By Jim Botticelli/Dirty Old Boston Founder They lined up well before it opened, ready to jump on serious bargains. Filene's Basement in Downtown Boston was Lord and Master of the department stores that drew so many to downtown when it was a real destination. Gilchrist's, Jordan Marsh, Kennedy's, Bond's. All vital, all thriving, until the suburb...

You don't think of East Boston as part of Boston unless you live there only because entry and exit is--at times--a scandalous slog. Traffic bound for East Boston is usually Logan Airport bound and the history of Eastie's relationship to Logan is a war story, the victor being Logan for the most part. In 1973 the clash was at its strongest as resi...