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Beacon Hill



  

History


Beacon Hill is on of the oldest communities in Boston. The name comes for a beacon that once stood atop the hill in the neighborhood to warn locals about a foreign invasion. The Beacon was once located behind the Massachusetts State House but the hill has been substantially reduced over time in order to allow for development of housing in the area.

William Blaxton, the first European settler of Boston was the owner of the hill in the early 1600's but ultimately sold his land to the Puritans. During the 19th century, the south slope of Beacon Hill was socially desirable with the north slope being Black Beacon Hill, a speaking place for many famous black leaders including Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman. Beacon Hill was was one of the centers of the anti-slavery movement.

Beacon Hill has been home to some notable Americans including Louisa May Alcott and Senator John Kerry. A Pulitzer Prize winning novel called The Late George Apley was published in 1937 giving a satirical description of the upper class white residents of Beacon Hill. Beacon Hill is now a National Historic Landmark after being designated so on December 19, 1962.

Description


Beacon Hill is home to more than 26,000 residents and is regarded as one of the most desirable places to live in Boston. The neighborhood consists of Federal style rowhouses and is well known for it's narrow streets and brick sidewalks. Today, Beacon Hill is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Boston.

Located north of Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden, Beacon hill is bounded by Beacon Street to the south, Somerset Street on the east side and Cambridge Street and Stow Drive respectfully on the north and west sides. The Boston Common is also included in Beacon Hill as is the block that consists of Beacon, Tremont and Park streets. The area of land that is not located atop the hill is known locally as the “Flat of the Hill” and is also included in the Beacon Hill designation.

Residents


Beacon Hill residents are primarily white with a median household income of $80,420. This figure is slightly higher than the Boston annual median household income which is only $52,688. The neighborhood of Beacon Hill is split with a nearly equal ratio of men to women with an average median age of 35 years old.

Most residents of Beacon Hill carry a four year Bachelor's Degree with many also having a Master's Degree as well. The number of Beacon Hill residents with a professional school degree or a Doctorate degree is also higher than the percentage of Boston area residents with these same degrees.

Rental Housing


The median rent for Beacon Hill apartments and homes is $1,517 but rent can exceed $2,000 per month for some luxury style rentals in Beacon Hill. Beacon Hill apartment rentals and home rentals in Beacon Hill cater to all types of clients in various price ranges. This Boston neighborhood truly has something for everyone.

Fun Stuff


Beacon Hill is full of history and notable landmarks including Boston Common. Boston Common was created in 1634 and has since been a place to graze cattle, a stage for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a stage for Martin Luther King, Jr and even a stage for Pope John Paul II. Tree lined paths, broad lawns and ball fields line the south face of Beacon Hill. Additional attractions in Beacon Hill include the Frog Pond Skating Rink which is actually a water pool in the summer which turns into a 16,000 foot skating rink in the winter, the Massachusetts State House which is home to the Massachusetts General Court, Nichols House Museum and Axelle Fine Arts of Boston a gallery that features French contemporary art.