Buildings and Landmarks of Old Boston: A Guide to the Colonial, Provincial, Federal, and Greek Revival Periods, 1630-1850

by Howard S. Andros

This is a book for Boston visitors interested in the architecture and character of the pre-modern era, as well as for armchair historians desiring a quick but fascinating version of the first two centuries of Boston history. Divided into four periods -- Colonial, Provincial, Federal, and Greek Revival -- the book presents 57 buildings extant in the 1960s.

For each building, in addition to a concise verbal description of its history and function, Howard S. Andros supplies a detailed drawing conveying its character and its form. Maps of downtown Boston and the greater Boston area pinpoint each site's location. The remains of a vibrant older city, increasingly hidden amid today's massive urban reconstruction projects, come alive again in The Buildings and Landmarks of Old Boston.

Genres: Architecture

197 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is, if you will, cute as a button. This is a brief history of extant Boston buildings and other constructs from the earliest colonial days through the Greek Revival period. The author provides a brief history of the buildings including related historical happenings and, in a number of cases, the forces that converged to save the structures from impending developer-doom. I would normally criticize the dearth of accompanying images for buildings that have undergone various transformations, but as the author actually drew the very atmospheric sketches (one for each structure, with a couple exceptions) I have no qualms. This is a great primer for the neophyte of ye olde Boston.

[Reagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good very basic history/synopsis of the major landmark buildings of Boston. Good for someone like me who knows next to nothing of what I'm supposed to know...