Boston Winthrop Building

The building at 276-278 Washington Street is known as the Winthrop Building in honor of former Boston Governor John Winthrop, whose final resting place is located within King’s Chapel Burying Ground. It was at this site that the former governor’s second and final home in Boston was situated.  This home dated back to 1644 and you can read more about Governor Winthrop and this former building via a historical plaque situated along the south wall in the alleyway of Spring Lane if you are so interested.

Winthrop Building

Our interest, however lies in the current structure residing at this locale which dates back to 1893. This nine story building was actually the first steel frame skyscraper in all of Boston. What is interesting to note when observing this structure is its gentle curve. This curve was by no means intended as an aesthetically pleasing addition, it was actually dictated via the existing space available to build. The surrounding roads of Spring Lane (to the south) and Water Street (to the north) served as immovable boundaries that determined the design of this building.

Boston Public Garden Tadeusz Kosciuszko Statue

This statue’s subject admittingly baffled me prior to my research, because going into this I could not have told you who Tadeusz Kosciuszko was. Ironically, I must be in the minority as he is honored in numerous other American cities including Detroit, Milwaukee, Chicago, Washington DC, St. Petersburg and many others.

After doing some due diligence I can now proudly share with you the fact that Tadeusz was actually a Colonel in the American Revolution. He was highly commended by both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington and was probably best known for engineering the strategic positioning around key areas such as West Point, the Delaware River and Philadelphia during the war. He was of Polish descent, hence, the explanation for the commissioning of his statue by a local Polish organization.

Tadeusz Kosciuszko Statue

Local artist Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson was selected as the sculptor to unveil a statue on the 150th anniversary of Kosciuzko’s enlistment to the Continental Army. The final figure shows Mr. Kosciuszko in full military garb with his sword dangling from his left side while he holds his hat behind his back. In his right hand is what one can only assume are papers of some military significance.

• Website: http://www.publicartboston.com/content/tadeusz-kasociuszko
• Address: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA. Along the boulevard within the park that is parallel to Boylston Street.
• Cost: Free.

Boston’s James Michael Curley Statues

Situated within a small park space near the New England Holocaust Memorial is a series of two bronze statues (one sitting and one standing). The subject of each these statues is a former Boston mayor James Michael Curley. Curley, who went by the nicknames the “Rascal King” and “Purple Shamrock” (the latter of which is also a popular Irish pub located just across Union Street from the statues) were an immensely popular politician from 1920 to 1950 during which time he served as four time mayor, congressman and the 53rd governor of Massachusetts.

Michael Curley Statues

Curley is best known for having won a seat on the Boston Board of Aldermen (equivalent of a city council) in 1904 while in prison. Curley was arrested for taking a civil service exam for another individual attempting to get a job with the postal service. This incident, instead of hurting his reputation, actually aided it in that his poor constituent perceived the act as a demonstration of how far Curley would go to support his people. In another noted incident, in 1943 while facing a federal indictment over providing illegal influence over some defense contracts, Curley won a third term within the House of Representatives under the campaign slogan, “Curley Gets Things Done.”

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Michael_Curley
• Address: Intersection of Congress Street and Hanover Street within Carmen Park, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free.

I walked Boston’s Edwin Booth Residence

We could find many reasons for our visit to 29A Chestnut Street in Boston’s Beacon Hill. For starters, this building (as confirmed by the plaque outside) was one of the first buildings developed in the area by the Mount Vernon Proprietors. We could also spend time admiring and describing another brilliant example of architecture from 1800 that is attributed to famed architect Charles Bulfinch. Or, there is the fact that 29A Chestnut is one of the few remaining examples of the famed “purple panes” of Beacon Hill left to explore.

Our interest, however, lies in the tale of one of its former residencesEdwin Booth and his somewhat ironic relationship with one former U.S. President. Edwin was the brother of John Wilkes Booth, whom assassinated Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865 at Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. Edwin, a talented actor who was considered by many as one of the best Hamlet’s of his time, was actually participating in a play in a Boston Theater at the time of the assassination. When word of mouth of the incident arrived to Edwin, he immediately left Boston and went into isolation for months before appearing in front of a crowd again. Embarrassed by the actions of his family it is said he was so scarred by the incident was he that he forbid mention of his brother’s name in his presence.

