In the 1800s, a former hill used to occupy the current location of a curved building now known as 1-3 Center Plaza. This hill was referred to as Cotton or Pemberton Hill. Pemberton Hill was actually one of three hills which comprised the Tri-mount (a name which is recognized to this day on the nearby Tremont Street situated right outside of Center Plaza). It is said that the curve of this building actually follows the base of where Pemberton hill used to reside.
Pemberton Hill, once some seventy feet high, was gradually flattened for landfill usage in both Beacon Hill and Back Bay. In its place, around 1835, rose a series of London-esque brick row houses. Each of these homes was developed to look similar in style, with a narrow garden area in the center. These houses were occupied primarily by wealthy architects and lawyers. By the end of the 19th century, however, many of these residences had begun to be replaced by businesses and in 1885 the once prominent houses and garden were razed to make way for the John Adams Courthouse. This courthouse (when ideally viewed at the top of the stairs to 1-3 Center Plaza) is best recognized as the site of numerous crazy cases during the TV series, Ally McBeal.
Also located within the brick plaza space atop the stairwell is a series of circular brick bench spaces. Attached to these you may not a bronze plaque honoring former Massachusetts Governor John Endicott and Yale founder Elithu Yale. Both formerly resided in this area prior to the development of Pemberton Square. Governor Endicott was actually a five-time governor between 1629 and 1664 and one of the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
- Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemberton_Square_(Boston)
- Address: 1-3 Center Plaza, Boston, MA (Address is approximate)
- Cost: Free
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