After the American Civil War, the North End of Boston saw a massive phase of redevelopment, replacing the dilapidated wooden dwellings with larger brick tenements to house the neighborhood’s growing immigrant population. Nearly all of the North End was replaced with these dwellings, which has now added so much to the appeal of the neighborhood. One of the earliest and notable examples is this building on Endicott Street. Built around 1875, the tenements were owned by George T. McLauthlin (also spelled McLaughlin), who owned the engineering and machinery company on Fulton Street, housed in one of the last remaining cast-iron facades in Boston. The tenement house was later owned by George’s son Daniel, likely providing housing for the company’s employees and/or providing additional income for the family. The building also appears to have always had commercial use on the ground floor, allowing merchants to also rent the space. The late-Italianate panel brick block is modest in design, but contributes to the diverse population and worker’s housing in the North End.
Buildings of New England 
Daniel McLaughlin, along with his brother Roger, originally from Inishowen, was a well known liquor salesman. Daniel dabbled in local politics Boston and he ran a bar out of the first floor, which was often used for political meetings, etc. The other tenants were other Donegal immigrants, many cousins and and distant relatives. The building was owned by his brother, Roger, upon Daniel´s death but their nieces and nephews brought Roger to court in an attempt to control how he handled the property.
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Thank you so much for adding this important context and history!
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