10 Boston Neighborhoods 🏠 A Brief History Of Each
Boston is for sure an OG city. Founded in 1630, is one of the oldest and most historically rich cities in the US. Over the centuries (centuries!), it has developed into a tight knit group of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. These neighborhoods, from the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill to the Victorian brownstones in the Back Bay, to the multicultural enclaves of Dorchester and Roxbury, tell the story of Boston's growth and diversity. Here is a brief history of several key neighborhoods in Boston.
Cutting down Beacon Hill in 1811; a view from the north toward the Massachusetts State House
BACKBAY: The Back Bay is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, named for the body of water adjacent to it. This area was a literal bay, filled in over time during the mid-19th century. The project was one of the largest examples of land reclamation in the US during the 19th century. The new neighborhood was designed to resemble Parisian boulevards with wide, tree-lined avenues. Back Bay is famous for its rows of Victorian brownstone homes, especially those on the picturesque streets adjacent to the Charles River, Beacon Street, Commonwealth Avenue, and Newbury Street, the latter of which has become a well-known shopping destination.
BEACON HILL: Beacon Hill is one of Boston's oldest neighborhoods and a historic district. It got its name from a beacon that once stood atop its hill to warn locals about foreign invasions. Beacon Hill is known for its beautiful cobblestone streets, federal style rowhouses, and its illustrious history, having been the neighborhood of many notable figures.
NORTH END: Known as Boston's oldest residential community, the North End was first settled in the 1630s. Once home to a significant population of newly arrived immigrants, especially Italians and Jewish immigrants, it's famous for its Italian American population and fine Italian restaurants. The Freedom Trail also passes through this neighborhood.
SOUTH END: Not to be confused with "South Boston," the South End is known for its diversity, with a mix of families, young professionals, and a vibrant LGBTQ+ community. It was developed in the late 1840s after the land was filled, similar to Back Bay. The South End is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is North America’s largest intact Victorian row house district.
DORCHESTER: Dorchester is Boston's largest neighborhood and also one of its most diverse. Long-time residents mingle with newer immigrants from Ireland, Vietnam, and Cape Verde. Originally a separate town founded just a few months after Boston, it was annexed in 1870. Dorchester retains a strong sense of community identity. (Wahlberg breeding ground)
JAMAICA PLAIN: Known as "JP" among the locals, this neighborhood was originally a part of the town of Roxbury. It was founded by Boston Puritans who traveled south from Charlestown in the 17th century. It later became a streetcar suburb and retains significant green space. The Emerald Necklace, a series of parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, spans this neighborhood. (New Kids roots thanks to Joey McIntyre)
CHARLESTOWN: Charlestown is the oldest neighborhood in Boston and originally a separate town and the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It was annexed by Boston in 1874. This neighborhood is home to significant historical landmarks, like the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument.
ROXBURY: Originally a farming community, Roxbury was the birthplace of many movements, with its churches acting as the hubs of the civil rights movement in the '60s. Roxbury has always been an essential part of Boston's history, from its start as a rural community to its time as a wealthy suburb in the 19th century, to its incorporation into Boston.
SOUTH BOSTON: South Boston, or "Southie," is a densely populated neighborhood of Boston, once known for its Irish Catholic community
EAST BOSTON: Known as "Eastie," this area was originally made up of five islands, which were connected using landfill over time. East Boston was created by connecting several islands using landfill and was annexed by Boston in 1836. It is separated from the rest of the city by Boston Harbor and bordered by Winthrop, Revere, and the Chelsea Creek. Primarily a working-class neighborhood, it has been the home to successive waves of immigrants. Originally settled by the Irish, it has been the first home in America for Italians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and more recently for immigrants from Central and South America. It is also the location of Logan Airport. (did you know Spock was raised here??)
Window boxes on cobblestoned Acorn Street on Beacon Hill
There you have it! A few Boston neighborhoods that have evolved over centuries.
Which is your fav? Let us know in the comments!