Edwin Booth Residence

In a twist of irony, however, if we roll back the clock a few months from this fateful evening, it was Edwin who saved the life of another member of the Lincoln family. The story goes that Lincoln’s son Robert was on a crowded train platform waiting to board his train, when the force of the crowd nearly pushed him to the rails beneath the train. A strong hand grabbed him and, perhaps, saved his life. That hand belonged to Edwin Booth.

While history will never forgive one Booth, brother for his atrocious act, it should be noted that another family member at least saved one Lincoln from also meeting an untimely demise.

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Booth
• Address: 29A Chestnut Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free.

I walked the Boston’s Custom House Tower

The Custom House Tower is a 29-story skyscraper that is a masterful blending of two very discrete styles. The original building was built in 1847 in the Greek Revival style in a crucifix shape that featured 36 Doric granite columns (only 1/2 of which actually supported the structure) and which weighed some 42 tons each. Each of these columns was carved from a single piece of granite. Atop this original structure was also a magnificent dome reminiscent of the Pantheon.

In 1915 the architectural firm of Peabody & Sterns modified this structure with an Italian Renaissance tower for added office space.  Now when this addition was put in place the city of Boston actually had a height restriction limiting buildings to being no higher than 125’ feet. This proposed addition by Peabody & Sterns actually “exceeded” this limit, however, was allowed to pass because it was a federal building and hence did not have to adhere to this standard. Thus, this allowed for the creation of the tallest building in all of Boston (and actually all of New England) until 1964 when it was finally surpassed by the Prudential Building in Back Bay. Currently the structure is the 17th tallest building in all of Boston.

Custom House Tower

Now, of the current structure, the central focus is obviously the 22’ wide clock. While it is has become such a staple to the Boston skyline that it is hard to believe that actually for much of the 20th century this clock did not even work. The clock was not well planned and the motor initially installed to manage the clock was insufficient and it took many years for the issue to be rectified.
In fact the whole building had to be rectified, for after the customs house, office was shut down the building maintained a period where it was unoccupied for some 14 years. Finally, in 1995 Marriott began renovating the upper floors as a series of time share properties to which the property maintains to this day.

If you wish to explore and experience the Customs House today, you are welcome to do so. The 26th floor has an open-air observation deck, just above the clock, that individuals may visit. Please note, however, that the experience is limited to a one-time tour every day of the week (less Friday) at 2pm… so plan ahead.

One final tip if you wish to take some extra time to explore the innards of the Custom House Tower. If you walk inside, take the stairwell to the 2nd floor before hopping onto the elevator. Here you will not only be able to view some exhibits from the Peabody Essex Museum, which rotate on a periodic basis, but you’ll also be able to enjoy a spectacular view of the original rotunda and dome.

• Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bosch-marriotts-custom-house/
• Address: 3 McKinley Square, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free. The observation deck does include a small fee. You may contact the Marriott for more information at (617) 310-6300.

I walked Boston’s Richards Building

The Richards Building makes our list of important structures in Boston in that it is a rare example of cast-iron architecture within the city. Cast-iron structure came into vogue more in the 20th century, and by this time Boston was well matured in its city planning and construction. If you’re interested in checking the 1st cast-iron building built in Boston, then I recommend you check out our North End tour where we visit the McLaughlin Building over on Fulton Street.

The gray Richards Building dates back to the late 1850-1860s depending upon the source (Note: There appeared to be a lot of dispute as to the specific date across numerous publications.). In fact, when this building was updated in the 1950s, it is said that the original sign with the structure’s erection date on the front façade was just built right over. So, somewhere under this work lies the true history and date as to the building’s origins.

Richards Building

And speaking of origins, the first five floors of the Richards Building were actually constructed in Italy, sent over to Boston and then assembled here upon arrival. The additional floors were later added in 1889.

