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India Wharf and India Street displayed the challenges of overwhelming commerce and a congested waterfront. This led to critical changes in the foundational elements of these buildings and the surrounding atmosphere. Before one can appreciate the development, it is important to digest the negative results of commerce and the challenges that eventually led to this change.
COMMERCE
The original India Wharf site was constructed in 1805. This area consisted of wide avenues that provided easy access to the waterfront. The strategic layout of the wharf led to a large increase in commerce.
In 1882, India Wharf and India Street benefited from the close location to the harbor; cruise ships became the main aspect of commerce.
BOOMING COMMERCE TO CHALLENGES
INDIA WHARF AND INDIA STREET FELL VICTIM TO A SERIES OF FIRES IN THE EARLY 1900s. AS A RESULT, THE ECSTATIC ATMOSPHERE OF A ONCE BOOMING COMMERCE CENTER WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME.
CHALLENGE
Following the successful years of commercial success, India Wharf and India Street faced a set of fires that devastated the area. India Wharf faced a large fire in 1938 with an estimated damage cost of $20,000. In 1955, once again, a fire sweeps India Wharf. This second fire required 300 firemen to extinguish it.
WAS THERE HOPE FOR REVIVAL?
CHANGE
In 1989, two business groups decided to join together to form a $1 billion project to revive the wharves. The attempts to revive the harbor by placing expensive condominiums with cold, restrictive atmospheres failed to provide enough excitement around India Wharf.
REFERENCES
Hanafin, Teresa M. 1989. A NEW VISION FOR BOSTON'S SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT: [THIRD EDITION]. Boston Globe (pre-1997 Full text), Oct 29, 1989.
Robert Campbell and, Peter Mandrake. "ON THE WATERFRONT; A SEA CHANGE FOR THE PORT OF BOSTON: [THIRD EDITION]." Boston Globe (Pre-1997 Full text), Oct 26, 1986.
TWO THREE-ALARM FIRES IN BOSTON: INDIA WHARF DAMAGE IS ESTIMATED AT $20,000. 1938. Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), Jun 18, 1938.
"IMPROVEMENTS AT INDIA WHARF.: NEW LEASE OF BUSINESS LIFE OF THE OLD BOSTON AND PORTLAND AND METROPOLLTAN LINES. A LONG LEASE OF THE ENTIRE SOUTH SIDE MR. WEEKS, THE AGENT," Boston Daily Globe (1872-1922), Jul 12, 1882.
Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator, and Charles Bulfinch. India Wharf Stores, 306-308 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Suffolk County, MA. Suffolk County Boston Massachusetts, 1933.
Hammond, James. "THE HISTORIC FLAVOR OF TODAY." Boston Globe (1960-1989), May 21, 1967.
"PORT OF BOSTON: STEAMER YARMOUTH TO SAIL FROM INDIA WHARF." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), Oct 20, 1938.
"TWO THREE-ALARM FIRES IN BOSTON: INDIA WHARF DAMAGE IS ESTIMATED AT $20,000." Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960), Jun 18, 1938.
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