Beacon Hill is perhaps the only neighborhood in Boston where the character of the original Boston can still be discerned relatively unaltered, with a healthy mix of homes, shops, and offices. Far denser than Back Bay and therefore not plagued by cars, a sense of community is palpable among the beautiful well-maintained homes. I should admit it's always been my favorite Boston neighborhood so perhaps I am slightly biased, though I am by no means the only one with a preference for historic row homes. Bordering Boston Common and the Public Garden, this has been the city's upper-class neighborhood since the late 18th century, especially the south slope of the hill facing the parks. Famous residents have included John Hancock, Robert Lee Frost, and more recently Edward Kennedy and John Kerry. Famous architect Charles Bulfinch also lived and designed many homes here. Acorn Street, allegedly the most photographed street in the country, is on the south slope, as is Louisburg Square, one of the most elegant squares in the country.
The north slope of the hill, roughly separated by Myrtle Steet, was traditionally an African-American area and home to Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman. A center of the abolitionist movement, north slope residents helped many slaves during its role on the Underground Railroad. After the Civil War, the north slope became increasingly settled by European immigrants and today it has many more apartment buildings than the south slope, though has itself experienced gentrification and is by no means cheap. The main commercial corridors is Charles Street, with the usual mix of boutiques, cafes, restaurants, etc.
With a population of about 10,000, Beacon Hill is also a preferred location for many of the city's institutions, such as the Boston Bar Association, American Meteorological Society, Harvard Musical Association, and of course the Massachusetts State House, by far the area's largest building. Unfortunately, the cream of society, once called Boston Brahmins, no longer sees the neighborhood as desirable, and like much of the country has moved to the suburbs and country clubs, leaving Beacon Hill behind for those with more discerning, urban tendencies. Still, homes in Beacon Hill sell for millions.
Read more about the history of Beacon Hill here.
Beacon Hill is unique but yet so familiar, because it's the Boston we've all grown up with. The red rowhomes pop from the historical novels of our school days, from tourist guides and television shows. It's quintessential Boston and doesn't disappoint. I find it very difficult to find fault, but of course there are always some drawbacks. Like Back Bay, Beacon Hill used to directly abut Charles River, but a busy expressway now stands in between the neighborhood and the public esplanade. It's not an easy journey to get across and hardly encourages an easy Sunday stroll. To a lesser degree but still an issue, Beacon Street was once a relatively calm road but today is a busy four lane road, making it difficult to reach Boston Common and degrading the quality of life for homeowners. Most of the mansions along Beacon Street have long since been transformed into institutional offices as it's simply too busy and loud.
There's no getting away from the fact that prime Beacon Hill is bounded by Charles, Beacon, Joy, and Pinckney Streets, and while much of the rest of the neighborhood is also very nice, there are rough patches. Except for the north half of Brimmer Street, most of the neighborhood west of Charles Street is pretty commercial, with a lot of apartment buildings and not much greenery. And as we have learned, the tough past of the north slope has had a long lasting effect on the area's streets and architecture which has not entirely abated.
My number one criticism, however, concerns the almost total lack of back gardens, a problem throughout urban Boston, including the Back Bay and Charlestown. Very few homes have any sort of garden, let alone one worth spending time in. Instead, many now host kitchen extensions or car parking. Some might argue that this lack encourages greater participation in the public realm, but finding respite in the comfort of ones' own garden is, I believe, far more relaxing on a quiet evening after work. That's not something the Boston Common, with its myriad of tourists and other visitors, can replicate. It also makes urban life with children more difficult, as the kids can't just go run about in the garden while dinner is being made. Many European cities like London have attained this balance much more effectively, boasting ample gardens even in dense urban areas. Perhaps rethinking those kitchen extensions might give less reason to flee to the suburbs?
Despite my reservations, I'm still a huge fan of Beacon Hill. It really is by far my favorite neighborhood in Boston, possibly the whole country. Certainly one of the best in New England. I've always liked a "northern" style of architecture and for that the red brick and rowhome is almost unbeatable. Residents in Beacon Hill have put in a lot of effort to retain the neighborhood's best features and the results speak for themselves. Street after street presents a beautiful streetscape and elegant, well-maintained homes. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in Boston.
Almost done with Boston. The conclusion post is next.
The north slope of the hill, roughly separated by Myrtle Steet, was traditionally an African-American area and home to Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman. A center of the abolitionist movement, north slope residents helped many slaves during its role on the Underground Railroad. After the Civil War, the north slope became increasingly settled by European immigrants and today it has many more apartment buildings than the south slope, though has itself experienced gentrification and is by no means cheap. The main commercial corridors is Charles Street, with the usual mix of boutiques, cafes, restaurants, etc.
With a population of about 10,000, Beacon Hill is also a preferred location for many of the city's institutions, such as the Boston Bar Association, American Meteorological Society, Harvard Musical Association, and of course the Massachusetts State House, by far the area's largest building. Unfortunately, the cream of society, once called Boston Brahmins, no longer sees the neighborhood as desirable, and like much of the country has moved to the suburbs and country clubs, leaving Beacon Hill behind for those with more discerning, urban tendencies. Still, homes in Beacon Hill sell for millions.
