Downtown Crossing in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

The Parker House

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 27, 2023

1. The Parker House Marker

Inscription. One of Boston’s luxury hotels, opened by innovative hosteller Harvey Parker, the Parker House has been operating on this site since 1856. Parker introduced the European Plan, started the practice of scrod, the fresh white fish catch of the day. The fabled Parker House Roll and the Boston Cream Pie originated here.

Among the illustrious patrons of the Parker House were Charles Dickens, Ulysses S. Grant and John F. Kennedy. The members of The Saturday Club, a group of leading 19th century authors including Emerson, Lowell and Longfellow, gathered here.

Erected by The Bostonian Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #35 John F. Kennedy series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 42° 21.466′ N, 71° 3.594′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Downtown Crossing. It is at the intersection of School Street and Province Street, on the right when traveling east on School Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boston MA 02108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Historic Boston. It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Public Latin School (here, next to this marker); Latin School

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(a few steps from this marker); Boston Public Latin School (a few steps from this marker); Electric Fire Alarm System, 1852 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Boston Public Latin School (a few steps from this marker); King's Chapel (a few steps from this marker); Omni Hotels: The Parker House (a few steps from this marker); School Street Political Life (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Welcome to Boston's Old City Hall (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Markers on School Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009

2. Markers on School Street

Two markers are found at this location. The reflection of Boston's Old City Hall (1865 - 1969) located across the street from the marker can be seen in this photo.

Boston Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2009

3. Boston Markers

The Parker House marker can be seen on the left of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,319 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 30, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3. submitted on May 1, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.