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Old City Hall (Boston)
Encyclopedia
Boston's Old City Hall was home to its city council from 1865 to 1969. It was one of the first buildings in the French Second Empire style to be built in the United States and is now one of few remaining. After the building's completion, the Second Empire style was used extensively elsewhere in Boston and for many public buildings in the United States, such as the Old Executive Office Building
in Washington, D.C.
as well as other city halls in Providence, Baltimore and Philadelphia. The building's architects were Gridley James Fox Bryant
and Arthur Gilman
.
, along the Freedom Trail
between the Old South Meeting House
and King's Chapel
. The Boston Latin School
operated on the site from 1704 to 1748, and on the same street until 1844.
Also on the site, the Suffolk County
Courthouse was erected in 1810 and converted to Boston's second city hall in 1841, being replaced by the current building twenty-four years later. Thirty-eight Boston mayors, including John F. Fitzgerald
, Maurice J. Tobin
, and James Michael Curley
, served their terms of office on School Street at this site over a period of 128 years.
With the 1969 move to the current Boston City Hall
, Old City Hall was converted over the next two years to serve other functions–an early and successful example of adaptive reuse
. Boston based architecture firm Finegold Alexander + Associates Inc
completed the adaptive use and renovation.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark
in 1970. It now houses a number of businesses, organizations, and a Ruth's Chris Steak House
, though its most famous tenant, the upscale French restaurant Maison Robert, closed in 2004.
Old Executive Office Building
The Eisenhower Executive Office Building , formerly known as the Old Executive Office Building and as the State, War, and Navy Building, is an office building in Washington, D.C., just west of the White House...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
as well as other city halls in Providence, Baltimore and Philadelphia. The building's architects were Gridley James Fox Bryant
Gridley James Fox Bryant
Gridley James Fox Bryant was a famous 19th century Boston architect and builder. His work was seen in custom houses, government buildings, churches, schoolhouses, and private residences across the United States.Bryant was born to Marcia Winship Fox and Gridley Bryant, noted railway pioneer...
and Arthur Gilman
Arthur Gilman
Arthur Delevan Gilman was an American architect, designer of many Boston neighborhoods, and member of the American Institute of Architects. Gilman was a descendant of Edward Gilman Sr., one of the first settlers of Exeter, New Hampshire.Gilman was educated at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut...
.
History
Old City Hall, built between 1862 and 1865, is located at 45 School StreetSchool Street
School Street is a short but significant street in the center of Boston, Massachusetts. It is so named for being the site of the first public school in the United States...
, along the Freedom Trail
Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a red path through downtown Boston, Massachusetts, that leads to 16 significant historic sites. It is a 2.5-mile walk from Boston Common to Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. Simple ground markers explaining events, graveyards, notable churches and other buildings, and a...
between the Old South Meeting House
Old South Meeting House
The Old South Meeting House , in the Downtown Crossing area of Boston, Massachusetts, gained fame as the organizing point for the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. 5,000 colonists gathered at the Meeting House, the largest building in Boston at the time.-Church :The church, with its 56 m ...
and King's Chapel
King's Chapel
King's Chapel is "an independent Christian unitarian congregation affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association" that is "unitarian Christian in theology, Anglican in worship, and congregational in governance." It is housed in what was formerly called "Stone Chapel", an 18th century...
. The Boston Latin School
Boston Latin School
The Boston Latin School is a public exam school founded on April 23, 1635, in Boston, Massachusetts. It is both the first public school and oldest existing school in the United States....
operated on the site from 1704 to 1748, and on the same street until 1844.
Also on the site, the Suffolk County
Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Suffolk County has no land border with Plymouth County to its southeast, but the two counties share a water boundary in the middle of Massachusetts Bay.-National protected areas:*Boston African American National Historic Site...
Courthouse was erected in 1810 and converted to Boston's second city hall in 1841, being replaced by the current building twenty-four years later. Thirty-eight Boston mayors, including John F. Fitzgerald
John F. Fitzgerald
John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald was an Irish-American politician and the maternal grandfather of three prominent United States politicians—President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Senators Robert Francis Kennedy and Edward Moore Kennedy.-Early life and family:Fitzgerald was born in...
, Maurice J. Tobin
Maurice J. Tobin
Maurice Joseph Tobin was a Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, the 56th Governor of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, and U.S. Secretary of Labor....
, and James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley was an American politician famous for his four terms as mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. He also served twice in the United States House of Representatives and one term as 53rd Governor of Massachusetts.-Early life:Curley's father, Michael Curley, left Oughterard, County...
