Off the Bricks

The 1852 Hunt · STOP 09 · Financial District

The half-built post office stopped the fire's run to the northeast, and the square in front was named for it.

In 1872 Boston's half-built post office stood in the Great Fire's way, and its granite walls are credited with stopping the fire's run to the northeast. That night the postmaster was knocked flat by a gunpowder charge that went off early. The square in front was named for the building. The building is gone. The square, with a garage under it, is not.

Engraving, 'The new post-office, Boston, Mass. A. B. Mullett, architect,' 1874 - the building that survived the fire's edge, as completed.
Robert Bond, 'The new post-office, Boston, Mass.,' 1874. Boston Public Library, Arts Department, via Digital Commonwealth.

This is stop 9 of The 1852 Hunt. Walk it free in the app.

The plate

The Post Office Barrier

Collected on site

01020304050607080910111213
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Post Office Square, Congress and Milk Streets
Directions

1

The old post office wore a mansard roof - the style the inquiry kept blaming. One witness told the commission its 'upper Mansard part' was to be filled with mortar and arches.

More footnotes on the story card, in the app.

Architecture, Underground, Hidden in plain sight

In these collections: Under Your Feet

Near Downtown Crossing · Near State · Near Government Center · Near South Station · Near Aquarium · Near Park Street

Sources (8)