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South End Boston

January 29, 2011 By admin
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.

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A brief history of Boston

January 21, 2011 By admin
boston history

boston history

Boston and its surrounding area are steeped in history, but when you think of Boston, what is the first thing that springs to mind? – I would imagine most people would say “The Boston Tea Party”.
Boston was actually founded way back in 1630 with the arrival of the Pilgrims from England; it was named after Boston in Lincolnshire. At this time the majority of the population were English Puritans and the harbour was kept busy with trading ships heading to England and the West Indies.
The famous Boston Tea Party was not really much of a party!  In fact, it was anything but. On 16th December 1773, the Sons of Liberty (a political group made up of American Patriots) rebelled against the high taxation on tea imposed by the British. They disguised themselves and boarded the trade ships at Boston Harbour where they proceeded to through hundreds of boxes of tea into the sea in protest.
(Presently undergoing a refurbishment, the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum, situated in Congress Street Bridge, Boston offers visitors a realistic insight to what really happened. The museum re-opens in the Spring of 2012).
The Boston Tea Party was just the beginning of much unrest in Boston – by 1775 the siege of Boston had started, with colonial militia surrounding the city and two days of constant fighting.  At this time, General John Thomas; accompanied by 2000 troops and 56 canons embarked upon a campaign at Dorchester Heights against the British.
The British Military used Castle William in South Boston as their base.  In February 1776 they swept through the Dorchester Neck and destroyed everything in their path.  A month later; realising that their position was indefensible again the continental army; the British were forced to leave the island, burning the castle on their departure.  They sailed to the safety of Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 17th.
Following the Revolutionary War, Boston continued to thrive, attracting more people to the area which gradually became over-crowded.

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The History of Boston

January 7, 2011 By admin

Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and it is also one of the oldest cities in America.

Boston could be described as being one of the most European like cities in the United States as it has very pretty terraced houses which are not typical way of building houses in the US.

Boston is steeped in history and actually has the USA’s first ever underground system.

Boston also boasts a very well positioned harbour that is also one of the deepest harbours on the coast which meant it was very easy to reach by travellers and tradesmen. Up until the late 1700′s Boston was the biggest and most affluent city in the US.

Today Boston is very popular with tourists who want to indulge themselves in the centuries old architecture and history of Boston as well as its now modern skyscraper made of steel and glass and its vibrant cafe culture.

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