BEACON HILL

Beacon Hill is a fascinating and delightful area to explore. It is an early 19th century neighbourhood and contains elegant redbrick houses within a maze of steep streets and narrow, cobbled lanes using the old-fashioned gas lighting. The house styles vary from Victorian and Georgian to Federalistic. When the new State House opened on its southern slope, Beacon Hill was transformed into a very popular and prestigious residential area. The National Historic District is especially well maintained and preserved.

Beacon Hill’s transformation began at the end of the 18th century. A group of businessmen, notably the architect Charles Bulfinch, instigated the design of these high quality homes. The result was that Boston’s wealthiest families swiftly moved in, especially to the south slope. The development of Back Bay led to a period of decline for Beacon Hill. The reason for this was that many people moved to this newer area, which offered larger houses and wider streets. However, the second half of the 20th century saw its resurgence in popularity.

Beacon Hill is the epitome of elegance and restraint with the delicate ironwork, flowery window boxes and pillared porticoes. Places most worth noting are, Chestnut Street, Acorn Street, Mt. Vernon Street (Mount Vernon Proprietors were the group who initially bought the area with a view to developing it) and most impressive of all, Louisburg Square.Unusually the street lamps are lit all day. It is worth noting the very distinctive and highly prized purple panes of glass on Beacon Street. Visit the Nichols House Museum to view the interior of a Beacon Hill home.

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