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Beacon Hill

Boston’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood is a place frozen in time.

Beacon Hill is home to the Massachusetts State House and many historical landmarks, including the Boston African American National Historic Site. One of the oldest communities in the City gets its name from the beacon that once stood high on the hill to warn locals about invasions. It’s no surprise that Beacon Hill is a protected historic district.

To reach a neighborhood liaison for Beacon Hill, email contactons@boston.gov or call 617-635-3485.

Neighborhood features

Beacon Hill is about one square mile in size, and is surrounded by some well-known streets, including:

  • Beacon Street
  • Bowdoin Street
  • Cambridge Street, and
  • Storrow Drive.

Beacon Hill’s architecture and layout reflect old colonial Boston. Brick row houses feature ornate doors and decorative iron work. Its narrow streets are lined with brick sidewalks and gas lamps. Charles Street features antique shops and a variety of local restaurants and other businesses.

This quaint neighborhood was home to many famous Americans, including:

  • Louisa May Alcott
  • Oliver Wendell Holmes
  • Daniel Webster
  • Robert Frost
  • Sylvia Plath, and
  • Senator John Kerry.
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