The filling of the Back Bay lands began in the fall of 1857 , much of it by Norman C. Munson and George Goss, who contracted with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and with the Boston Water Power Company to undertake the work, using fill excavated in Needham and brought by a special railroad line built for that purpose.
When did they fill in Back Bay?
In 1856 , the Commonwealth of Massachusetts decided to fill in the Back Bay and to construct a new neighborhood on top of the wasteland. By using new steam engine technology, land was hauled in from Needham, 25 miles outside of Boston.
Why did Boston fill in the Back Bay?
The newly built area became the Back Bay neighborhood. In the 1830, owners of the wharves along the South Cove, including Griffin’s wharf where the Boston tea party took place, decided filling the cove and wharves to build railroads would be more profitable than keeping the cove open for shipping .
Is Boston built on landfill?
About one-sixth of Boston sits on landfill . That’s an astonishing amount, and that history of landmaking is part of what makes Boston so vulnerable to sea level rise today.
When did they fill in Boston?
Permission was granted, and in 1807 the filling-in began. Most of the material came from Beacon Hill, whose elevation is currently 60 feet lower than it was before Boston began tearing down its hills to make new land.
Why was Back Bay built?
Back Bay is an officially-recognized neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, built on reclaimed land in the Charles River basin. Construction began in 1859, as the demand for luxury housing exceeded the availability in the city at the time , and the area was fully built by around 1900.
Is Back Bay Boston Safe?
More affluent neighborhoods, like Beacon Hill or Back Bay, are prime real estate locations and the housing costs in these areas reflect that. These areas tend to be among the safest places to live and also where home security systems are most popular.
What kind of people live in Back Bay?
The population of Back Bay is 21,884. The racial demographics of Back Bay are 73.6% white , 8.3% Hispanic, 6.2% Black or African American, 10% Asian, and 1.9% Mixed or other races.
Is Back Bay Expensive?
When we reported on the average rent prices by town back in 2017, Back Bay was the most expensive place in town . It has yet to be dethroned, as it still boasts the highest average rent price for a 3 bedroom apartment at a whopping $4,908, and the second highest average for a 2 bedroom apartment at $3,696.
What Is Back Bay known for?
The Back Bay is a affluent neighborhood in the heart of Boston and is home to landmarks such as Copley Square, the Prudential Center, and the Boston Public Library . Walk down the famous Newbury Street, stroll Commonwealth Avenue, or spend your evening out at one of the lively bars or restaurants.
What is Boston original name?
Originally called Tremontaine for the three hills in the area, the Puritans later changed the settlement’s name to Boston, after the town in Lincolnshire, England, from which many Puritans originated.
What are the 3 hills of Boston?
The Hill with Three Tops is gone, and today is just called Beacon Hill. The three peaks were known as Beacon Hill (where the State House now stands), Mount Vernon, (at Louisburg Square ), and Pemberton Hill (at Pemberton Square).
Is Boston a safe city?
Boston sees 655 violent crimes per 100,000, making the city less safe than 83 percent of US cities . The violent crime rate in Boston is nearly double the national violent crime rate. People in Boston have a 1 out of 153 chance of becoming a victim of crime, compared to a 1 in 296 in the state of Massachusetts.
How did Boston become a city?
In 1630, Puritan colonists from England founded Boston , which quickly became the political, commercial, financial, religious and educational center of the New England region. ... In the 19th century the city was dominated by an elite known as the Boston Brahmins.
What happened to the Boston Neck?
Gage ordered a ditch to be dug in front of the fortifications , that would fill with salt water during high tides, effectively cutting Boston off from the mainland. The neck had soft mud on both sides at low tide, making it very difficult to enter Boston on foot except through the town gate.
How old is Beacon Hill?
According to Boston City Hall, Beacon Hill got its name from a beacon that at one point sat up on the hill to warn people about foreign invasion. Development began on the hill in 1795 with the construction of the State House, and then residential development subsequently followed.
