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110-709: The Bethlehem Waterworks , also known as the Old Waterworks or 1762 Waterworks , is believed to be the oldest pump-powered public water supply in what is now the United States. The pumphouse, which includes original and replica equipment, is located in the Colonial Industrial Quarter of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania , between Monocacy Creek and Main Street. It was declared a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1971, an American Water Landmark in 1971, and

220-664: A National Historic Landmark in 1981. The building is a contributing property to the Historic Moravian Bethlehem District , which was designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 2012 and later named to the U.S. Tentative List in 2016 for nomination to the World Heritage List . The first waterworks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania was designed and built by millwright Hans Chistoph Christensen from Denmark in 1755 to more efficiently bring water from

330-450: A collecting tower where Central Moravian Church now stands. The water flowed from the tower into five locations on the hillside for use by the community. It stands today essentially unchanged from its original form with the stone structure, wheel pit, and pump area still intact. It underwent restoration in 1972 in which the building, waterwheel, and pumping mechanism were restored using original 18th century master craftsmen's drawings found in

440-666: A crowd that had started to violently harass them. The colonists compelled the British to withdraw their troops. The event was widely publicized and fueled a revolutionary movement in America. In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act . Many of the colonists saw the act as an attempt to force them to accept the taxes established by the Townshend Acts . The act prompted the Boston Tea Party , where

550-473: A dig at the site. The Smithy complex, located adjacent to the Pottery ruin along Main Street, was constructed in 1750 and later expanded in 1761. The complex consisted of workrooms and forges for the nailsmith, locksmith, blacksmith, tinsmith, gunsmith, and gunstock maker with blacksmithing operations continuing until around 1829. The original Smithy complex was dismantled and converted into brownstone dwellings in

660-462: A female householder with no husband present, and 54.0% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 3.08. The median household income in Boston was $ 51,739, while the median income for a family was $ 61,035. Full-time year-round male workers had

770-513: A few yards east of the oil and bark mill, whither the spring water was led by a conduit into a cistern. The pump was made of lignum vitae (a hard and heavy tropical wood), the cylinder being five inches in diameter. The water was forced through wooden pipes up the hill into a wooden reservoir or distributing tank built within the little square, the site now occupied by the Moravian Church. The pipes were bored hemlock logs which had been floated down

880-655: A group of angered Bostonians threw an entire shipment of tea sent by the East India Company into Boston Harbor . The Boston Tea Party was a key event leading up to the revolution, as the British government responded furiously with the Coercive Acts , demanding compensation for the destroyed tea from the Bostonians. This angered the colonists further and led to the American Revolutionary War . The war began in

990-477: A growing community, the log structures were replaced by larger limestone buildings during the late 1740s through the early 1770s. By the mid-1750s the number of trades had grown to approximately 50, making it the largest concentration of industries in the American Colonies of the time. When John Adams visited this community, he called Bethlehem a “ curious and remarkable town ” stating to his wife Abigail in

1100-461: A letter (April 1777) that “ They have carried the mechanical Arts to greater Perfection here than in any Place which I have seen …They have a fine sett of Mills. The best Grist Mills and bolting Mills, that are anywhere to be found. The best fulling Mills, an oil Mill, a Mill to grind Bark for the Tanyard, a Dying House where All Colours are dyed, Machines for shearing Cloth .” By the mid-1800s, many of

1210-408: A median income of $ 52,544 versus $ 46,540 for full-time year-round female workers. The per capita income for the city was $ 33,158. 21.4% of the population and 16.0% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total population, 28.8% of those under the age of 18 and 20.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Boston has a significant racial wealth gap with White Bostonians having

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1320-403: A million residents, and the most densely populated state capital. Some 1.2 million persons may be within Boston's boundaries during work hours, and as many as 2 million during special events. This fluctuation of people is caused by hundreds of thousands of suburban residents who travel to the city for work, education, health care, and special events. In the city, 21.9% of the population