• Website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/architecturalhistorian/5507039263/
• Address: 114 State Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free.

I Walked Boston’s Post Office Square

Post Office Square, which is home to some 100+ varieties of trees and flower, is also sometimes referred to as the Norman B. Leventhal Park after a former building development within the area. This area was formerly where many manufacturers of rope for ships and such resided in the 1700s. After a fire wiped out those factories, the area was residing for a period of time featuring large stately homes. Unfortunately, a “second” fire (Great Fire of 1872) wiped out these homes and the area underwent a further revitalization. The surrounding streets were all widened and the space left was this small triangular traffic island outside of the former Post Office (now the site of the John W. McCormack Court House). The park was formally opened to the public in 1874.

The park today is 1.7 acres of lush green space that is often frequented by local business men and women during lunch time. To encourage such behavior the city, even provides cushions for free use within the park for each of its visitors to lounge on the grass without soiling their formal attire. Ironically, despite a reluctance to offer this service for fear of the cushions “growing legs,” the city claims that not a single cushion has been stolen to date.

Post Office Square

A further piece of irony surrounding this park is that hidden beneath all of this serenity is that a parking garage resides directly underneath. This has lent itself to the park’s slogan, “Park above, park below.”

Post Office Square is probably best recognized for its long garden trellis which flows through the center area of the park. This 143’ long trellis, which is covered with 7 species of vines, cover a narrow walking path which visitors may follow from one end of the park to the other.

• Website: http://www.normanbleventhalpark.org/history.html
• Address: Post Office Square, Boston, MA (Approximate intersection of Milk Street and Pearl Street)
• Cost: Free

I walked Boston’s Union Oyster House

Located along the Boston Freedom Trail is a restaurant which claims to be the oldest restaurant in America. There are no records which validate when the 3-story red-brick Georgian style Union Oyster House was erected, however, most historians place the building between 1714-1717.

It was originally known as the Capen House and functioned as a dry-goods store until 1798 when it became a tailor shop. During the period of 1771-5 the oldest newspaper in the US, a former-Whig Party paper by the name of The Massachusetts Spy was printed here on the 2nd floor. The 2nd floor was also served as the temporary lodging in 1796 for a young man by the name of Louis Phillippe, who earned a living by providing French lessons. Louis, when he returned to his homeland in France, went on to become the last king of France from the period of 1830-1848.

Boston’s Union Oyster House

Our current resident, the Union Oyster House (UOH) first opened for business here in 1826. It is said that almost one-half of the items on the current menu are originals from when the place first opened. The first toothpick was supposedly used here. These picks were imported from South America. To “market” the new idea, the UOH hired people to sit at the restaurant and ask for one.

If you fancy catching a bite at the UOH, look for booth number 18 upstairs. This booth was dedicated to a regular customer who would often spend his Sundays reading the newspaper here. His name was John F Kennedy. And if you go inside and wish to view the Kennedy booth, but don’t want to appear like too much of a tourist, it is on the second level and don’t worry, it WELL labeled.

I walked to the George Washington Equestrian Statue

The grandest of all statues located within the Boston Public Garden is the George Washington Equestrian statue located near one of the park’s major entrances at the intersection of Arlington Street and Commonwealth Avenue. The statue is breathtaking measuring thirty-eight feet tall. Atop the granite base is Mr. Washington in his full military gear astride his horse, which is well, what an equestrian statue is. This was the first equestrian statue in all of Boston. Another noted equestrian statue of Paul Revere is located Boston’s Little Italy district (the North End). Alongside Washington’s left side is his scabbard and within his right hand is a sword which has known to disappear so often that a stock of spares is maintained by the city.

The artist was Thomas Ball who also designed the second-place Charles Sumner statue located within the Garden. Other noted works by Ball include the Daniel Webster statue in Central Park. A Ball, a Charlestown native, spent three years on this work prior to its unveiling on July 3, 1869. With its unveiling, the statue finally gave Boston the fitting tribute to Washington which it had sought for thirty-nine years since a failed attempt to rename the Boston Common to Washington Park.