During the first quarter of the 19th century, Beacon Hill town houses designed by Charles Bulfinch, Asher Benjamin, and others exhibited influences derived from England, France, and even the Far East. Elements drawn from Ancient Egypt, Greek, and Roman sources enlivened the brick and brownstone-trimmed facades of the Hill’s stylish mansions. Among the 20 stops on the walk will be historic houses on Beacon Street; Acorn Street, perhaps Boston’s most picturesque; Louisburg Square with its British influence; and the former homes of 19th-century Boston mayors Harrison Gray Otis and John Phillips.
Our Greenway work since 1992 A key factor in the success of the Rose Kennedy Greenway will be its walkability. When the Central Artery Project (CA/T) received its environmental approvals in 1991, only 6 lanes were approved for the new streets above the tunnel. However, at the request of the City of Boston, CA/T staff was designing 10 lanes.
WalkBoston and Move Massachusetts 2000, with support from CA/T, created the Pedestrian Issues Forum to re-examine the design. Two years later, in A Pedestrian Perspective on the Central Artery Project [1994], narrower roadways and wider sidewalks were recommended. After more persistent advocacy, the City reversed its position and supported the new approach.
Then, the Mayor convened the public-private Surface Transportation Action Forum [STAF] to further resolve design details for the Greenway, such as sidewalk and lane widths, and corner curb radii. STAF’s conclusions became official CA/T Project commitments. Together, the Greenway design and the new WALK light policy enhance the attractiveness of the Greenway for walkers.
From the Parthenon through Palladio to the Paris of Napoleon III and Beyond. Meander through the narrow and crooked streets of Boston’s downtown, in search of Greek temples, Egyptian gateways, French Second Empire commercial palaces, and Art Deco towers. We will view the site of Bulfinch’s Tontine Crescent, as well as a building modeled on the Tontine’s center pavilion. Among 20 featured stops will be the Stock Exchange Building, Custom House, New England Telephone Headquarters Building, the Old South Meeting House, and Old City Hall. .
Hills and dales are the setting for the Victorian residential neighborhoods and the commerce comprising Roslindale Village. Once hilly farmland traced by rural roadways, Roslindale is now in the midst of the urban area. Generous green spaces, hills and narrow streets keep traffic from overwhelming most village thoroughfares, allowing quiet enclaves for daily life.
Roslindale was largely a rural area when annexed to Boston in 1874. The major thoroughfare was the Post Road (now Centre Street) between Boston and Dedham. Washington St. was laid out in 1804 as the Dedham Turnpike, with tolls paid along the way. Taft’s Tavern stood on the turnpike at what became Roslindale Sq.
Founded in 1626, Salem, MA has a rich history based on rivers giving access to the sea, which led to maritime activities, business and manufacturing, and the settlement of immigrants. Salem’s waterfront was the focus of the City dating back to the early 1600s. For nearly 200 years, the waterfront was occupied by ships importing and exporting material and goods throughout the world – particularly Asia.
Salem’s maritime activities became focused on the South River shortly after settlement. At the time, the river stretched east and south from the present day Post Office and connected to Mill Pond, which covered present day Canal Street. The South River became the focus of commercial development and housing. Downtown Salem grew and prospered on the north riverfront and dock workers lived on the south riverfront.
Following the War of 1812, Salem was no longer able to compete with ports that could accommodate larger ships. Manufacturing became the key industry in Salem by the mid 1800s. In order to have space for new buildings for industry, such as the huge Naumkeag Steam Cotton Mill, portions of the South River were filled in. In the Great Salem Fire of 1914, the river formed a barrier between the center of the city and the vast residential and industrial area, now called the Point Neighborhood, which was destroyed by the fire.
The Point Neighborhood was rebuilt after the fire and still contains housing. Across the South River, Salem’s waterfront became the first National Historic Site in 1938 because of its history as one of the most important ports in the nation – the base for Atlantic triangular trade in the colonial period, privateers in the Revolutionary War, and merchants who brought the riches of the Far East to America after the Revolution. Its wharves and buildings are among the rarest remaining intact from America’s age of sails almost 200 years ago.