1430-454: A municipal water supply as early as 1652, but it was only powered by gravity . This European style of technology for municipal water distribution was not matched in America until the Philadelphia water system was completed in 1801. Archaeological studies were conducted at the waterworks site in 1964 and 1972. In 1972 the building, the waterwheel, and the pumping mechanism were restored using

1540-468: A pair of bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon , killing three people and injuring roughly 264. The subsequent search for the bombers led to a lock-down of Boston and surrounding municipalities. The region showed solidarity during this time as symbolized by the slogan Boston Strong . In 2016, Boston briefly shouldered a bid as the U.S. applicant for the 2024 Summer Olympics . The bid

1650-445: A plan to make portable fortifications out of wood that could be erected on the frozen ground under cover of darkness. Putnam supervised this effort, which successfully installed both the fortifications and dozens of cannons on Dorchester Heights that Henry Knox had laboriously brought through the snow from Fort Ticonderoga . The astonished British awoke the next morning to see a large array of cannons bearing down on them. General Howe

1760-547: A project to improve the historic West End neighborhood. Extensive demolition was met with strong public opposition, and thousands of families were displaced. The BRA continued implementing eminent domain projects, including the clearance of the vibrant Scollay Square area for construction of the modernist style Government Center . In 1965, the Columbia Point Health Center opened in the Dorchester neighborhood,

1870-463: A state of defence, that I could promise myself little success in attacking them under all the disadvantages I had to encounter. Many crucial events of the American Revolution occurred in or near Boston. The then-town's mob presence, along with the colonists' growing lack of faith in either Britain or its Parliament , fostered a revolutionary spirit there. When the British parliament passed

1980-763: A variety of products making Bethlehem nearly self-sufficient.” The first workshops of the Colonial Industrial Quarter were initially built as small log structures. By 1743 the Moravians built a saw mill, soap mill, wash houses, grist mill, oil mill, tannery, blacksmith shop, and brass foundry. By 1747, thirty-five crafts, trades, and industries were established including butchery, tawery, clockmaker, tinsmith, nailor, pewterer, hatter, spinning, weaving, cooper, dye house, community bakery, candlemaker, linen bleachery, fulling mill, saddlery, tailor, cobbler, flax processing, wheelwright, carpenter, and mason. To compensate for

2090-401: A violent tornado , the city itself has experienced many tornado warnings . Damaging storms are more common to areas north, west, and northwest of the city. See or edit raw graph data . In 2020, Boston was estimated to have 691,531 residents living in 266,724 households —a 12% population increase over 2010. The city is the third-most densely populated large U.S. city of over half

2200-502: Is 2 °F (−17 °C) on December 30, 1917, while the record warm daily minimum is 83 °F (28 °C) on both August 2, 1975 and July 21, 2019. Boston averages 43.6 in (1,110 mm) of precipitation a year, with 49.2 in (125 cm) of snowfall per season. Most snowfall occurs from mid-November through early April, and snow is rare in May and October. There is also high year-to-year variability in snowfall; for instance,

2310-508: Is July, with a mean temperature of 74.1 °F (23.4 °C). The coldest month is January, with a mean temperature of 29.9 °F (−1.2 °C). Periods exceeding 90 °F (32 °C) in summer and below freezing in winter are not uncommon but tend to be fairly short, with about 13 and 25 days per year seeing each, respectively. Sub- 0 °F (−18 °C) readings usually occur every 3 to 5 years. The most recent sub- 0 °F (−18 °C) reading occurred on February 4, 2023, when

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2420-540: Is an intellectual, technological, and political center. However, it has lost some important regional institutions, including the loss to mergers and acquisitions of local financial institutions such as FleetBoston Financial , which was acquired by Charlotte -based Bank of America in 2004. Boston-based department stores Jordan Marsh and Filene's have both merged into the New York City –based Macy's . The 1993 acquisition of The Boston Globe by The New York Times

