Financial District in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Custom House
Waterfront
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2017
1. Custom House Marker
Built on the water's edge at the foot of State Street between 1837 and 1847, the Custom House was a focal point of Boston's old water-front. It was a controversial building in its day. Critics thought its Greek Revival style was old-fashioned, and its 32 columns, each a single 42-ton piece of granite, too ponderous. Others, including the architect Ammi Young, thought these same features well suited to the site.
In 1911, an added tower made the Custom House Boston's first skyscraper and an excellent place to enjoy a panorama of the harbor.
Erected by Boston 200. (Marker Number WF04.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 42° 21.545′ N, 71° 3.228′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in the Financial District. Marker is on India Street north of Central Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the India Street entrance to the Custom House building. Marker is a metal plaque mounted on the north (right-hand) post at the base of the entry staircase. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 34 India Street, Boston MA 02109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker
this page online
Regarding Custom House. The Custom House is the centerpiece and name sake of the National Register Custom House District (1973). Also National Register of Historic Places (1973) and Boston Landmark by the Boston Landmarks Commission (1986).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. U.S. Custom House
Also see . . .
1. Custom House District.
Consisting of 70 buildings and sites on 15.9 acres in downtown Boston, the Custom House District is a collection of 19th-century mercantile buildings in addition to many well-preserved skyscrapers dating from the first half of the 20th century. The U.S. Custom House, the building for which the district is named, is located in McKinley
Photographed By Homan's Sketches of Boston, 1851
2. Marker detail: 1851 sketch, drawn from the water side of the newly-built Custom House
2. Boston Custom House.
The Custom House in Boston, Massachusetts, was established in the 17th century and stood near the waterfront in several successive locations through the years. In 1849 the U.S. federal government constructed a neoclassical building on State Street; it remains the "Custom House" known to Bostonians today. The site on State Street was purchased by the federal government on September 13, 1837. Construction of a custom house was authorized by U.S. President Andrew Jackson. When it was completed in 1849, it cost about $1,076,000. (Submitted on March 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2017
3. Custom House (1911 tower)
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 14, 2021
4. Custom House and Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2017
5. Custom House (top of marker visible on left-hand post at base of staircase, below flower pot)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on June 30, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 5. submitted on March 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
