Off the Bricks

Banned in Boston · STOP 04 · Government Center

The Old Howard began as a church for people expecting the end of the world, and ended in 1953 when the vice squad brought a film camera.

Scollay Square's most famous burlesque house was built by a sect expecting the end of the world. In 1953 Boston police filmed its show in secret, and the city shut it by Christmas. Then the city flattened the whole square. A city marker at Court and Tremont explains what used to be there, and it doesn't leave much out.

This is stop 4 of Banned in Boston. Walk it - any two stops are free.

The plate

The Vice Squad's Home Movie

Collected on site

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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Court Street at Tremont Street, Government Center (near 1 Cambridge St)
Directions

1

Ann Corio, a burlesque star here, was 'a favorite among Harvard undergrads,' per the Mass Memories Road Show. Abbott and Costello played the Old Howard too.

More footnotes on the story card, in the app.

Argue about it

Did somebody burn down the Old Howard?

Both sides, with their sources, are on the story card in the app.

Censorship, Legend busted, Then and now, Plaque hunt

In these collections: Legends Busted

Near Government Center · Near State · Near Bowdoin · Near Downtown Crossing · Near Haymarket · Near Park Street

Sources (9)