Strange Boston

Weird Boston Attractions & Obscure Events

Big Dig - A $14 billion tunnel system replaced the decrepit old Central Artery elevated highway. It paid for itself with reduced commute times, but is ridiculed due to leaks and quality control issues.

District: Waterfront

Berkeley Weather Beacon - The old John Hancock Tower in the Back Bay has a large tower on its roof. Blue and Red lights on this mast are used to signal local weather conditions.

District: Back Bay

Boston Pilgrims Did Exist - In 1907, the Red Sox were nicknamed the Boston Pilgrims due to a poem and hope for the upcoming season. The Red Sox were never officially named Pilgrims, although this myth is now in the history books.

Broad Street Riot - In 1837, an Irish-American funeral procession crossed paths with an English-American fire brigade, and a huge riot ensued. The militia was called up to restore the peace.

District: Financial

Citgo Sign - This iconic sign was saved from demolition in the 1970s, and is considered to be a form of modern art. It appears over the left field wall at Fenway Park at every Red Sox game.

District: Kenmore Square

Colonial Witches - The first execution in English America for the crime of being a witch occurred at Boston in 1648. Margaret Jones had prepared herbal remedies, and was later hanged as a witch.

District: South End

Damnation Alley - Change Alley was only 7-feet wide. Peddlers with pushcarts would enter at both ends and confront each other in the middle. The frequent cursing inspired this nickname.

District: Financial

Darth Vader Building - One Exeter Plaza was constructed in 1984. The building's tall mansard roof and dominating appearance inspired this dark nickname.

District: Back Bay

Federal Street Riot
First UFO Sighting
First USO Sighting
Government Center
Giant Tea Kettle
Grasshopper-napping
Grave Plundering
Kaiser in Adams Square
Leif Erikson Statue
Plywood Palace
Pregnant Building
Rainbow Swash
Sacred Cod
Scarlett O'Hara House
Skinny House
Smoot's Bridge
Thirteen Foot House
Walkway of the Running Stars

Boston Folklore

Cow Paths
Mother Goose
Scarlet Letter Marker

Strange New England

Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast
Governor Bellingham Marries Himself
Gloucester Sea Serpent, 1818
Nahant Sea Serpent
New Haven UFO, 1647
Mount Desert Sea Serpent
UFO Scare of 1897

Other

Led Zeppelin Ticket Riot, 1975
Green Day Riot, 1994
Courtney Love Rant, 1994

 

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