In Dorchester Volume II, local author Anthony Mitchell Sammarco continues his detailed look at this diverse town that he began in Volume I, which the Boston Globe hailed as a best-seller. Founded in 1630 by Puritans, Dorchester has experienced spectacular growth over the last few centuries; the Old Colony Railroad and later the Red Line providedimpetus for the quick development of this �streetcar suburb.� From a town of twelve thousand residents in 1870, when it was annexed to the city of Boston, to one hundred thousand at the turn of the century, Dorchester became home to a quarter of a million people by 1930. The development of the town in the period from 1870 to 1920 saw architects, builders, and residents all working to create a pleasant place to live and work. Dorchester�s evolution from a farming community to a vibrant, buzzing town can be seen in the unique form of American architecture developed in Dorchester�the �three decker,� built between the 1890s and World War II, and popular among people of all classes and economic means. The influx of immigrants from countries around the world has given Dorchester a diverse and colorful character, which is the source of pride for many of its residents.