Read more about the history of Beacon Hill here.
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| Beacon Street, which faces Boston Common |
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| Charles Street, the shopping area |
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| Brimmer Street, which runs north-south, is the nicest area west of Charles Street, and was mostly developed around 1870 |
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| As you'll see, plenty of trees is not an uncommon sight in Beacon Hill |
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| Bay windows are another signature feature of the neighborhood |
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| By now you may have noticed the red brick sidewalks, one of the hallmarks of the neighborhood. The home with the yellow door is currently on the market for $2.2 million |
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| Vine-clad buildings are also a common sight, as are gas-lit lamps |
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| Temple Street runs north from the State House |
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| How nice to have bay windows just above the front door, to survey the comings and goings, and the little front gardens are also great |
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| Hancock Street is one of the north slope's most pleasant streets, lined with condo buildings |
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| From above, the north slope looks remarkably dense considering that below it can be quite calm and quiet |
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| Myrtle Street divides north and south slope and clearly has a more urban, less residential feel, though still charming |
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| I think the sparse urbanism recalls inner city neighborhoods from cartoons I watched as a kid |
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| Both in scale and architecture, this apartment building on Revere is unlike anything else in Beacon Hill |
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| Beacon Hill is at its best when there's a procession of red brick rowhomes |
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| Russell is my favorite street on the north slope, serene and beautifully maintained, it rivals the best of the south slope |
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| North slope on the right, south on the left |
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| West Cedar Street on the north slope, a well balanced streetscape with nicely contrasting left and right sides of the street |
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| West Cedar on the south slope |
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| A block further south, the street is more affluent. Wrought ironwork adds a lot of character to homes throughout the neighborhood |
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| Apart from Charles, Joy Street is the only street to run clear across Beacon Hill north-south but the south side is significantly less severe |
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| Pinckney is the furthest north street on the south slope and immediately we'll start to see a more refined quality compared to the north slope |
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| They were a common sight in Charlestown, but homes oriented perpendicular to the street are rare in Beacon Hill |
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| Architecture tends to be more expressive on the south slope, reflecting the area's wealthy past |
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| It's hard to define exactly, but the south slope just feels more relaxed, more assured |
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| The size of these homes! This is a place of grand gestures, although to my knowledge they are now split into condos |
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| A mix of soft edges such as front steps, small gardens, and flower boxes, work together to enhance the streetscape |
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| Preserving windows in a historical style is an important aspect of Beacon Hill's beauty |
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| And so we arrive to Louisburg Square |
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| Nice to see some cobbles, if only a thin sliver |
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| Vine-clad buildings are taboo in the suburbs I'm from, good to see it not only acceptable but desired in urban America |
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| It's curious that it's the only garden square in Beacon Hill, a few more wouldn't have gone amiss |
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| I really like the more modest symmetry of the western side of the square |
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| It's more classic Beacon Hill, classic Boston |
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| Mount Vernon Street east of Louisburg Square is the only part of Beacon Hill with sizable front lawns |
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| It's not altogether unpleasant, but there's a clear disconnect between the homes and streetscape |
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| Chestnut is wider than most streets on the south slope |
There's no getting away from the fact that prime Beacon Hill is bounded by Charles, Beacon, Joy, and Pinckney Streets, and while much of the rest of the neighborhood is also very nice, there are rough patches. Except for the north half of Brimmer Street, most of the neighborhood west of Charles Street is pretty commercial, with a lot of apartment buildings and not much greenery. And as we have learned, the tough past of the north slope has had a long lasting effect on the area's streets and architecture which has not entirely abated.
My number one criticism, however, concerns the almost total lack of back gardens, a problem throughout urban Boston, including the Back Bay and Charlestown. Very few homes have any sort of garden, let alone one worth spending time in. Instead, many now host kitchen extensions or car parking. Some might argue that this lack encourages greater participation in the public realm, but finding respite in the comfort of ones' own garden is, I believe, far more relaxing on a quiet evening after work. That's not something the Boston Common, with its myriad of tourists and other visitors, can replicate. It also makes urban life with children more difficult, as the kids can't just go run about in the garden while dinner is being made. Many European cities like London have attained this balance much more effectively, boasting ample gardens even in dense urban areas. Perhaps rethinking those kitchen extensions might give less reason to flee to the suburbs?
Despite my reservations, I'm still a huge fan of Beacon Hill. It really is by far my favorite neighborhood in Boston, possibly the whole country. Certainly one of the best in New England. I've always liked a "northern" style of architecture and for that the red brick and rowhome is almost unbeatable. Residents in Beacon Hill have put in a lot of effort to retain the neighborhood's best features and the results speak for themselves. Street after street presents a beautiful streetscape and elegant, well-maintained homes. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in Boston.
Almost done with Boston. The conclusion post is next.
