State Street (Boston)

State Street is one of the oldest and most historic streets in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Located in the financial district, it is the site of some historic landmarks, such as Long Wharf, the Old State House and the Boston Custom House.

State Street with view of Old State House in 2010

History

South Market Street, Boston, a stereoscopic photograph by Bierstadt Brothers

In 1630, the first Puritan settlers, led by John Winthrop, built their earliest houses along what is today State Street. The Puritans also originally built the meeting house for the First Church in Boston on the street across from the marketplace, which was located where the Old State House stands today. By 1636 the thoroughfare was known as Market Street. From 1708 to 1784, it was renamed King Street. In 1770 the Boston Massacre took place in front of the Customs House.[1]

During the Revolutionary War, it assumed its current, non-royalist name.[2] In the 19th century State Street became known as Boston's primary location for banks and other financial institutions.[3]

Transportation

The Blue Line of the MBTA subway runs below State Street. Two stations have entrances on State Street: Aquarium and State. The Faneuil Hall Marketplace is also nearby. The east end of State Street is at Long Wharf, where ferries are available to several places, including the airport.

Images

John Winthrop built his first house in Boston on what is today, State Street
1630 site of Winthrop's first home in Boston on State Street
The Boston Massacre took place on State Street (then "King Street") in front of the Old State House; the site is marked by a cobblestone circle in the square
Detail of 1775 map of Boston, showing King Street and vicinity
State Street, 1801, by J. Marston
Advertisement for Lemuel Gulliver "stationer, chart and nautical bookseller" c. 1826
State St., c. 19th century

References

"Boston Massacre". HISTORY. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
Boston Street Laying-Out Dept. A record of the streets, alleys, places, etc. in the city of Boston. Boston: City Printing Dept., 1910.
Thomas F. Anderson. Historic Boston. New England Magazine, June 1908

Streets and squares in Boston
East–west streets	Beacon Street Boylston Street Commonwealth Avenue Congress Street Court Street Day Boulevard Dedham Parkway Fenway Gallivan Boulevard Huntington Avenue Melnea Cass Boulevard Milk Street Neptune Road New Chardon Street Newbury Street Park Street Soldiers Field Road State Street Storrow Drive Summer Street Tremont Street Winter Street
North–south streets	Arborway Atlantic Avenue Bennington Street Blue Hills Parkway Bowdoin Street Brattle Street Brookline Avenue Charles Street Columbus Avenue Dorchester Avenue Enneking Parkway Federal Street Franklin Street Hanover Street Jamaicaway Jersey Street (Yawkey Way) Massachusetts Avenue Morrissey Boulevard Morton Street North Street Park Drive Riverway School Street Truman Parkway Turtle Pond Parkway Union Street Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway Washington Street West Boundary Road West Roxbury Parkway
Intersections	Adams Square Andrew Square Blackstone Square Brigham Circle Central Square Chester Square City Square Cleveland Circle Codman Square Copley Square Day Square Dewey Square Dock Square Downtown Crossing Egleston Square Fields Corner Franklin Square Haymarket Square Hyde Square Jackson Square Kenmore Square Louisburg Square Mass and Cass Maverick Square Nubian Square (Dudley Square) Packard's Corner Park Square Peabody Square Post Office Square Roxbury Crossing Scollay Square Sullivan Square Thompson Square Union Square Uphams Corner Winthrop Square
Italics denote streets and squares that no longer exist. See also Neighborhoods in Boston Transportation in Boston

State Street (Boston)

History

Transportation

See also

Images

References

Further reading