B is for Boston

It is the second day of the A to Z Challenge. Arlee Bird started this blogathon and what started out as a few hundred bloggers has now reached over a thousand! Join in and hop to the different blogs. Meet new people, expand your knowledge, but most of all have fun!

My Urban Fantasy, SOUL TAKER takes place in Boston, Massachusetts so thought I’d list a few interesting facts about the fascinating city!

Boston’s History:

Puritan colonists from England founded the town in 1630.

The Boston Massacre took place on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers fired into a rioting mob on King Street located outside the British Custom House. This resulted in five civilian deaths and escalated the growing tension.

The American Revolution erupted in Boston when the British retaliated against the Patriots after the ‘Boston Tea Party’.

In 1755 Boston endured the 6.0 to 6.3 Cape Ann Earthquake, the largest earthquake to hit Northeastern United States.

March 20 1760, the first ‘Great Fire’ destroyed 349 buildings and was fought by the Boston Fire Department.

1860s Civil War: It was the base for anti-slavery activities.

In the 1800s Boston became the transportation hub for the New England region.

November 9^, 1872: The Great Boston Fire started at the corner of Summer Street and Kingston Street. In two days the fire destroyed 65 acres and 776 buildings. Over 60 million dollars in damage.

On November 28, 1942, Boston’s Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire took place. It was the deadliest nightclub fire in United States history, killing 492 people and injuring hundreds more.

Boston Strangler:  It is believed that between June 14, 1962, and January 4, 1964, as many as the Boston Strangler murdered thirteen single women between the ages of 19 and 85. The number is still in dispute. Though the crimes were attributed to Albert DeSalvo, other investigators suggest that one person did not commit the murders.

March 18, 1990, the largest art theft in modern history occurred. Twelve paintings were stolen from the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum. The total of all twelve paintings was worth over $100 million. The thieves posed as police officers. The paintings have not been recovered.

In 2007, the Central Artery/Tunnel project was completed. Nicknamed the Big Dig. Central Artery underground, widened the north-south highway, and created local bypasses to prevent east-west traffic from contributing to congestion.

Fun Facts:

From 1659 to 1681, it was against the law to celebrate Christmas in Boston because the pilgrims believed it immoral.

Massachusetts State house is home to both the governor, state legislature and also serves as the state capital for Massachusetts. The structure is located on 6.7 acres of land. This land has an amazing pedigree; its former owner was John Hancock.

The Boston Common: It is America’s oldest city park and was established in 1634. The property was once owned by the city’s first settler, William Blaxton. During colonial times, the British used the Common as a military base, and a place where criminals were hanged.  The Frog Pond in the center of the park is used as a skating rink during the winter months. They even have a Skating Academy that offers “open enrollment!”

Located at 148 Tremont Street in the Boston Common area of Boston. The Freedom Trail leads visitors to sixteen historic sites covering American history from past to present.

The Boston Cream Pie was invented at the Omni Parker House in Boston. It is the state’s official dessert.

The first American lighthouse was built in the Boston Harbor in 1716.

On March 17, 1737, St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated for the first time and it was celebrated in Boston.

The first sewing machine was built in Boston in 1845.

Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone, first demonstrated it in Boston on March 10, 1876. March 10, 1876. The first phone call in history was from Bell’s Boston machine shop. The call was to his assistant, Thomas A. Watson, in which Bell chimed, from down the hall, “Watson come here, I want you!”

The first telephone line was installed in a home in Somerville, next door to the current residence of Congressman Capuano.

Harvard University, the country’s first college, was founded in 1636.

The first public beach, Revere Beach, is also located in Massachusetts.

Boston’s Haunted Places:

Boston Common: Hangings were also held at Boston Common, most notably the 1660 hanging of Mary Dyer along with three other Quakers. Initially, offenders were hanged from a tree, but from 1769 until 1817, gallows were used.

Boston Harbor: Fort Warren on Georges Island, was a prison for confederate soldiers. It is known for its eerie dungeons. Andrew Lanier’s wife tried to rescue her husband from the prison, but her attempt failed. She dressed as a man to rescue him, but was caught then accidently shot and killed her husband. She was hanged for her crimes. It is said she roams the island in a black dress attempting to strangle people.

The Omni Parker House Hotel: The former hotel’s owner, Harvey Parker is said to haunt this hotel. They say he roams the halls on the tenth-floor annex.

Cutler-Majestic Theatre located on the grounds of Emerson College was built in 1903 and has four ghosts: A young child, a man reputed to be one of Boston’s former mayors, and a young couple. It is still a full functioning theatre and can be visited during normal operating hours.

Paul Revere’s home is a wooden house, with a projecting second story. Revere lived there during the 1770s, and owned the house until 1800. Many people claim that it is haunted.

My first post is: A is for April Fools’ Day.

Here’s the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants.

**Photos were taken on my holiday in Boston.