Downtown in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
School Street Political Life
January 27, 2023
1. School Street Political Life Marker
This site was the location of two Boston City Halls. Here, in 1810, the Suffolk County Court House was erected. In 1841, that courthouse was converted to Boston's second city hall. In 1865, it was replaced by Boston's third city hall, the building you see today on School Street. In 1969, Boston built its fourth city hall and vacated this School Street site.
Thirty-eight Boston mayors served their terms of office on School Street at this site over a period of one hundred and twenty-eight years. All twenty of the Democrat mayors adopted the donkey as their party's symbol, while only five of the ten Republican mayors utilized the elephant.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1810.
Location. 42° 21.468′ N, 71° 3.572′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from School Street west of City Hall Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:
this page online
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: The Democratic Donkey and the Republican Elephant (here, next to this marker); Josiah Quincy (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); Benjamin Franklin (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Boston Public Latin School (a few steps from this marker); Latin School (a few steps from this marker); The Parker House (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
January 27, 2023
2. School Street Political Life Marker
January 27, 2023
3. Dedication plaque on Old City Hall
January 27, 2023
4. Interpretive mural just inside of Old City Hall
January 27, 2023
5. National Historic Landmark plaque on Old City Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2023. This page has been viewed 299 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 30, 2023.
