PARK SQUARE CASTLE - BOSTON MA

The Boston Park Square Castle was built in 1891.  The structure was built initially as an Armory for the First Corps of Cadets, a Massachusetts based volunteer military organization established in 1741.  Most notably the Cadets were the original bodyguards for the Royal Governors of Massachusetts.  The three story Park Square Castle features a six-story hexagonal shaped tower and is the last example of a Victorian armory in the city.  Designed by William Gibbons Preston the castle is constructed from masonry granite and steel.  Architectural features include: a roof line which features hand cut crenels and a winged dragon carved into the main tower.  At the end of the 19th century the First Corps of Cadets focus turned to monitoring immigrant revolts and lower-class riots within the community.  As a result the armory began to serve as a defensive fortress along with storage of priceless items belonging to Boston’s elite.  Today the Park Square Castle is used as a convention venue.  The armory is listed with the National Register of Historic Places.  

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Thank you for reading.  Bob Cushing, rcushing77@yahoo.com

CITY OF BOSTON OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE

Every year Nova Scotia sends a Christmas tree to Boston as a thank you for aid provided in the aftermath of the 1917 Halifax Explosion.  The explosion was felt for miles, it triggered a tsunami devastating the waterfront.  The result was the biggest accidental explosion in world history killing 1,900 and wounded another 9,000 people.  Boston immediately sent a relief train with doctors, nurses and supplies to the devastated city upon hearing of the news.  The following year Halifax shipped a Christmas tree to the city of Boston as a token of gratitude and remembrance for the invaluable aid provided to the people of Nova Scotia.  The tree is the city’s official Christmas tree, annually arrives in Boston during the last week of November.  Post Thanksgiving a tree-lighting ceremony serves as an opportunity to remember the tragedy, and a celebration of Christmas and human fraternity.   

HARVARD (UNIVERSITY) STADIUM

A few blocks west of the main university campus is historic Harvard Stadium built in 1903.  With elements of Greek and Roman architecture the stadium’s shape is similar to the modern world’s first Olympic stadium.  The stadium construction came at a cost of $310,000, Harvard class of 1879 donated $100,000 towards the expense as a 25^th reunion gift.  The stadium's U-shaped horseshoe design was done to accommodate the Harvard track team, as track meets necessitated a 220-yard straightaway.  November 12, 1903, Dartmouth defeated Harvard in football 12 – 0 in the stadium’s inaugural event.  Harvard Stadium ranks among the nation’s finest college football facilities and is recognized as the nation’s oldest stadium.  The Boston (New England) played their home games here during the 1970 and 1971 seasons.  Harvard Stadium is one of four athletic stadiums designated as National Historic Landmarks.

Thank you for reading, your thoughts, feedback and suggestions are always valued.

Robert Cushing

SYMPHONY HALL

1893 urban expansion caused the Boston Symphony to relocate from their Boston Music Hall home.  The orchestra’s opened the newly constructed Symphony Hall October, 1900.  Symphony Hall is recognized as one of world’s top concert and the finest in America.  The auditorium has been cited as one of the best sounding classical concert venues in the world.  Beethoven is the only musicians name inscribed over the stage, as he was the only musician's the original directors could agree on.  Shoebox shaped, the hall is built of brick, plaster and steel.  Side balconies are shallow in depth and the low height ceiling is so designed not to trap any sound.  Detailed niches in the auditorium’s woodworking were done for beauty and to help distribute sound throughout the hall.  A collection of mythical Roman and Greek statues adorn the hall representing: art, literature and music.  Symphony Hall’s Aeolian Skinner organ is considered one of the finest concert hall organs in the world.  

Veteran Day - let us reflect, remember and never forget the true American heroes.    

From east to west and all through this great land, we salute past and present all the men and women who served are armed forces.  The men and women who have preserved our independence, fought for our freedom and who have selfishly put their country ahead of themselves.  Thank you to all the men and women of America's Armed Forces.  

Great Boston Fire

The Great Boston Fire started on November 9, 1872, in a warehouse on Summer Street.  The fire extended from the Boston Common to the waterfront.  Boston's largest urban fire, and remains as one of the most costly property losses in American history.  Raging across the heart of downtown Boston, the fire was finally contained after twelve hours.  Fire companies from across New England arrived carrying manpower and pumpers.  The single most instrumental piece of arsenal used to contain the blaze was the nation’s first self-propelled steamer from Manchester, NH.  Significant factors which contributed to the fire were: unenforced Boston building regulations, numerous commercial wooden structures several with oil soaked wooden floors and much of the affected neighborhood had old water pipes with very low pressure.  Rubble from the burnout neighborhoods was dumped in the harbor to build the present day Atlantic Avenue and expand the city southward.  

Boston MA - An American Classic

Boston, MA is one of the true gems in American history.  From day one to day present, Boston has evolved from a city of ingenuity to a city of innovation.  In my blog I will weekly celebrate the classic, the historical and the whimsical - on all things Boston Massachusetts.    I will share information, details and history about the "hub" or :"Beantown" if you prefer, on events and people which make this a world class city.