FROM TOWN TO CITY: 1800 - 1840
During this time period, the old town of Boston first emerged as a true city. Boston became a center of commerce as its port peaked in importance and its industrial sector emerged. Immigrants inundated the city from the New England countryside, Canada, Germany, Ireland, and elsewhere (Carver, 1834). The city population quadrupled in size during this timespan. In order to deal with the massive growth at a time before mass transit or automobiles, Boston made new land in its bays and harbor, and ultimately created new strategies for redeveloping urban land.
PEOPLE:Yankees, first-non Yankee immigrants
|
PLACE:Gradual growth, land-making,
early transportation infrastructure |
ECONOMY:Sea trade, manufacturing
|
PLANNING:Private enterprise with
emerging role for government |
PEOPLE
Broad Street Riot
During the early period of the 19th century, Boston grew from a town roughly 25,000 people to a city of nearly 100,000 (Carver, 1834). The Industrial Revolution grew American cities as workers left the countryside and arrived from abroad to expand urban factories. In 1800, Boston was the 4th largest city in America (US Census Bureau). Boston’s ethnic character began to change during this era, with the arrival of Irish immigrants. The huge influx of Irish immigrants settled between 1845 and 1851, but the Irish community began to take root, which was evident through the city’s first Catholic church, burial ground, and newspaper. Yankees and Irish clashed, which led to the Broad Street riot. Tensions rose and the immigrant community grew. By the end of this era, Boston was more than one-quarter foreign-born. Boston’s small African-American community on Beacon Hill strengthened during this time period as well.
PLACE
Boston had depended on land-making in its harbor and coves to support the growth of its port economy. Land-making expanded Boston’s waterfronts downtown and by the end of this era, Boston filled land in order to create space for city building activities, including a public market, commercial districts, and several residential districts. The city also expanded its physical area by annexing South Boston from Dorchester.
The city expanded its transportation infrastructure during this era as technologies shifted how people and goods moved. Many bridges were also beginning to be built. Later in this era, the new technology of railroads stopped other canal projects from coming to fruition. Some bridges served the new railroads, but most bridges connected settlements in and around Boston across rivers and bays.
The city expanded its transportation infrastructure during this era as technologies shifted how people and goods moved. Many bridges were also beginning to be built. Later in this era, the new technology of railroads stopped other canal projects from coming to fruition. Some bridges served the new railroads, but most bridges connected settlements in and around Boston across rivers and bays.
ECONOMY
Initially, Boston’s economy continued to depend on the ocean, but a change in roles was starting to take place. Boston was distancing itself as a city that depended on fishing, and was now becoming a commercial trade powerhouse. Boston was the primary port for imports to and exports from the growing industrial cities and towns throughout New England (Carver, 1834). Manufacturing also grew in Boston, especially in industries serving shipping such as rope production and shipbuilding. By the later half of this era, textiles and manufacturing replaced commerce as the city’s economic driver. Outside influences caused economic shifts that challenged Boston’s economy, especially in shipping. The Embargo Act during the War of 1812 deprived Boston of its rich trade with Britain, and it shifted trade to the US South and the Caribbean (City of Boston, 2013).
PLANNING
Private enterprise addressed the needs of the city, in the first decades of the 19th century. Boston dealt with the drastic changes in economy, growth, and diversification, by adopting a city form of government in 1822 (City of Boston, 2013). The new city’s 2nd mayor, Josiah Quincy III, seized upon the power of the new municipal structure to stimulate more growth and infrastructure development (City of Boston, 2013). Quincy carried out the city’s first urban renewal projects, demolishing obsolete structures for new buildings and expanded streets. The Faneuil Hall Marketplace was the city’s first major renewal project. Quincy successfully coordinated land acquisitions through purchase and eminent domain, demolition, landfill in the cove, design of the new market buildings, marketing and sale of the parcels to developers, all while facing criticism from his peers over the idea of public involvement in such a project (Fisher, 1992). Despite criticism, Quincy’s success led to the expansion of the public role in planning.