2530-428: Is at a higher elevation owing to the sloping terrain; it provides access to a storage area on the upper level, while the other two provide access to the mechanisms on the inside. The machinery includes a replica waterwheel, reproduced from the original master craftsman's drawings which were preserved. In colonial Bethlehem, water power replaced human and horse power. The wheel was originally turned by water supplied from

2640-478: Is believed to have said that the Americans had done more in one night than his army could have done in six months. The British Army attempted a cannon barrage for two hours, but their shot could not reach the colonists' cannons at such a height. The British gave up, boarded their ships, and sailed away. This has become known as " Evacuation Day ", which Boston still celebrates each year on March 17. After this, Washington

2750-462: Is bordered to the east by the town of Winthrop and the Boston Harbor Islands , to the northeast by the cities of Revere , Chelsea and Everett , to the north by the cities of Somerville and Cambridge , to the northwest by Watertown , to the west by the city of Newton and town of Brookline , to the southwest by the town of Dedham and small portions of Needham and Canton , and to

2860-632: Is currently awaiting restoration. Outside the Miller's House is the Miller's House Garden, patterned on a Germanic four-square plan from 1870. The garden contains period flora such as vintage roses and herbs and is cared for by the Bethlehem Garden Club . Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States . The city serves as

2970-592: Is in Roxbury . Due north of the center we find the South End. This is not to be confused with South Boston which lies directly east from the South End. North of South Boston is East Boston and southwest of East Boston is the North End Boston has an area of 89.63 sq mi (232.1 km ). Of this area, 48.4 sq mi (125.4 km ), or 54%, of it is land and 41.2 sq mi (106.7 km ), or 46%, of it

3080-510: Is left of the building originally constructed in 1752, with only the foundation walls extant. Illustrations from the 18th century show a two-story building that acted as a slaughter house, providing meat for the community and hides for the Tannery next door. It was converted into a laundry and cleaning business by the early 20th century and was later torn down as part of the Urban Renewal project in

3190-440: Is located in the floodplain of Monocacy Creek in the Colonial Industrial Quarter , an important part of the historic district of Bethlehem. It is a 2-1/2 story building, built out of limestone rubble, that is about 24 feet (7.3 m) square and covered by a red tile roof. It is set over an otherwise open holding pit, which was originally fed by a wood-lined trench from a nearby spring. There are doors on three sides, one of which

3300-549: Is water. The city's elevation, as measured at Logan International Airport , is 19 ft (5.8 m) above sea level . The highest point in Boston is Bellevue Hill at 330 ft (100 m) above sea level, and the lowest point is at sea level. The city is adjacent to Boston Harbor , an arm of Massachusetts Bay , and by extension, the Atlantic Ocean. Boston is surrounded by the Greater Boston metropolitan region. It

3410-491: The Battle of Bunker Hill . The British army outnumbered the militia stationed there, but it was a pyrrhic victory for the British because their army suffered irreplaceable casualties. It was also a testament to the skill and training of the militia, as their stubborn defense made it difficult for the British to capture Charlestown without suffering further irreplaceable casualties. Several weeks later, George Washington took over

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3520-566: The Boston Garden opening in 1928. Logan International Airport opened on September 8, 1923. Boston went into decline by the early to mid-20th century, as factories became old and obsolete and businesses moved out of the region for cheaper labor elsewhere. Boston responded by initiating various urban renewal projects, under the direction of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) established in 1957. In 1958, BRA initiated

3630-601: The Boston Public Library , Trinity Church, single-family homes and wooden/brick multi-family row houses. The South End Historic District is the largest surviving contiguous Victorian-era neighborhood in the US. The geography of downtown and South Boston was particularly affected by the Central Artery/Tunnel Project (which ran from 1991 to 2007, and was known unofficially as the " Big Dig "). That project removed

