Federal Street (Boston)
Encyclopedia
Federal Street is a street in the Financial District of Boston
, Massachusetts
. Prior to 1788, it was known as Long Lane. The street was re-named after state leaders met there in 1788 to determine Massachusetts' ratification
of the United States Constitution.
in 1788. Henry Knox
was born on Long Lane in 1750. The Federal Street Theatre
was built in 1793, designed by Charles Bulfinch
; it remained until 1852.
; comedian Snelling Powell; dancing master William Turner. In 1823, residents included the Federal Street Coffee House; hairdresser William Lenox; Esther Newell and her "female intelligence office;" grocer Henry Sweetser; seamstress Martha Vincent. Dorothy Quincy
and John Mackay
also lived on Federal St. in the early 19th-century. Auctioneer J.L. Cunningham
worked from Corinthian Hall, 1826-1843. J. H. Bufford
's Sons ran a lithography printing business in the 1870s.
. In 1929, the "art deco jewel" at 75 Federal Street was built. The Blue Cross/Blue Shield building, designed by Paul Rudolph
was built 1957-1960. 150 Federal Street, designed by Hugh Stubbins Jr.
was built in 1988.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Prior to 1788, it was known as Long Lane. The street was re-named after state leaders met there in 1788 to determine Massachusetts' ratification
Article Seven of the United States Constitution
Article Seven of the United States Constitution provides how many state ratifications were necessary in order for the Constitution to take effect and how a state could ratify it.-Text:-Background:...
of the United States Constitution.
18th century
In 1727 the Long Lane Meeting House was established; it changed its name to the Federal Street ChurchFederal Street Church (Boston)
The Federal Street Church was a congregational unitarian church in Boston, Massachusetts. Organized in 1727, the presbyterian congregation changed in 1786 to Congregationalism, then adopted the liberal theology of its fifth Senior Minister, William Ellery Channing. For most of the 18th-century the...
in 1788. Henry Knox
Henry Knox
Henry Knox was a military officer of the Continental Army and later the United States Army, and also served as the first United States Secretary of War....
was born on Long Lane in 1750. The Federal Street Theatre
Federal Street Theatre
The Federal Street Theatre , also known as the Boston Theatre, was located at the corner of Federal and Franklin streets in Boston, Massachusetts. It was "the first building erected purposely for theatrical entertainments in the town of Boston."-History:The original building was designed by Charles...
was built in 1793, designed by Charles Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch was an early American architect, and has been regarded by many as the first native-born American to practice architecture as a profession....
; it remained until 1852.
19th century
In 1806, residents included engraver Joseph Callender; printer Nathaniel Coverly; merchant Stephen HigginsonStephen Higginson
Stephen Higginson was an American merchant and shipmaster from Boston, Massachusetts. He was a delegate for Massachusetts to the Continental Congress in 1783...
; comedian Snelling Powell; dancing master William Turner. In 1823, residents included the Federal Street Coffee House; hairdresser William Lenox; Esther Newell and her "female intelligence office;" grocer Henry Sweetser; seamstress Martha Vincent. Dorothy Quincy
Dorothy Quincy
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott was an American hostess, the daughter of Justice Edmund Quincy of Braintree and Boston. Her aunt, also named Dorothy Quincy, was the subject of Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem Dorothy Q....
and John Mackay
John Mackay (Boston Industrialist)
John Mackay was a well known and successful ship master and early industrialist in Boston, Massachusetts. John Mackay was born in Boston and he participated in the Mackay family business of shipping started by his father and uncle...
also lived on Federal St. in the early 19th-century. Auctioneer J.L. Cunningham
Joseph Lewis Cunningham
Joseph Lewis Cunningham or J. L. Cunningham worked as an auctioneer in Boston, Massachusetts, in the first half of the 19th century...
worked from Corinthian Hall, 1826-1843. J. H. Bufford
John Henry Bufford
John Henry Bufford was a lithographer in 19th-century Boston, Massachusetts.-Biography:Bufford trained "in the Pendleton shop in Boston from 1829 to 1831." According to one historian, Bufford's work as a lithographer represented "a mediocre sort of craftmanship at best...
's Sons ran a lithography printing business in the 1870s.
20th century
In 1928 arose Boston's "first art deco skyscraper," the United Shoe Machinery BuildingUnited Shoe Machinery Corporation Building
United Shoe Machinery Corporation Building is an historic building at 138-164 Federal Street in Boston, Massachusetts.The building was built in 1929 and added to the National Historic Register in 1980....
. In 1929, the "art deco jewel" at 75 Federal Street was built. The Blue Cross/Blue Shield building, designed by Paul Rudolph
Paul Rudolph (architect)
Paul Marvin Rudolph was an American architect and the dean of the Yale School of Architecture for six years, known for use of concrete and highly complex floor plans...
was built 1957-1960. 150 Federal Street, designed by Hugh Stubbins Jr.
Hugh Stubbins Jr.
Hugh Asher Stubbins Jr. was an architect who designed several high profile buildings around the world.-Biography:...
was built in 1988.
See also
- 101 Federal Street101 Federal Street101 Federal Street is a skyscraper on Federal Street in the Financial District neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Completed in 1988, the 116 meter building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC...
- Dewey SquareDewey SquareDewey Square is a square in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, USA. It lies at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue, Summer Street, Federal Street, Purchase Street and Surface Artery, with the Central Artery passing underneath in the Dewey Square Tunnel and Big Dig...
- Federal Street Church (Boston)Federal Street Church (Boston)The Federal Street Church was a congregational unitarian church in Boston, Massachusetts. Organized in 1727, the presbyterian congregation changed in 1786 to Congregationalism, then adopted the liberal theology of its fifth Senior Minister, William Ellery Channing. For most of the 18th-century the...
- Federal Street TheatreFederal Street TheatreThe Federal Street Theatre , also known as the Boston Theatre, was located at the corner of Federal and Franklin streets in Boston, Massachusetts. It was "the first building erected purposely for theatrical entertainments in the town of Boston."-History:The original building was designed by Charles...
- First National Bank Building (Boston, Massachusetts)
- One Federal StreetOne Federal StreetOne Federal Street is a skyscraper in the Financial District neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Completed in 1975, it is Boston's 11th-tallest building, standing 520 feet tall, and housing 38 floors....
- Trans National PlaceTrans National PlaceTrans National Place, also known as 115 Winthrop Square, is a proposed supertall skyscraper in Boston, Massachusetts. Original designs were completed by architect Renzo Piano, who later left the project in March 2007...
- United Shoe Machinery Corporation BuildingUnited Shoe Machinery Corporation BuildingUnited Shoe Machinery Corporation Building is an historic building at 138-164 Federal Street in Boston, Massachusetts.The building was built in 1929 and added to the National Historic Register in 1980....
External links
- Bostonian Society has materials related to the street.
- Google News Archive
- United Shoe Machinery building, 160 Federal St. Postcard
- United Shoe Machinery building, 160 Federal St. Photo.
- View of Boston from an upper floor, One Federal Street, 2006
