February 23, 2012

Boston Harbours and Piers

Boston Piers

Boston Piers

Boston Harbour

Boston Harbour is a natural harbour and has always been a pivotal point in Boston’s history; most famously for its role in the Boston Tea Party of 1773 where a huge amount of tea was poured into its waters, but more importantly some 100 years prior to this, it was the gateway for not only imports coming to the New England coast but also for the people who migrated to Boston to make it their home; tempted by the growing industries and probability of work. There is almost 40 miles of docks and wharves lining Boston’s’ shores at the inner harbour, mostly between South Boston and Charlestown.

Today, Boston Harbour offers visitors the chance to do a spot of whale watching.  Between April and October are the best months to go, where you are likely to see humpbacks, minkes and finbacks as well as dolphins.

Fish Pier – South Boston

The Fish Pier, located in South Boston opened in 1914 and is thought to be the oldest continuously working pier in the United States.  Comprising of 3 buildings – the East and West Buildings, and the Exchange Building, the pier was modernised in 1972 with an investment of approx. $30m.  Fishermen still use the pier today, to moor their boats and auction their catches. Fishing, food processing and storage are still prime industries in Boston. Over 2 million pounds of fish are caught in Boston’s surrounding waters annually.

Commonwealth Pier – South Boston

Commonwealth pier was once a busy, commercial pier used for large ships.  This 70-year old pier was renovated as part of the World Trade Centre project and is now home to a variety of office spaces as well as a conference exhibition centre.   From the west-side of the pier, you can take a harbour cruise. On the east-side of the Commonwealth pier you can see the tugboat “Luna”, the first diesel-electric vessel in the world built for a commercial tugboat company.

Places to visit in Boston

Boston – The Public Garden
Established in 1837, the Public Garden lies adjacent to Boston Common, in the heart of Boston and is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States.
At whatever time of year you decide to visit, you will be inspired by the trees and plants within the park and sculptures which can be found throughout the gardens.  The Swan boats are a popular attraction throughout the summer months – originally invented in 1877 by Robert Paget, while in the cold of winter, the pond becomes an ice-rink!
There are many tours operating in the area. Take in the views on the Boston Old Town Trolley Tour.  Just under 2 hours in duration, this tour offers you the chance to see 18 well-known landmarks such as the Beacon Hill, the New England Aquarium, Boston Common and the Back Bay. Or maybe the South End walking tour which shows you the incredible architecture of the buildings, giving you a real feeling of how this district developed with the influence of a variety of cultures.  You can also walk the famous Freedom Trail, which takes approximately 3-hours to complete; passing 17 of Boston’s Revolutionary landmarks.  And when you are done with walking, why not visit Downtown Boston which offers a huge variety of shops, eateries and nightlife in a friendly, vibrant atmosphere.
Fenway Park – Boston
Fenway Park has been the home of major league baseball since 1912 and most famously, home to the Boston Red Sox.  Tours operate around the grounds where you have the chance to look behind the scenes and learn more about this all-American sport.
Castle Island – South Boston
Castle Island is located close to Logan Airport, a beautiful 22 acre green space with a view of the harbour and castle, free admission and ample car parking.  Easy, relaxing walks including the jetty walk which takes you along to both the Dorchester and Pleasure bays.
Back in 1932, Castle Island was joined to the mainland by road.  In 1959 a dyke was made from Castle Island to the Sugar Bowl thus creating Pleasure Bay. Pleasure Bay is an artificial pond which is enclosed by a crescent-shaped path and makes an interesting walk.  You can cross over two bridges at Pleasure Bay and walk along to the Sugar Bowl which is a small park at the furthest point of the harbour and one of the most visited spots on the Boston waterfront. 
Fort Independence – South Boston
Fort Independence has been a site of fortification since 1634.
Paul Revere was originally a silversmith by trade and became a patriot in the American Revolution.  The poem “the Midnight ride of Paul Revere” was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1863 and tells of how Paul Reveres raised the alarm that the British were attacking. After the departure of the British Army, the castle was renamed. Castle Island was taken over by Paul Revere and converted to a prison 5 years later.
Pierre Maisonnat dit Baptiste is probably the most famous person to be imprisoned there between 1702-06.  The Fort, (originally called Castle William by the English) acted as a base for the British military during the siege of Boston.
Castle Island came under the ownership of the federal government in 1798 and a year later, President John Adams began the construction of Fort Independence.  The Castle Island Association conducts weekend tours for the public.
Old North Church – North End
Old North Church features in the famous poem about Paul Revere and his successful mission to raise the alert of the imminent British attack back in 1775 which marked the start of the Revolutionary War.  The poem tells how lanterns were hung from the Church in Boston’s North End as part of the signalling to warn the townsfolk.