3740-508: The Boston Tea Party (1773), Paul Revere's Midnight Ride (1775), the Battle of Bunker Hill (1775), and the Siege of Boston (1775–1776). Following American independence from Great Britain , the city continued to play an important role as a port, manufacturing hub, and center for education and culture. The city also expanded significantly beyond the original peninsula by filling in land and annexing neighboring towns. Boston's many firsts include

3850-824: The Episcopal Church . Boston was a prominent port of the Atlantic slave trade in the New England Colonies , but was soon overtaken by Salem, Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island . Boston eventually became a center of the American abolitionist movement . The city reacted largely negatively to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 , contributing to President Franklin Pierce 's attempt to make an example of Boston after Anthony Burns 's attempt to escape to freedom. In 1822,

3960-592: The Lehigh River from Gnadenhuetten on the Mahoning." Persistent issues with leaking and bursting pipes kept this first structure from being fully completed, despite switching from wood to lead pipes. Growing demand for water and a more efficient system required enlargement of the plant, as well as more powerful machinery. Hans later built the limestone Waterworks in 1762 to meet these needs and received thirty shillings in payment for his work. The limestone Waterworks building

4070-527: The North End , and the Seaport . Boston is sometimes called a "city of neighborhoods" because of the profusion of diverse subsections. The city government's Office of Neighborhood Services has officially designated 23 neighborhoods: More than two-thirds of inner Boston's modern land area did not exist when the city was founded. Instead, it was created via the gradual filling in of the surrounding tidal areas over

4180-628: The South End , the West End , the Financial District , and Chinatown . After the Great Boston fire of 1872 , workers used building rubble as landfill along the downtown waterfront. During the mid-to-late 19th century, workers filled almost 600 acres (240 ha) of brackish Charles River marshlands west of Boston Common with gravel brought by rail from the hills of Needham Heights. The city annexed

4290-617: The Stamp Act in 1765, a Boston mob ravaged the homes of Andrew Oliver , the official tasked with enforcing the Act, and Thomas Hutchinson , then the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. The British sent two regiments to Boston in 1768 in an attempt to quell the angry colonists. This did not sit well with the colonists, however. In 1770, during the Boston Massacre , British troops shot into

4400-558: The 1750 Smithy interprets a mid 1700s Blacksmith Shop with skilled artisans demonstrating 18th century techniques, open to the public to view and also take blacksmithing classes. Leading down the hill between the Smithy and Pottery ruin is a footpath known as Ohio Road which follows an early American Indian trail and bridge across the Monocacy Creek. The original bridge and road appear on a Plan of Bethlehem dated 1766. The current stone bridge

4510-410: The 1960s. Little remains today other than the foundation. The Dye House, a limestone building constructed in 1771, stood as a two-story, three-bay building with a one-story section to the west where the dyeing operations occurred. Natural substances such as indigo (blue), madder (red), logwood (purple), and fustic (yellow) were used to dye fabrics such as linen, cotton, and silk. Initially built along

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4620-412: The 1970s, the city's economy had begun to recover after 30 years of economic downturn. A large number of high-rises were constructed in the Financial District and in Boston's Back Bay during this period. This boom continued into the mid-1980s and resumed after a few pauses. Hospitals such as Massachusetts General Hospital , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , and Brigham and Women's Hospital lead

4730-619: The 20th century: Horticultural Hall , the Tennis and Racquet Club , Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum , Fenway Studios , Jordan Hall , and the Boston Opera House .  The Longfellow Bridge , built in 1906, was mentioned by Robert McCloskey in Make Way for Ducklings , describing its "salt and pepper shakers" feature. Fenway Park , home of the Boston Red Sox , opened in 1912, with

4840-567: The English town ultimately derives from its patron saint, St. Botolph , in whose church John Cotton served as the rector until his emigration with Johnson. In early sources, Lincolnshire's Boston was known as "St. Botolph's town", later contracted to "Boston". Before this renaming, the settlement on the peninsula had been known as "Shawmut" by William Blaxton and "Tremontaine" by the Puritan settlers he had invited. Prior to European colonization ,

