Part two of two of an oral history interview recording with former dairyman Milner Wiswall conducted by Katie Kenneally. Wiswall was born in West Roxbury in 1896 and witnessed the neighborhood’s change from a rural area with only several houses to a metropolitan district. Wiswall talks about the loss of small businesses, especially groceries, and the arrival of chain stores in the neighborhood and the shopping area on Centre Street which, according to Wiswall, was primarily between Corey Street and Grain Street when he was younger. Wiswall also talks about taking up dancing as a hobby and says he is a member of two dancing clubs: the Spares and Squares who meet in St. Pius Church in Milton and the Waltzing Twirlers who meet in Waltham. He describes how the neighborhood celebrated the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Decoration Day when he was younger. Wiswall believes that neighborhood celebrations of such holidays, specifically war holidays, are dwindling because people are able to drive elsewhere in their cars. Wiswall explains his belief that religious groups and churches are decreasing in membership. He also briefly describes his father’s experience as a volunteer fireman. Other topics include a section of West Roxbury known as Germantown, Roxbury Concert Orchestra, and the West Roxbury Congregational Church.
