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Beacon
Hill is bordered on the East by the Charles
River, with its riverside park known as The Esplanade, on
the North by Cambridge Street, with Mass General
Hospital, on the West by Bowdoin Street, which leads up to
the historic State House, and on the South, by Beacon
Street, with the Boston Common and the Public Garden.
Beacon
Hill
is well known as one of the most charming areas of the city.
Houses dating from the earliest part of the 18th century
line its' tree shaded streets. Most of the houses are
attached brick structures. These can be single family
houses, or they can be divided into apartments or
condominiums.
Until the end of the 18th
century, what became the Beacon Hill neighborhood
was dominated by Trimount, a large, steep, 3 peaked hill
that was considered undevelopable.
In the 1780’s, a primitive
beacon, really nothing more than a fire sitting on top of a
pole, was placed on top of one of the hills as a warning for
ships to avoid running aground. It was later replaced with a
more elegant column.
Beginning in 1795, Charles
Bullfinch and Harrison Grey began work to develop the area.
They cut the top 60 feet off of Trimount, using the dirt to
fill in the area of the Charles river that later became
known as The Flat of the Hill. Bullfinch designed the new
State House, famous for its golden dome, still used today.
In 1827, Louisburg Square
was finished, a development of lavish townhouses that still
sits on top of Beacon Hill, all that remains of Trimount. The
square is still one of Boston’s most exclusive addresses,
home to some of the wealthiest people in the country.
The best way to see Beacon Hill is on foot.
Walking the narrow streets, you will see the original 19th
century homes. Since they are architecturally protected, the
exteriors are almost exactly what you would have seen in the last
century. Although there are still many single family homes
there, most of the buildings are in use as multi-unit
condominiums.
The main shopping street is Charles Street,
dominated by antique shops and restaurants.
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