4950-461: The Grist Mill (today Luckenbach Mill) tail race . As the community grew, so did the tanning operation, and a larger, more permanent stone structure was built on the west side of the tail race in 1761. Leather was both an important material and a valuable commodity in early Bethlehem, making the need for the tannery all the greater. By the 1760s the colonial Moravians processed 1000–2000 animal hides at

5060-503: The Irish have played a major role in Boston politics since the early 20th century; prominent figures include the Kennedys , Tip O'Neill , and John F. Fitzgerald . Between 1631 and 1890, the city tripled its area through land reclamation by filling in marshes, mud flats, and gaps between wharves along the waterfront. Reclamation projects in the middle of the century created significant parts of

5170-563: The John Hancock Tower is the old John Hancock Building with its prominent illuminated beacon , the color of which forecasts the weather. Downtown and its immediate surroundings (including the Financial District, Government Center, and South Boston ) consist largely of low-rise masonry buildings – often federal style and Greek revival – interspersed with modern high-rises. Back Bay includes many prominent landmarks, such as

5280-487: The Monocacy Creek was and still is prone to flooding. Damages to the buildings from high water and debris were noted in historic records. The many floods left behind silt and soil which, over the centuries, raised the ground level of the Colonial Industrial Quarter nearly six feet. Most notably the entrance to the Tannery at present day is a few steps below ground level, but back in 1761 it was a few steps above. The Colonial Industrial Quarter's buildings and ruins are owned by

5390-590: The Moravian Archives collection. The waterwheel was later damaged from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and was repaired in 2009 through funding from a Save America's Treasures Grant. The building's original purpose is interpreted at this site today on guided tours. The Oil Mill ruin sitting across from the Waterworks represents the Oil Mill building constructed circa 1765, though it was not the first Oil Mill constructed in

5500-451: The Quarter. The first Oil Mill was built in 1745 and was much smaller than the later Oil Mills, with oil seed pressing as its only operation. Early artistic renditions of the original mill suggest it was not a water-powered operation due to a lack of waterwheels in contemporary drawings. It was rebuilt as a log structure in 1752 approximately 200 feet south of the original location. This new mill

5610-716: The Renew Boston Whole Building Incentive which reduces the cost of living in buildings that are deemed energy efficient. Under the Köppen climate classification , Boston has either a hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa ) under the 0 °C (32.0 °F) isotherm or a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa ) under the −3 °C (26.6 °F) isotherm. Summers are warm to hot and humid, while winters are cold and stormy, with occasional periods of heavy snow. Spring and fall are usually cool and mild, with varying conditions dependent on wind direction and

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5720-481: The Tannery annually and produced a large variety of leather products such as clothing, shoes, harnesses, and machinery parts. The Tannery was operated by the Moravians until 1829 and tanning ceased in 1873 due to the rising price of tanbark. The building was then used for various operations and eventually deteriorated to the point of becoming a tenement house surrounded by a junk yard. It was restored between 1968 and 1971. The Butchery archaeological ruin represents what

5830-494: The United States' first public park ( Boston Common , 1634), the first public school ( Boston Latin School , 1635), and the first subway system ( Tremont Street subway , 1897). Boston has emerged as a global leader in higher education and research and the largest biotechnology hub in the world. The city is also a national leader in scientific research, law, medicine, engineering, and business. With nearly 5,000 startup companies,

5940-463: The Western Hemisphere. The first European to live in what would become Boston was a Cambridge -educated Anglican cleric named William Blaxton . He was the person most directly responsible for the foundation of Boston by Puritan colonists in 1630. This occurred after Blaxton invited one of their leaders, Isaac Johnson , to cross Back Bay from the failing colony of Charlestown and share

6050-535: The adjacent towns of South Boston (1804), East Boston (1836), Roxbury (1868), Dorchester (including present-day Mattapan and a portion of South Boston ) (1870), Brighton (including present-day Allston ) (1874), West Roxbury (including present-day Jamaica Plain and Roslindale ) (1874), Charlestown (1874), and Hyde Park (1912). Other proposals were unsuccessful for the annexation of Brookline , Cambridge, and Chelsea . Many architecturally significant buildings were built during these early years of

