are stationed, and mail they send to the Ramblings. This issue is dedicated to the servicepeople stationed at Camp Hood, TX. This issue includes news about a Fox Point scrap drive; the Ramblings being on display in the lobby of the Jamaica Theatre in Jamaica Plains, Mass.; Boy Scout news and an Ode to mayoral candidate, John Doyle, from his opponent "Old Man" Donnovan.

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 11

Fox Point Ramblings, Vol. I No. 11

Providence Public Library

Community newsletter produced during World War II about Fox Point to be sent overseas for servicepeople from the neighborhood. This issue includes news and updates about Fox Point servicepeople, where they are stationed, and mail they send to the Ramblings. This issue is 6 pages and is a tripage foldout. This issue is dedicated to the servicepeople stationed at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. In this issue, there is a thank you note to the Ramblings from servicepeople who received a care package, news about the Church of the Holy Rosary catching fire due to an arsonist, a fire in the Historic Infantry Hall, the outcome of the World Series, and news from the gathering places in the Point.

Expressway at South Main Street, Providence

Mixed use multi level buildings along a commercial strip beside an off-ramp to the expressway. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

East Transit Street, Providence

East Transit Street, Providence

Providence Public Library

Backyard and rear of a three story multi family house. In the yard there is a large garden. A bike leans against the house and a clothesline is hung from the second story. Neighboring homes also partially visible. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

East end of India Street, Providence

East end of India Street, Providence

Providence Public Library

An overgrown field with a small seemingly abandoned building. Behind the structure disused railroad tracks can be seen as well as a small railroad overpass. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Driveway between 15 & 21 Sheldon Street, Providence

Small garage and driveway between two clapboard sided houses. A small yard surrounded by chain link fence can be seen as well as a partially visible house to the rear. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Well Street & Williams Street, Providence

Three story multi family building with a flat roof. Basement level partially exposed. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Well Street & Hardings Alley, Providence

Large brick shed with a garage door surrounded by brush and scrub. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Water Street & Sovereign Street, Providence

Long three story brick warehouse building with large windows. A sign on the front reads for rent. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Water Street & Silver Street, Providence

Two story brick industrial building lined with large windows and home to the Charles S. Tanner Company, Manufacturing Chemists. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Water Street & Guilder Street, Providence (4)

Looking northwest along South Water Street at the waterfront from the corner of South Water and Guilder Streets. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Water Street & Guilder Street, Providence (2)

Rear of 369 South Main Street. Three and a half story historic stone building surrounded by an empty lot. On one side neighboring buildings are partially visible. A sign affixed to the building reads, "L.M. Goff Co. Marine Engines Accessories." Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Water Street & Guilder Street, Providence (1)

Three story brick building beside a parking lot with a single car in it. A Sign on the building reads B.L.H. Dyestuff Co. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Water Street & Doubloon Street, Providence

Three and half story mixed use brick building with retail space at the street level. The retail space once housed a fishing supply and sporting equipment store, and a sign affixed to the front states the building has been recently sold. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Main Street & Silver Street, Providence

Large three story building with two entrances and retail space on the first floor, as viewed from across South Main Street. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Main Street & Power Street, Providence (2)

Providence Boys Club, now known as the Fox Point Boys & Girls Club of Providence, on the corner of South Main Street and Power Street. In front of the club is a small lot and beside that a furniture store. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Main Street & Power Street, Providence (1)

A series of three story mixed use brick and stone buildings with first floor retails spaces. Building in the foreground houses a plumbing and heating supply store. Each building has a fire escape along the front. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Main Street & Planet Street, Providence

Large lot under construction and surrounded by a chain link fence. A small crain, building materials, and other equipment can be seen in and around the lot. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of South Main Street & Bullion Street, Providence

Dirt packed lot with three parked cars. At the rear of the lot a mixed material structure can be seen covered with tarps and beside a chain link fence. A clapboard sided house if partially visible behind the lot. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Sheldon Street & Benefit Street, Providence

A 1950s style car parked in a small lot at the corner of the street. Four clapboard houses partially visible in the background. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Ives Street & Wickenden Street (2), Providence

Three story mixed use building with retail space on the first floor and residential units above. The ground floor space is home to a grocery market with signs advertising sales in its windows. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Ives Street & Wickenden Street (1), Providence

View looking down the street at a series of mixed use, multi-story houses. The building in the foreground contains first floor retail space with a large awning overhanging the front. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Ives Street & Trenton Street, Providence

View looking down the street at a series of mixed use, multi-story houses with first floor commercial space. Building in the foreground has a bar or tavern in its first floor. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Ives Street & Preston Street, Providence

Side view of a large three story stone school building with big windows and peaked rooftops. Building is surrounded by greenery. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Ives Street & India Street, Providence

Multiple multi-story brick industrial buildings. The rear of a billboard can be seen on one roof. Railroad tracks and dirt lot across the street as well as a large utility tower in the foreground. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.