, served their terms of office on School Street at this site over a period of 128 years.
With the 1969 move to the current Boston City Hall
Boston City Hall
Boston City Hall is the seat of the municipal government of Boston, Massachusetts. Architecturally, it is an example of the brutalist style. It was designed by Kallmann McKinnell & Knowles...
, Old City Hall was converted over the next two years to serve other functions–an early and successful example of adaptive reuse
Adaptive reuse
Adaptive reuse refers to the process of reusing an old site or building for a purpose other than which it was built or designed for. Along with brownfield reclamation, adaptive reuse is seen by many as a key factor in land conservation and the reduction of urban sprawl...
. Boston based architecture firm Finegold Alexander + Associates Inc
Finegold Alexander + Associates Inc
Finegold Alexander + Associates Inc is an architecture firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. It was established in 1962. Previous firm names include J. Timothy Anderson and Associates, Anderson Notter Associates, Anderson Notter Finegold, Inc., and Notter Finegold + Alexander Inc.The firm is...
completed the adaptive use and renovation.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1970. It now houses a number of businesses, organizations, and a Ruth's Chris Steak House
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Ruth's Chris Steak House is a chain of more than 121 steakhouses across the United States and in several international locations. The restaurant is regarded as an upscale fine dining establishment, marking a gradual elevation in its status since its founding in the 1960s...
, though its most famous tenant, the upscale French restaurant Maison Robert, closed in 2004.
Mayors who served in Old City Hall
- Frederic W. Lincoln, Jr.Frederic W. Lincoln, Jr. (politician)Frederic Walker Lincoln, Jr. was an American manufacturer and politician, serving as the sixteenth and eighteenth mayor of Boston, Massachusetts from 1858–1860 and 1863–1867, respectively.-Notes:...
(1863–1866) - Otis NorcrossOtis NorcrossOtis C. Norcross served as the nineteenth Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, from January 7, 1867 to January 6, 1868 during the Reconstruction era of the United States...
(1867–1868) - Nathaniel B. ShurtleffNathaniel B. ShurtleffNathaniel Bradstreet Shurtleff, Sr. was an American politician, serving as the twentieth mayor of Boston, Massachusetts from January 6, 1868 to January 2, 1871....
(1868–1871) - William GastonWilliam Gaston (Massachusetts)William Gaston was the 29th Governor of Massachusetts in 1875-1876.William Gaston had established a successful legal practice in the City of Roxbury, Massachusetts before entering politics. He served as a Representative in the State Legislature , as Roxbury's City Solicitor , and as its Mayor...
(1871–1872) - Henry L. PierceHenry L. PierceHenry Lillie Pierce was a United States Representative fromMassachusetts. He was born in Stoughton on August 23, 1825. He pursued...
(1873) - Leonard R. CutterLeonard R. CutterLeonard Richardson Cutter , Chairman of the Board of Aldermen of Boston, Massachusetts, ascended on November 29, 1873 to the office of Acting Mayor, with all the powers of mayor except that he did not have mayoral veto authority. Cutter served out the term of Henry L...
(1873) - Samuel C. CobbSamuel C. CobbSamuel Crocker Cobb, was a businessman and politician who served on the city councils of the cities Roxbury, Massachusetts and Boston, Massachusetts and who served three consecutive terms as the Mayor of Boston.- Early life:...
(1874–1876) - Frederick O. PrinceFrederick O. PrinceFrederick Octavius Prince was an American lawyer, politician, and mayor of Boston, Massachusetts.He was the father of financier Frederick H. Prince.-Biography:...
(1877) - Henry L. PierceHenry L. PierceHenry Lillie Pierce was a United States Representative fromMassachusetts. He was born in Stoughton on August 23, 1825. He pursued...
(1878) - Frederick O. PrinceFrederick O. PrinceFrederick Octavius Prince was an American lawyer, politician, and mayor of Boston, Massachusetts.He was the father of financier Frederick H. Prince.-Biography:...
(1879–1881) - Samuel A. GreenSamuel Abbott GreenSamuel Abbott Green was an American politician from Massachusetts who served as mayor of Boston in 1882.-Biography:...
(1882) - Albert Palmer (1883)
- Augustus P. MartinAugustus Pearl MartinAugustus Pearl Martin was an American politician and soldier from Massachusetts who served as the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1884. He also was a leading artillery officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was the leader of the state's Military Order of the Loyal Legion of...
(1884) - Hugh O'BrienHugh O'BrienHugh O'Brien was the 31st mayor of Boston, from 1884–1888. O'Brien is notable as Boston's first Irish mayor, having emigrated from Ireland to America in the early 1830s...
