By Arielle Schaechter
When leaving Logan Airport and heading into Boston, the first portion of the trip is mainly the unappealing system of underground tunnels running through the city. But then you exit the tunnel onto the Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, and the monstrous TD Garden looms over you to the left, and the Bunker Hill Monument rises proudly out of the ground on your right.
Boston is full of important landmarks, ranging from Revolutionary-era ones like the Old North Church and the house of Paul Revere, to practical ones like Fenway Park. But we can’t forget those unofficial landmarks that make Boston, well, Boston, even if they aren’t as commonly know.
When leaving Logan Airport and heading into Boston, the first portion of the trip is mainly the unappealing system of underground tunnels running through the city. But then you exit the tunnel onto the Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, and the monstrous TD Garden looms over you to the left, and the Bunker Hill Monument rises proudly out of the ground on your right.
Boston is full of important landmarks, ranging from Revolutionary-era ones like the Old North Church and the house of Paul Revere, to practical ones like Fenway Park. But we can’t forget those unofficial landmarks that make Boston, well, Boston, even if they aren’t as commonly know.
Perhaps the most well known sign to Bostonians is the Citgo sign in Kenmore Square. The sign, which displays the Citgo logo does not look like something particularly special. It has a plain white background and red triangle in the middle. The word Citgo sits beneath the triangle. Of course it does light up at night, but still. Other signs do that too. The thing that is special about the Citgo sign is its history.
The first Citgo sign was built in 1940. It was replaced with the iconic one, the one that stands in Kenmore today, in 1965. In 1983, Citgo tried to remove its sign. But by that point, the people of Boston had grown attached to it, and protested heavily against its removal. They were rewarded with keeping the sign, though there were some renovations.
The sign sits as a backdrop to Fenway Park during Red Sox games, possibly part of the reason Bostonians love it. Or maybe its just because they’ve been around it so long. Whatever the reason may be, the Citgo sign will remain a part of Boston’s heart for as long as it stands.
The first Citgo sign was built in 1940. It was replaced with the iconic one, the one that stands in Kenmore today, in 1965. In 1983, Citgo tried to remove its sign. But by that point, the people of Boston had grown attached to it, and protested heavily against its removal. They were rewarded with keeping the sign, though there were some renovations.
The sign sits as a backdrop to Fenway Park during Red Sox games, possibly part of the reason Bostonians love it. Or maybe its just because they’ve been around it so long. Whatever the reason may be, the Citgo sign will remain a part of Boston’s heart for as long as it stands.
Another integral part of Boston is the Hatch Shell, the oldest unofficial landmark on this list. Most commonly known for hosting the Boston Pops Orchestra on the Fourth of July, the Hatch Shell was first built in 1928. It was redone and dedicated in 1941 and became today’s Hatch Shell.
Hatch Shell has been in the background of Boston for almost 100 years, hosting concerts and events. Although it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a landmark, it is the epicenter of all of Boston’s outdoor performances and open-air events and a special place in its history and its use.
Hatch Shell has been in the background of Boston for almost 100 years, hosting concerts and events. Although it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a landmark, it is the epicenter of all of Boston’s outdoor performances and open-air events and a special place in its history and its use.
When it comes to usefulness, the Prudential Tower is one of the most useful on this list. A part of the massive Prudential Center and affectionately know as the Pru, the Prudential Tower, built in 1964, was the tallest building in the world outside of New York at the time of its inception.
Now the second tallest building in Boston, the Prudential Tower has gained recognition for lighting up its windows in support of different local things, ranging from the Boston Bruins to the One Fund Boston, which helped victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Complete with an observation deck, the Prudential Tower can be seen towering over Boston from multiple places around the city, as if protecting its inhabitants.
Now the second tallest building in Boston, the Prudential Tower has gained recognition for lighting up its windows in support of different local things, ranging from the Boston Bruins to the One Fund Boston, which helped victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Complete with an observation deck, the Prudential Tower can be seen towering over Boston from multiple places around the city, as if protecting its inhabitants.
