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work that city: beacon hill previous|next home | back bay | beacon hill | boston common | chinatown | downtown boston | fenway | north end | roxbury | south end | south boston | cambridge | other places Beacon Hill was originally one peak among the three mountain mass called Trimountain. Originally called Sentry Hill, it was renamed "Beacon" for the beacon placed at the top of the hill. Duh. One of the mountains was called Pemberton, and the other, Mt. Vernon, was often affectionately referred to as "Mt. Whoredom" due to its red-light district (perhaps the location of Joy Street?). The peaks of Trimountain were demolished over many years during the late 1700s in order to provide land filling for marshy land that was uninhabitable. The gradual demolition of Beacon Hill was very controversial at the time, and a large part of it was orchestrated by John Hancock's heirs. Even the nation's first independence monument, designed by Charles Bullfinch, was torn down in the process of demolition on Beacon Hill (the Bunker Hill memorial in Charlestown later replaced it). The Hancocks and the city had disputes over the ownership of some portions of Beacon Hill, and lawsuits ensued. At one point, however, the city became financially strapped and sold land to the Hancocks, who proceeded with additional demolition. Beacon Hill has a lot of very old, very historical houses that were once occupied by very famous, very historical people. Amethyst used to be used in the construction of windows here long ago. Because the amethyst darkened over time, the "purple windows" found in some homes give an indication of how old the house is. Another interesting fact: architect Ralph Adams Cram started the tradition of Christmas caroling on Beacon Hill. Sites of interest on Beacon Hill: -The Statehouse: Massachusetts' state government operates out of this edifice at the corner of Boston Common. You may stop in on Harvard's two state representatives, Jarrett Barrios and Alice Wolf, if you like. Acting Governor Jane Swift, who succeeded Governor Cellucci when George Bush named him Ambassador to Canada, is the first governor in the country to give birth while in office. Also of note, Boston is the site of the 2004 Democratic National Convention. -The Afro-American Museum (46 Joy St.): This museum occupies the building that was Boston's first black school. The building also borders Pinckney Street, which was originally called "Pickaninny St." when African-Americans lived there long ago. -The African Meeting House (Smith Court): built in 1806, the African Meeting House is the oldest Black Church standing in America. Some famous Beacon Hill residents: John F. Kennedy, Robert Frost, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Eli Yale, Louis Brandeis, Isabella Stuart Gardner Beacon Hill Links: -Boston: DNC 2004 -Beacon Hill Online -Black Heritage Trail -Boston Redevelopment Authority previous|next

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