Vestiges of Colonial Boston
Houses, Churches and Public Buildings Built in Boston Proper (Today’s Downtown, Dock Square and North End)
Before The Beginning of the American Revolution
And Surviving Today. Total: Eleven
Old North Church (Christ Church) (1723), Boston, Massachusetts; View of tower at night.
Old North Church (Christ Church) (1723), Boston, Massachusetts; View from West looking down Hull Street. Steeple held lanterns warning of British march to Concord April 19, 1775. Brick tower, wooden finials on two stage top with high spire.
Old North Church (Christ Church) (1723), Boston, Massachusetts; Interior looking east toward altar. Fluted columns at gallery level, panelled gallery, box pews, pulpit with sounding board (canopy), Anglican altar.
Old South Meeting House (1729-30), Boston, Massachusetts; View from southwest. Brick meeting house with prominent brick tower at west end - wooden arches and spire at top. In late colonial times political meetings were held here when a large crowd was anticipated. Preliminaries to the Boston Tea Party took place here. During the British occupation of Boston used as a riding stable.
Union Oyster House (c 1742), Union Street, Boston, Massachusetts; The first known use of the building was for Capen's dry goods establishment. In 1826 it became the Atwood and Bacon Oyster House, and after consistent service over centuries and decades is now the oldest restaurant in Boston.
Weathercock by Shem Drowne (1721) originally on the New Brick Church in Boston's North End, now on 1st Church (Congregational), Cambridge, Massachusetts
Grasshopper Weather Vane (1742), Faneuil Hall, Boston, Massachusetts. Made by Shem Drowne in imitation of the symbol of the Royal Exchange, London
Faneuil Hall (1742 - enlarged 1805), Boston, Massachusetts; East facade and South side. Donated by Peter Faneuil in 1742. Enlarged 1805 by architect Charles Bulfinch. "Cradle of Liberty". Place of many controversial meetings in colonial days and prior to US Civil War.
Faneuil Hall (1742 - enlarged 1805), Boston, Massachusetts; West end on winter afternoon. Bulfinch's 1805 enlargement moved the cupola and weather vane to the east end.
King's Chapel (1749-54), Boston, Massachusetts; West facade on summer evening. Designed by Peter Harrison. For many years after the American Revolutionary War called the "Stone Chapel" to omit the "king".
King's Chapel (completed 1754), Boston, Massachusetts; Exterior from northwest in winter. Designed by Peter Harrison, the church never received a spire. Severe granite exterior. Wood portico added 1785.
King's Chapel (1754), Boston, Massachusetts; Interior looking east. Georgian elegance. Fluted Corinthian columns support graceful vault, panelled gallery, box pews, altar, pulpit, sounding board or canopy.
King's Chapel (1754), Boston, Massachusetts; Interior looking west. Fluted Corinthian columns support graceful vaulting. Box pews, panelled gallery, organ.
Ebenezer Hancock House (c 1767), Marshall Street, Boston, Massachusetts. John Hancock's brother, Ebenezer used this building when serving as deputy paymaster of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Ebenezer Hancock House (1767), Boston, Massachusetts; hearth and paneling east front room.
Ebenezer Hancock House (1767), Boston, Massachusetts; east window, east front room.