Financial District in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

U.S. Custom House

A Designated Boston Landmark

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2017

1. U.S. Custom House Marker

Inscription.

For more than 30 years the tallest building on the Boston skyline, the Custom House is a tangible reminder of the importance of the sea in the city’s economy and history. Here duties were collected and maritime business conducted as Boston clipper ships circled the world.

The 1847 Greek Revival structure with monolithic Quincy granite columns was designed by Ammi Burnham Young. In 1915 it was surmounted by Peabody & Stearns’ 495 foot Classical Revival-style tower.

Erected by Boston Landmarks Commission, City of Boston and The Bostonian Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 42° 21.556′ N, 71° 3.213′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in the Financial District. Marker is at the intersection of State Street and Commercial Street, on the left when traveling west on State Street. The marker is a green metal plaque mounted at eye-level on the State Street side of the subject Custom House building. Marker is near the northeast corner of the building, where Commercial Street dead-ends at State Street. 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

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walking distance of this marker. Custom House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Custom House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Waterfront Then and Now / The Custom House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Continental Wingate Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Bill Rodgers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Arnold "Red" Auerbach (about 300 feet away); Larry "Legend" Bird (about 300 feet away); Flour and Grain Exchange (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Regarding U.S. Custom House. The U.S. 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. U.S. Custom House - Boston Landmarks Commission Study Report.
(Link contains details about the history and architecture of the building, as well as exterior and interior pictures showing changes through the years.)
In 1912, construction began on the 495 foot tower; it was completed in 1915. At the time, Boston had a zoning ordinance restricting the height of buildings to 125 feet. The new tower, however, became the

U.S. Custom House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 14, 2021

2. U.S. Custom House and Marker

city’s first skyscraper because the local zoning restriction did not apply to properties owned by the federal government. (Submitted on March 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. U.S. Custom House, 1847 & 1913.
The Custom House was Boston's first skyscraper. The building was initially completed in 1847, with the twenty-six floor tower added in 1913. The original design was that of a Greek temple, with Doric columns on all four sides, and a large domed roof. Before land reclamation was done in the mid-1800s, Boston's waterfront had extended right to this building. It is built on about 3,000 piles, fully secured against decay; the construction throughout is fire proof and of the very best kind. (Submitted on March 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

<i>Custom House, Boston, Mass.</i> - prior to the addition of the tower image. Click for full size.

circa 1910

3. Custom House, Boston, Mass. - prior to the addition of the tower

<i>Custom House, Boston, Mass.</i> - after the addition of the tower image. Click for full size.

Postcard published by United Art Card Co., Boston, Mass., circa 1930

4. Custom House, Boston, Mass. - after the addition of the tower

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 290 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on June 30, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3, 4. submitted on March 26, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.