I mentioned the the Prudential Tower is now the second tallest building in Boston. So what is the first? That would be the John Hancock Tower, which may not be as close to the hearts of people in Boston as the Prudential Tower, but is a standout instead for its design.
Built 12 years after the Prudential Tower in 1976, the Hancock was the first building to be impressively built with an exterior entirely of reflective glass. Some engineering flaws allowed some glass panes to fall to the street while it was being built, but fortunately there have been no problems since it has been operational.
A beautiful sight, especially in sunny weather with blue skies, the Hancock is certainly something to admire and appreciate when in Boston.
Built 12 years after the Prudential Tower in 1976, the Hancock was the first building to be impressively built with an exterior entirely of reflective glass. Some engineering flaws allowed some glass panes to fall to the street while it was being built, but fortunately there have been no problems since it has been operational.
A beautiful sight, especially in sunny weather with blue skies, the Hancock is certainly something to admire and appreciate when in Boston.
Traveling back in time from the completion of the Hancock in 1976 we go to 1969, where we find the Bull and Finch Pub on Beacon Street. Speeding up to 1982 we find the exterior of the Bull and Finch Pub premiering on a new show called Cheers. Flash forward to 2002, and we no longer find the Bull and Finch Pub, but rather the renamed Cheers Beacon Hill.
A highly popular tourist destination, Cheers Beacon Hill is a bar and restaurant that garnered much attention for having its exterior used as the exterior of the fictional bar Cheers on a highly popular show. Unfortunately for tourists though, at Cheers Beacon Hill, everybody may not know your name. Not that that deters people from going.
A highly popular tourist destination, Cheers Beacon Hill is a bar and restaurant that garnered much attention for having its exterior used as the exterior of the fictional bar Cheers on a highly popular show. Unfortunately for tourists though, at Cheers Beacon Hill, everybody may not know your name. Not that that deters people from going.
While Cheers Beacon Hill is popular amongst adults, one unofficial landmark more familiar to the children of Boston would be the Hood Milk Bottle. The Hood Milk Bottle is a 40 foot tall milk bottle complete with an ice cream stand and snack bar. It stands on the Hood Milk Bottle plaza in front of the Boston Children’s Museum.
The Bottle, originally built in 1933, wasn’t bought by Hood until 1977, at which point it was renovated and donated to the Boston Children’s Museum. Not only can you buy ice cream from it, the museum often projects movies upon it. A Boston staple, the Hood Milk Bottle has delighted many a young child.
The Bottle, originally built in 1933, wasn’t bought by Hood until 1977, at which point it was renovated and donated to the Boston Children’s Museum. Not only can you buy ice cream from it, the museum often projects movies upon it. A Boston staple, the Hood Milk Bottle has delighted many a young child.
And of course, while on the topic of food, what list of landmarks is complete without a pastry shop. Enter Mike’s Pastry. Located in Boston’s North End, it became a hugely popular pastry shop after former President Bill Clinton stopped for a visit while on his campaign trail.
Since then, Mike’s has continued to be a destination, especially due to its famous line of cannoli. Opened over fifty years ago, Mike’s is the place for pastries in the North End, despite having much competition.
Finding places near and dear to the heart of a city isn’t the easiest thing to do, but its also not the hardest. All the places on this list were suggested by Bostonians who love their city and what brings it to life. These seven icons, while maybe not given landmark status in the eyes of the National Landmark Registry, sure do have it in the eyes of their people.
Since then, Mike’s has continued to be a destination, especially due to its famous line of cannoli. Opened over fifty years ago, Mike’s is the place for pastries in the North End, despite having much competition.
Finding places near and dear to the heart of a city isn’t the easiest thing to do, but its also not the hardest. All the places on this list were suggested by Bostonians who love their city and what brings it to life. These seven icons, while maybe not given landmark status in the eyes of the National Landmark Registry, sure do have it in the eyes of their people.