6160-605: The area surrounding Boston with the Battles of Lexington and Concord . Boston itself was besieged for almost a year during the siege of Boston , which began on April 19, 1775. The New England militia impeded the movement of the British Army . Sir William Howe , then the commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America, led the British army in the siege. On June 17, the British captured Charlestown (now part of Boston) during

6270-426: The area. Nevertheless, the city experienced conflict starting in 1974 over desegregation busing , which resulted in unrest and violence around public schools throughout the mid-1970s. Boston has also experienced gentrification in the latter half of the 20th century, with housing prices increasing sharply since the 1990s when the city's rent control regime was struck down by statewide ballot proposition . Boston

6380-409: The building to provide storage for meat, eggs, cheese and butter, fresh fruit and vegetables. In 1764, a larger log structure was erected, and a similar building was later reconstructed in the 1970s. The spring provided water to the city of Bethlehem until the early 1900s when it was capped due to contamination. The Tannery was originally built as a small log structure in 1743 along the east side of

6490-584: The centuries. This was accomplished using earth from the leveling or lowering of Boston's three original hills (the "Trimountain", after which Tremont Street is named), as well as with gravel brought by train from Needham to fill the Back Bay . Christian Science Center , Copley Square , Newbury Street , and New England's two tallest buildings: the John Hancock Tower and the Prudential Center . Near

6600-402: The citizens of Boston voted to change the official name from the "Town of Boston" to the "City of Boston", and on March 19, 1822, the people of Boston accepted the charter incorporating the city. At the time Boston was chartered as a city, the population was about 46,226, while the area of the city was only 4.8 sq mi (12 km ). In the 1820s, Boston's population grew rapidly, and

6710-460: The city government. A climate action plan from 2019 anticipates 2 ft (1 m) to more than 7 ft (2 m) of sea-level rise in Boston by the end of the 21st century. Many older buildings in certain areas of Boston are supported by wooden piles driven into the area's fill; these piles remain sound if submerged in water, but are subject to dry rot if exposed to air for long periods. Groundwater levels have been dropping in many areas of

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6820-403: The city is considered a global pioneer in innovation and entrepreneurship , and more recently in artificial intelligence . Boston's economy also includes finance , professional and business services, information technology , and government activities. Boston households provide the highest average rate of philanthropy in the nation, and the city's businesses and institutions rank among

6930-514: The city of Bethlehem and under long-term lease to Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites , a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Pottery ruin can be found along Main Street, Bethlehem, just west of Central Moravian Church . The building was constructed of limestone in 1749 and measured 32 ft. x 35 ft. with two stories. Historically, it was used as a pottery where the potter made roof tiles for buildings, tile stoves for heating, and plates, cups, bowls, pie plates and other necessities. Later

7040-506: The city of Bethlehem with a long-term lease to Historic Bethlehem Inc. , a member institution of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites , a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The history of the 1762 Waterworks is interpreted today on guided tours. The building is presently closed to the public. Colonial Industrial Quarter The Colonial Industrial Quarter is part of the Historic Moravian Bethlehem District which

7150-464: The city often receives sea breezes , especially in the late spring, when water temperatures are still quite cold and temperatures at the coast can be more than 20 °F (11 °C) colder than a few miles inland, sometimes dropping by that amount near midday. Thunderstorms typically occur from May to September; occasionally, they can become severe, with large hail , damaging winds, and heavy downpours. Although downtown Boston has never been struck by

7260-500: The city's ethnic composition changed dramatically with the first wave of European immigrants . Irish immigrants dominated the first wave of newcomers during this period, especially following the Great Famine ; by 1850, about 35,000 Irish lived in Boston . In the latter half of the 19th century, the city saw increasing numbers of Irish, Germans , Lebanese , Syrians, French Canadians , and Russian and Polish Jews settling there. By

