History of Primus Avenue

Our Buildings / Avenue's History

This part of Beacon Hill was first described in maps in 1733.

In the 1840's, Primus Avenue was called Wilberforce Place after the Wilberforce Colony of free blacks in Canada, named in honor of British anti-slavery advocate William Wilberforce.

It is believed that it was re-named Primus Avenue around 1860, in honor of Primus Hall, a soap boiler who once lived on the avenue now named for him. Primus was a free black man, the son of Prince Hall, who established a separate black Freemason Lodge when blacks were not allowed in the "regular" lodges. Prince Hall Masons are still active across the nation. As black children were often poorly treated in white schools, Primus started a school for black children in his attic or basement around 1796.

During the mid-1920's, Elliot Henderson, a real-estate developer, renovated the avenue. Boston Theatre architect Clarence Blackall (architect for the Wang Center for Performing Arts) landscaped this alley and reportedly designed its distinctive gate. He also re-designed the Primus #7 building and is listed as the architect of record in blueprints from this period.

Primus Avenue became a condominium complex in 1985. The building was re-partitioned into 31 separate condominiums, varying in size from studios to 3 bedrooms. There are very few units in the association that are the same.

The gate call box and original locking mechanism was added in 1991 to help with security. The gate was redesigned with the much improved locking mechanism in 2005 and upgraded again in 2018. A beautiful sign was also added, designed and created by Angus MacLeod, resident of Primus #7, at this time and still is today.

The farthest two courtyard gaslights were added in 2003-2004. This now allowed for the use of the courtyard at night as well as provided additional security. All gas lights are maintained and operated by the City of Boston.

Our Namesake: Primus Hall

Primus Hall was a free black man, son of Prince Hall, who established a separate black Freemason Lodge when blacks were not allowed in the "regular" lodges. Prince Hall Masons are still active across the nation.

Primus was a soap-boiler, who lived there on the Avenue now named for him (it had previously been named Wilberforce Place for the British Abolitionist).

The Mass. constitution has a strong commitment to public education, but when black kids went to the white schools, they were often poorly treated by both students and teachers. The black community petitioned for a separate school for their children, over the course of at least two decades. Nothing happened. So, finally, Primus, started a school in his attic or basement. This was about 1796 or so.

The school had to be closed for about three years, because of an outbreak of yellow fever. It was opened after that in a carpenter shop, which I believe was located in the present location of Apartment 2A, on Holmes Alley, just behind the African Meeting House.

The school was moved to the basement of the Meeting House, in 1808, and remained there until 1835, when the present Smith School was built. In 1812 the city began to give support to the school, and so it became the first in the nation publicly supported school only for blacks.

When the state legislature passed a law "integrating" all schools in Boston, the Smith School went out of existence.

[as provided by Horace Seldon, ranger on the Black Heritage Trail]