Walking Tour of Boston's Bay Village October 25, 2009

Boston By Foot. Visit one of Boston's hidden neighborhoods; a miniature, garden-filled area that has maintained its residential charm amidst the surrounding city.

The Bay Village tour begins in Park Plaza, overlooking the renaissance and classical revival buildings constructed on the site of the old Boston & Providence Railroad and also features the First Corps of Cadets Armory and the Pope Manufacturing Building.

Originally called the Bay Street District, Bay Village was created by the filling of the mud flats leading into the Back Bay during the 1820s and settled by artisans and craftsman, many of whom worked on the homes of Beacon Hill and the South End. The scaled-down brick Federal and Greek Revival row houses contribute to the sense of a small community within a larger urban environment.

In the early 20th century, Bay Village was the center of the New England film industry and was known as “Hollywood East” during a time when many actors and musicians of the Theatre District resided there. The Cocoanut Grove, a local nightclub and former speakeasy, burned in a fire killing 492 people becoming the second worst single-building fire in U.S. history.

Explore the history and architecture of Bay Village, a small harmonious neighborhood alongside Boston's growing skyline.

Boston By Foot walking tours showcase the history & architecture of Boston. See www.bostonbyfoot.org for more information, many more tour offerings, scheduling private tours, or becoming a member for discount pricing.

Tour starts promptly at the designated time. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the tour to purchase your tickets from the guides.

Official Website: http://www.bostonbyfoot.org/tours/Bay_Village