7370-414: The city, due in part to an increase in the amount of rainwater discharged directly into sewers rather than absorbed by the ground. The Boston Groundwater Trust coordinates monitoring groundwater levels throughout the city via a network of public and private monitoring wells. The city developed a climate action plan covering carbon reduction in buildings, transportation, and energy use. The first such plan

7480-582: The creation of Boston baked beans . Boston's economy stagnated in the decades prior to the Revolution. By the mid-18th century, New York City and Philadelphia had surpassed Boston in wealth. During this period, Boston encountered financial difficulties even as other cities in New England grew rapidly. The weather continuing boisterous the next day and night, giving the enemy time to improve their works, to bring up their cannon, and to put themselves in such

7590-403: The creek and provided the power needed to move water up to the settlement above. The power generated by one water wheel was the equivalent of 100 men and an undershot waterwheel powered three cast-iron pumps, forcing the water through pipes (originally wooden, later lead) into a collecting tower located nearly 94 feet uphill where Central Moravian Church stands today. From the tower, gravity carried

7700-622: The cultural and financial center of the New England region of the Northeastern United States . It has an area of 48.4 sq mi (125 km ) and a population of 675,647 as of the 2020 census , making it the third-largest city in the Northeastern United States after New York City and Philadelphia . The larger Greater Boston metropolitan statistical area has a population of 4.9 million as of 2023, making it

7810-415: The early 1800s the Oil Mill had to halt productivity for two days out of the week so the Waterworks could fill the town’s reservoirs. The Waterworks operations were later relocated to the Oil Mill building in 1832 due to an increase on water demands from the town that the 1762 Waterworks could not meet. The Oil Mill operated as the new Waterworks for 81 years, serving the continually growing community well into

7920-400: The early 20th century. Standing in its place today is a full reconstruction done in 2004 upon the original foundations and based upon various archival resources found within the collections of the Moravian Archives. The reconstruction was crafted using limestone taken from a local 18th century barn being torn down, and includes the original Smithy's vaulted cistern which was still intact. Today

8030-538: The early twentieth century. Water quality from the spring soon became a major issue with epidemics of typhoid and dysentery being traced to the water supply and, under order of the Pennsylvania Commissioner of Health, the waterworks operations were shut down permanently in January 1913. The system is believed to be the first pump-powered water supply to be implemented in what is now the United States. Boston had

8140-460: The elevated Central Artery and incorporated new green spaces and open areas. Boston is located within the Boston Basin ecoregion , which is characterized by low and rolling hills with a number of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. Forests are mainly transition hardwoods such as oak - hickory mixed with white pine . As a coastal city built largely on fill , sea-level rise is of major concern to

8250-468: The end of the 19th century, Boston's core neighborhoods had become enclaves of ethnically distinct immigrants with their residence yielding lasting cultural change. Italians became the largest inhabitants of the North End , Irish dominated South Boston and Charlestown , and Russian Jews lived in the West End . Irish and Italian immigrants brought with them Roman Catholicism. Currently, Catholics make up Boston's largest religious community, and

8360-478: The facilities operations such as buckwheat, millet, barley malt, split peas, and tobacco snuff, making it one of the most versatile facilities and profitable industries in 18th century Bethlehem. By the early 1800s, the changing economy in Bethlehem created operational deficits that could not be overcome and the mill's operations came to an end in 1814. For the next hundred years it was used by tenant millers and then as

8470-526: The first Community Health Center in the United States. It mostly served the massive Columbia Point public housing complex adjoining it, which was built in 1953. The health center is still in operation and was rededicated in 1990 as the Geiger-Gibson Community Health Center. The Columbia Point complex itself was redeveloped and revitalized from 1984 to 1990 into a mixed-income residential development called Harbor Point Apartments. By