South Boston

Maybe less well-known than the main city, South Boston is located a small journey away from the downtown area of Boston and has an interesting and diverse history.
South Boston started life as a simple trading post founded by David Thompson in 1624 on Thompson Island. In 1637 access to Dorchester Neck was only through Native American land and was used by 100 new settlers to graze their animals upon. In 1673 Captain Hepstill James Foster built the first habitable dwelling on this piece of land; in a place known as Leek Hill. From this point onwards, the settlement grew up steadily and by 1774 there were a total of 12 families in residence, and by 1804 over 60 families. At this time, with the taxations being demanded by the British, the area really needed its own postcode.  The first map of the area was constructed and the name “South Boston” was born.  These days, inhabitants of the South Boston neighbourhood fondly refer to it as simply “Southie”.
South Boston offers walking tours taking in the famous architectural landmarks such as the E. L Evans building (established in 1888) and the South Boston Municipal building. The tour begins at Tucker Watkins Bridge, where South Boston began its life in 1854 as a railroad depot.
The commercial district of South Boston comprises mainly two-story brick buildings established in the 1880-1890’s. Although the shop fronts have moved with the times, looking upwards you can still see the original facades and round-arch windows.  One of the most impressive buildings must be the Planters and Merchants Bank (209 Main Street).  Constructed in 1891, this remarkable building, highlighted with a cast-iron false front reflects the times where the tobacco industry was booming.

 
Believed to be one of the oldest surviving commercial buildings is the E. L. Evans Building along 225-227 Main Street. Built circa. 1888 the 2-storey building provides a magnificent example of parapets, Romanesque-like window heads and intricate cornices, typical of the Victorian era.

South End Boston

South End Boston

South End Boston

The South End lies south of the Back Bay and north of South Boston and Dorchester. It has a very diverse population, and is a centre for culture and art. Over the last century the South End of Boston has seen significant changes. At the turn of the 20th Century the area was in decline and by the 1960’s the crime rate was at an all-time high.  Recognising this, the community set to work to restore its neighbourhood with revitalisation and restoration projects and today it can be viewed as one of the trendiest and eclectic places in Boston to explore!
South End Boston is the home of Boston Common, sporting 50 acres of parkland and the start of the famous “Freedom Trail”.
The Freedom Trail – Back Bay and Downtown Boston
Since 1951, people have been enjoying the two-and-a-half-mile red brick walk through downtown Boston known as “the Freedom Trail”. This walk allows you to visit 17 of the city’s historic buildings, all linked to the Revolution
The Freedom trail takes you around the following sites:
• The Boston Common
• The State House
• Park Street Church
• Granary Burying Ground
• King’s Chapel
• King’s Chapel Burying Ground
• Benjamin Franklin Statue/Boston Latin School
• Old Corner Book Store
• Old South Meeting House
• Old State House
• Site of the Boston Massacre
• Faneuil Hall
• Paul Revere House
• The Old North Church
• Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
• Bunker Hill Monument
• USS Constitution

The South End is home to fine buildings and architecture from the Italianate and French Second Empire, Renaissance Revival, Greek Revival, Egyptian Revival, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne era; all of which mark the changes that have taken place in Boston over the years.  There are many red-bricked Victorian buildings lining the streets and the original street cobblestones were later used in the construction on the Oak Ridge Cemetery wall, making way for paving the city in around 1910.
The South End is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Boston Landmark District. The History Society was formed in 1960 and continues to work tirelessly to ensure these beautiful buildings are restored and saved for visitors to enjoy.

Boston and its surrounding area

Originally Boston was connected to the mainland by an isthmus “the Boston Neck” (known as “Mattapannock” by the Native Americans), but as popularity for the area grew in the 1840’s the decision was taken to reclaim land from the Backbay and Southbay marshes in order to accommodate the ever-growing population.
Boston and its surrounding neighbourhood is a vibrant place to be.  You can take in a museum or gallery in town or have a wander down to the beach and harbour area to watch the sun set. There are many local restaurants and hotels, bars and historical landmarks to take advantage of on your stay. There is so much to see and do that it’s difficult to fit it all in! [Read more...]