(1885–1888) - Thomas N. HartThomas N. HartThomas Norton Hart was an American manufacturer, businessman, and politician from Massachusetts who served as mayor of Boston from 1889 to 1890 and from 1900 to 1902.- References :...
(1889–1890) - Nathan Matthews, Jr.Nathan Matthews, Jr.Nathan Matthews, Jr. was an American politician from Massachusetts who served as Mayor of Boston from 1891–1894.-Biography:...
(1891–1894) - Edwin Upton CurtisEdwin Upton CurtisEdwin Upton Curtis was an American attorney and politician from Massachusetts who served as the 34th Mayor of Boston in 1895...
(1895) - Josiah Quincy (1896–1899)
- Thomas N. HartThomas N. HartThomas Norton Hart was an American manufacturer, businessman, and politician from Massachusetts who served as mayor of Boston from 1889 to 1890 and from 1900 to 1902.- References :...
(1900–1902) - Patrick CollinsPatrick Collins (mayor)Patrick Andrew Collins was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and mayor of Boston.-Early life:Patrick Collins was born March 12, 1844 near Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland....
(1902–1905) - Daniel A. WheltonDaniel A. WheltonDaniel Aloysius Whelton was an American political figure. Whelton was the first native-born Irish-Catholic mayor of Boston, Massachusetts and remains the youngest person to hold that political office....
(1905–1906) - John F. Fitzgerald (1906–1908, 1910–1914)
- George A. HibbardGeorge A. HibbardGeorge Albee Hibbard was a U.S. political figure. Hibbard was the Mayor of Boston from 1908 to 1910.-Election as Mayor:...
(1908–1910)
- James M. CurleyJames Michael CurleyJames Michael Curley was an American politician famous for his four terms as mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. He also served twice in the United States House of Representatives and one term as 53rd Governor of Massachusetts.-Early life:Curley's father, Michael Curley, left Oughterard, County...
(1914–1918, 1922–1926, 1930–1934, 1946–1950) - Andrew J. PetersAndrew James PetersAndrew James Peters was an American politician. He was born on April 3, 1872 in Jamaica Plain, a section of Boston. His family had been in Massachusetts since the first Andrew Peters arrived there in 1657. Peters attended Harvard University and Harvard Law School. He served two terms in the...
(1918–1922) - Malcolm NicholsMalcolm NicholsMalcolm E. Nichols was a Journalist and a U.S. political figure. Nichols served as the mayor of Boston in the late 1920s as well as the last Republican to serve in that post to date.-Family life:...
(1926–1930) - Frederick MansfieldFrederick MansfieldFrederick William Mansfield was a U.S. political figure.-Early life:Mansfield was born in East Boston, Massachusetts, March 26, 1877. Mansfield was the son of Michael Read Mansfield and Catherine Mansfield....
(1934–1938) - Maurice J. TobinMaurice J. TobinMaurice Joseph Tobin was a Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, the 56th Governor of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, and U.S. Secretary of Labor....
(1938–1945) - John E. KerriganJohn E. KerriganJohn E. Kerrigan was the acting mayor ofBoston in 1945 when Maurice J. Tobin was elected Governor. Kerrigan waslater given full mayoral powers by the Legislature but was defeated in...
(1945–1946) - John B. HynesJohn HynesJohn B. Hynes , a Massachusetts politician, was mayor of Boston 1950-1960.Family backgroundHynes was the son of Bernard Hynes, Abbey Street, Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland, who emigrated to Boston about 1890...
(1947, 1950–1960) - John F. CollinsJohn F. CollinsJohn Frederick Collins was the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, United States from 1960 to 1968.-Biography:John Collins was born in Roxbury, Boston on July 20, 1919. In 1941 he graduated from Suffolk University Law School. He served a tour in the Army during World War II and four years later was...
(1960–1968) - Kevin H. White (1968–1984)
See also
- Boston City CouncilBoston City CouncilThe Boston City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Boston. It is made up of 13 members: 9 district representatives and 4 at-large members. Councilors are elected to two-year terms and there is no limit on the number of terms an individual can serve...
- Boston City HallBoston City HallBoston City Hall is the seat of the municipal government of Boston, Massachusetts. Architecturally, it is an example of the brutalist style. It was designed by Kallmann McKinnell & Knowles...
- current city hall - List of mayors of Boston
- Past Members of the Boston City Council
Further reading
- Boston City Council. Memorial of the inauguration of the statue of Franklin. 1857.
External links
- Official site
- Library of Congress. Historic American Buildings Survey.