Otis was the 3rd Boston mayor and a US Senator. Home was built in 1802. Scenes from 1968 Thomas Crowne Affair were filmed here. Last freestanding mansion in Beacon Hill. More info in our blog.<LINK> Read more.
Currently the Congregational Library and Archives are housed here. Most people recognize this building as the former office of Ally McBeal on the 7th floor. More info on this site via our blog Read more.
Area known for preservation of 19th century w/gas lit lamps & window boxes. In 1634 a warning beacon was located atop a hill by MA State House which gave area its name. Full history in blog. <LINK> Read more.
In the spring of 1923 this private residence was the home to one of the most debated psychic research projects ever when the "Blonde Witch of Lime Street" captivated the city. More info via our blog. Read more.
1 of 16 libraries in US that require membership. Inside resides a book by convicted killer James Allen (aka The Highway Man) who had his life's tale bound in his own skin. More info via blog.<LINK> Read more.
1804 building by Asher Benjamin. Mtg houses in Colonial times meant church as this formerly was. In 1920 bldg had to be moved 10' west to allow for widening of Charles St. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
US Democratic Senator from 1851-74. Statue of him stands in Public Garden. In 1856 was nearly beaten to death on US Senate floor while onlooking senators held at bay via gun point. More info in blog. Read more.
Originally known as Bull & Finch Pub in honor of Boston architect Charles Bulfinch. TV show almost based in Kansas City or Barstow, CA. Cliff actually auditioned to play Norm! More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Church completed in 1888. Designed by local architect John Hubbard Sturgis in Early English Gothic style, AKA the Lancet style (as demonstrated via the "lancet" like windows). More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Name as confirmed by buzzer outside front door (Note: This is private residence). Homes such as this w/no street frontage were not uncommon in late 18th & early 19th century. More info via blog.<LINK> Read more.
From 1890-1910 Dr. George Franklin Grant lived here. Grant was a dentist & the 1st African American professor at Harvard University. Credited as the inventor of the wooden tee. More info in blog<LINK> Read more.
Interesting 2-story brick home in which no two windows are the same size/shape. William Ralph Emerson (Ralph Waldo Emerson’s nephew) designed this unique home in 1885. More info avail via our blog. Read more.
Former stop along underground railway for slaves. Hayden reportedly kept 2 kegs of gunpowder outside front door & threatened to blow it up when owners came to claim slaves. More info via blog.<LINK> Read more.
Boston's last private square. Home of John Kerry & Teresa Heinz. Named for 1745 Battle of Louisbourg. Most homes date to 1835. Louisa May Alcott passed away at #10. More info via blog. <LINK> Read more.
Built 1798 as replacement of Old State House on Washington St. Where all distances in Boston measured from. Dome covered in 23.5 carrot gold leaf. Dome painted black during WWII. More info in our blog Read more.
Gray clapboard built in 1791. Oldest home built by African Americans on Beacon Hill. Named for 2 former residents. Glapion was barber; Middleton veteran of Revolutionary War. More info via blog.<LINK> Read more.
Most Photographed Street in America. Cobblestone alley that is 2 cows wide (as regulated in 19th century). 1820s homes served as servant quarters for homes on Chestnut St. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
Home of 1.6 mile Black Heritage Trail connecting 14 sites across Boston & celebrating pursuit of freedom by blacks in America. Site was 1st public school for black children. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
The stately two-story white Greek Revival building with 2 fluted columns is actually a 3D painting to cover a brick wall at end of alley. Painting dates to 1970s. More info via blog. <LINK> Read more.
Former fire house, best known as home of 6th season of MTV's Real World. Also served as temporary home for TV series Spenser for Hire and was in a horrific Martin Lawrence film. More info in our blog Read more.
Outside is plaque to John Albion Andrew. In 1864 he wrote to cousin Abraham Lincoln about mother who lost 5 children in war. You know this letter via Saving Private Ryan. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens whom spent 14 year in its creation. Shaw's tale is best told via the 1989 film "Glory." Gaudens used 40 men to model for this work. More info available via our blog Read more.
Jan. 4, 1964, 19-yr-old Mary Sullivan was found dead in the bed of her apartment at 44A Charles St. Sullivan was the 13th (and final) victim attributed to the Boston Strangler. More info via our blog Read more.
On 8/19/1962 within a 5th floor apartment, 75-yr-old Ida Irga was murdered by the Boston Strangler. Ida was a shy widow who begged DeSalvo inside after initially shunning him. More info in blog.<LINK> Read more.
During late 18th century contained strong community of free blacks. African Meeting House at end of alley on left is oldest standing Black Church in US dating to 1806. More info in blog. <LINK> Read more.
3-story bow-fronted granite building designed by same designer of Quincy Market (Alexander Paris). Rt bow front from 1819. Left from 1832. Home of private club, Somerset Club. More info via blog<LINK> Read more.
Known by locals as the Sunflower House or Sunflower Castle. 1840 home transformed into colorful residence in 1878. Red English patterned tile is from Akron, OH. More info avail via our blog. Read more.
Former stables to Swan Houses on Chestnut St (13-17). Buildings are limited to a maximum height of thirteen feet as per their original deed. Currently private residences. More info via blog. <LINK> Read more.
Homes at 13, 15, 17 Chestnut St are considered some of the best works by architect Charles Bulfinch. Not bad for a man who also designed the MA State House & U.S. Capitol. More info in our blog.<LINK> Read more.
Learn more about the best buildings of the famed architect of these buildings (Charles Bulfinch) via our Bulfinch-centric blog. <LINK> Read more.
