104-136 BROAD ST.
A street defined by its Yankee vs Irish competition and violence, the creation of Boston Fire Department and Boston Police Department, and its role in global trade via Rowe's Wharf and India Wharf
Cameron L.
Experiment with Atlascope and Explore Broad Street Over the Years
With properties changing hands between family members, plots being being sold, bought, and rented, wharf proprietors laying claim to a street corner, and nearly the entire street being owned by the bank or the city by 1938, there is much to learn about along Broad Street over the years.
How a Street Fight Formed the Modern Day BFD and BPD
An alcohol-aided altercation between members of Fire Engine Company 20 and an Irish funeral procession for right of way down Broad Street escalates to include 800 brawlers and nearly 10,000 witnesses and enthusiasts gather to watch and encourage. Within a year, Mayor Samuel Eliot announces all Boston Fire Departments will have fully-paid, full-time workers and establishes a similar fully-paid, full-time police force to replace militias.
Rowe's Wharf and India Wharf: The Financial District's Connection to the World of Trade
These 2 historic wharves served as crucial ports in the international trading industry and were the major connection to the East Indies in New England. After decades as major shipping hubs, both wharves experienced a steep decline in usage as shipping channels changed and both ports eventually ceased trading. In the 1980s, entirely new buildings were constructed on the grounds of the former wharves which revitalized the district and helped make it as popular and enjoyable as it is today.
Sources
Maps
Hopkins, Griffith Morgan Jr. Atlas of the County of Suffolk, Massachusetts. Philadelphia : G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1874. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston, Mass. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co., 1888. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston, Boston Proper. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co., 1898. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co., 1917. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co., 1922. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.Bromley, George Washington. Atlas of the City of Boston. Philadelphia: G.W. Bromley & Co., 1938. Boston Public Library, via Atlascope.Newspaper Articles (click article titles for link to full article)
"RECEIVED GEN JACKSON.: Men Of The Fire Department Formed A Line. Made A Double Row Across Common Through Which He Passed. How A Fire Company Mixed Up With A Funeral On Broad St. Broad St Riot." Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922), Apr 23, 1900. "YE OLD TIME FIRE LADDIES.: Reminiscences Of Gray- Haired Veterans. Scenes And Incidents At The Fearful Riot On Old Broad Street. How The Firemen Aided The Mayor In Exterminating Pest Holes." Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922), Sep 12, 1887. "THE RIOT AT BOSTON.: From The Boston Courier Of Tuesday." Niles' Weekly Register (1814-1837), Jun 24, 1837.Research and Research Tools
“1837 – The Broad Street Riot: Fueled by ethnic tensions between Yankees and Irish.” Stair na hÉirea. Accessed 05 May 2021. Irish Boston Blogger. “On this Day: Boston Volunteer Firemen Attack Irish Funeral Procession in 1837” Irish Boston History & Heritage. 12 June 2018. Accessed 06 May 2021. MassHumanities Staff. “June 11, 1837 - Firemen and Irish Clash in Boston Riot.” MassMoments. Accessed 05 May 2021. Atlascope: https://atlascope.leventhalmap.org/#view:address-search-barAncestry Heritage Quest: https://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/HQADigital Commonwealth: https://www.digitalcommonwealth.orgProQuest: https://www.proquest.com/City of Boston Archives: https://cityofboston.access.preservica.com