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

Corner of India Street & Ann Street, Providence

Three sheds surrounded by a chain link fence with overgrowth around it. The largest shed is labeled, "Dytex." A sign on the fence reads, "Special Superplus Motor Oil 45c. a Gal." Oil drums are stacked behind the fence. Trees can be seen around and behind the buildings. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Hope Street & Wickenden Street, Providence

A three story mixed use building as viewed from across the intersection. The first floor houses Cornell's Pharmacy with window displays advertising ice cream and prescriptions. Further down, the building also has a series of first floor offices for contractors and a construction business. Neighboring businesses are partially visible, as are stop signs and utility poles. A man can be seen walking along the sidewalk and a sedan is driving by. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Governor Street & Williams Street, Providence

View looking down the street at a series of three story mixed use clapboard sided houses. The closest house has a small grocery market on the first floor named Pioneer, and its windows are lined with signs advertising goods on sale. The street is lined with utility poles. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Governor Street & Tremont Street, Providence

View looking down the street at a series of three story clapboard sided houses, as a sedan style car passes by. The street is lined with utility poles and occasional trees. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Governor Street & Transit Street, Providence

Intersection of two streets, both of which are lined with multi-story clapboard houses. Utility poles and occasional trees line the street, as cars pass in the distance. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of George M. Cohan Boulevard & Thompson Street, Providence

Shell gas and service station viewed from across road. There are two open garage doors with a sign above reading, "Service is Our Business." There are a number of parked cars beside the service station and around the building neighboring houses are visible. Light poles dot the street. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of George M. Cohan Boulevard & Brook Street, Providence

View across the street towards an empty corner lot. Around the lot, neighboring houses can be seen. The lot also contains a large billboard, here only the narrow side of the billboard is visible. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Gano Street & the Washington Bridgeway, Providence

Parking lot filled with cars that are visible behind a number of bushes and shrubs. The lot is surrounded by a chain link fence and beside a long, low brick industrial building. Atop the building a billboard can be partially seen advertising gas and air conditioning. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of East Street & Wickenden Street, Providence

View up the street of various multi-story houses and buildings. Parked cars and utility poles line the sidewalk. A laundromat can be seen in the distance, while in the foreground a building is affixed with a sign reading, "Coleman for Governor." At the intersection a man in a hat crosses the street. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of East Street & Transit Street, Providence

View looking down the street at a series of multi-story houses with many cars parked along the sidewalk as well as driving down the street. In the distance a sign advertising a laundromat can be seen. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & Williams Street, Providence

Exterior view of a large two story brick commercial building lined with windows. A sign affixed to the side reads, "Bond Bread." Cars are parked along the streets beside the building.Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & Transit Street, Providence

View looking down the street at a series of multi-story houses with cars parked beside the sidewalk. Across from the homes are a number of partially visible commercial storefronts. A sign advertising a laundromat can be seen and there are utility poles at intervals along the street. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & Pike Street, Providence

View looking down Brook Street at a row of three story clapboard houses. Utility poles line the street. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & John Street (6), Providence

A dirt parking lot at the corner of the street. Two large delivery trucks are parked in the lot. The trucks are labeled, "Bond Bread." Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & John Street (5), Providence

Exterior view of a large brick commercial building with windows on all sides. The corner of the building visible here is one story tall. As the building stretches down the block, a second story can be seen. A sign on the side of the building reads, "General Baking Company." Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & John Street (4), Providence

Exterior view of a one story brick industrial building with large windows on all sides and a large warehouse door. The roof of a house can be seen behind the building. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & John Street (3), Providence

Exterior view of a large brick commercial building with two stories and a smoke stack. A sign affixed to the side reads, "Bond Bread." Cars are parked along the streets beside the building. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & John Street (2), Providence

Exterior view of a large brick commercial building with two stories and a smoke stack. A sign affixed to the side reads, "Bond Bread." Cars are parked along the streets beside the building. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & John Street (1), Providence

Exterior view of a large brick commercial building with windows on all sides. The corner of the building visible here is one story tall with an open garage door and a truck parked inside. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & India Street (2), Providence

Exterior of a one story industrial building. A small pickup truck can is parked out front in the customer parking area. The sign affixed to the building reads, "Corp Brothers, INC. Linde Oxygen and Acetylene. Welding equipment and Supplies" Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Corner of Brook Street & India Street (1), Providence

Exterior of a one story industrial building with three loading bays. A small truck can be seen backed up to one of the docks. The sign affixed to the building reads, "Corp Brothers. Linde Oxygen Prest-O-Lite Acetylene." Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Brook Street & Wickenden Street, Providence

Three buildings along the street. Two of the buildings house business on their first floors, one a barber and the other a liquor store. The third building is a house that is partially visible. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Benefit at India Street, Providence

Benefit at India Street, Providence

Providence Public Library

View of a narrow one-story commercial brick building. Sign reads, "Kenney Products Company, Roofing Siding Insulation." Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Alley between 14 & 18 Armstrong Avenue, Providence

View of an alleyway between two clapboard houses. Rear of house on the parallel block visible in the background. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Alley between 10 & 12 Governor Street, Providence

View over a chain link fence towards a narrow alleyway filled with foliage between two wood sided homes. Further back, neighboring houses are partially visible as well. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

Alley & House between 293 & 297 Wickenden Street, Providence

Alley enclosed by a chain link fence between two multi-story houses. At the back of the alley, a two story home with a mansard roof is partially visible. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

99 India Street, Providence

99 India Street, Providence

Providence Public Library

A large, long brick warehouse complex as seen from across a dirt road. There is a parking lot beside the warehouse with some vehicles in it. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

99 Gano Street, Providence

99 Gano Street, Providence

Providence Public Library

Small one story brick building beside a yard which is obscured by a wooden fence. A sign affixed to the building reads, "H.V. Collins Company." The street is lined with trees and parked cars while electrical wires cross the sky. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

98, 102, & 110 Transit Street, Providence

Multi level, multi family homes on the northwest corner of Transit Street and Thayer Street. Utility poles line the street and trees can be seen in the background. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.

97-99 & 101-103 Pratt Street, Providence

Two large side by side multi family triple decker houses with a porch on each floor. Cars parked beside the homes and on the street. A vine covered lamppost can be seen in the foreground. Photograph taken by Providence Redevelopment Agency as part of neighborhood documentation for the East Side Renewal Project.