Page 236 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

Old State House, Boston

Dwarfed by the towers of the Financial District, this historic
building is typical of the modest and unique architectural style
of New England in the 18th century. It was the seat of British
colonial government between 1713 and 1776 and a replica royal
lion and unicorn decorate each corner of the east fa<;ade. After
independence, the Massachusetts legislature took possession of
the building, and it was used for a variety of purposes, including
Clock face on the
as a produce market, a merchants' exchange, a lVI a sonic lodge, east fa~ade
and a city hall. Its wine cellars now function as a downtown
subway station, and it also houses Bostonian Society memorabilia. Golden Eagle
Sculpture
This symbol of America
can be seen on the
-< Old Slate House THE FREEDOM TRAIL west fa<;ade.
amid the skyscrapers
of the Finan<ial District Sixteen of Boston's most significant
historic sights have been I in ked
together as "The Freed om Trail." This
2.5-mile (4-km) long walking route,
marked in red on the sidewalk,
begins at Boston Common.

~;;;!;~ Westfa~de
A Latin inscription, relating to the
first Massachusetts Bay colony,
runs around the outside of this
crest. The relief in the center
depicts a local Native American.

-< Spire

-< Royal lion
and Unicorn
A royal symbol of Britain,
the original I ion and
unicorn were pulled
down when news of the
Declaration of Independence
reached Boston in 1776.

A Central Staircase -< Keayne Hall
A fine example of 18th-century This is named after Robert
workmanship, the central spiral staircase Keayne who, in 1658, gave
has two beautifully crafted wooden £300 to the city so that the
handrails. It is one of the few staircases
orig ina I Town House of 165 7-8
of its type still in existence in the US. could be built. Exhibits in the
room depict events from the
Coun<il Chamber > .__ _ _. Revolutionary War.

KEY DATES
1667 1713 1780-98 1798 183()..40 1840-80 1881 1976
Boston's first Town The Old State House The building serves The building is After renovation, the The building falls The Old Stale Britain's Queen
House is constructed is built as the s~e as the Massachusetts renovated for building becomes into disrepair after House is compleleo/ Elizabeth II addresses
of wood; it burns of the provincial State House. prwate retail Boston's city hall. being returned to restored by the city. Bostonians from
down in1711. government. tenants. commercial use. the bakony.