8580-457: The first floor became the clothmaker and stocking weaver's shop. The second floor became home to thirteen widowers in 1758. The Pottery stood until the early 20th century when it was partially dismantled and converted into brownstone dwellings. A wall fragment and foundations of the original building, which were saved in the 1960s during Urban Renewal, are all that remain today. Yale University Department of Anthropology and Archaeology also conducted

8690-526: The grist mill tail race in 1746, an addition for a second dye house was constructed in 1752 next to the site of the present-day ruins. Operations in the Dye House ceased in the 1830s after which the building was used for storage and dwellings. In the 1930s the house was partially dismantled with the stone being used for the construction of other structures. Today the remaining ruins, consisting of foundation, walls, and window openings, are an archaeological site that

8800-465: The largest in the New England division and the eleventh-largest in the country . Boston was founded on the Shawmut Peninsula in 1630 by Puritan settlers. The city was named after Boston, Lincolnshire , England. During the American Revolution , Boston was home to several events that proved central to the revolution and subsequent Revolutionary War , including the Boston Massacre (1770),

8910-404: The meantime. Manufacturing became an important component of the city's economy, and the city's industrial manufacturing overtook international trade in economic importance by the mid-19th century. The small rivers bordering the city and connecting it to the surrounding region facilitated shipment of goods and led to a proliferation of mills and factories. Later, a dense network of railroads furthered

9020-566: The militia after the Continental Congress established the Continental Army to unify the revolutionary effort. Both sides faced difficulties and supply shortages in the siege, and the fighting was limited to small-scale raids and skirmishes. The narrow Boston Neck, which at that time was only about a hundred feet wide, impeded Washington's ability to invade Boston, and a long stalemate ensued. A young officer, Rufus Putnam , came up with

9130-603: The nation in medical innovation and patient care. Schools such as the Boston Architectural College , Boston College , Boston University , the Harvard Medical School , Tufts University School of Medicine , Northeastern University , Massachusetts College of Art and Design , Wentworth Institute of Technology , Berklee College of Music , the Boston Conservatory , and many others attract students to

9240-449: The original 18th century buildings were converted into other uses and some were torn down. By the 1950s, the area had become an automobile junk yard. Civic and cultural interest in the city's history pushed for preservation of the Colonial Industrial Quarter and following a period of urban renewal in the 1960s, the site was cleaned up. This allowed archaeological studies and restoration work to proceed as funds were raised. The area along

9350-460: The original 18th century master craftsmen’s drawing in the collection of the Moravian Archives. In 2004 the waterwheel sustained damage from Hurricane Ivan , and through a Save America's Treasures Grant was restored in 2009 using those same drawings. Sections of the original wooden pipes used by the Waterworks are on display at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem . The 1762 Waterworks is owned by

9460-549: The peninsula. The Puritans made the crossing in September 1630. Puritan influence on Boston began even before the settlement was founded with the 1629 Cambridge Agreement . This document created the Massachusetts Bay Colony and was signed by its first governor John Winthrop . Puritan ethics and their focus on education also influenced the early history of the city. America's first public school, Boston Latin School ,

9570-456: The position of the jet stream . Prevailing wind patterns that blow offshore minimize the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. However, in winter, areas near the immediate coast often see more rain than snow, as warm air is sometimes drawn off the Atlantic. The city lies at the border between USDA plant hardiness zones 6b (away from the coastline) and 7a (close to the coastline). The hottest month

9680-620: The region surrounding present-day Boston was inhabited by the Massachusett people who had small, seasonal communities. When a group of settlers led by John Winthrop arrived in 1630, the Shawmut Peninsula was nearly empty of the Native people, as many had died of European diseases brought by early settlers and traders. Archaeological excavations unearthed one of the oldest fishweirs in New England on Boylston Street , which Native people constructed as early as 7,000 years before European arrival in

9790-461: The region's industry and commerce. During this period, Boston flourished culturally as well. It was admired for its rarefied literary life and generous artistic patronage . Members of old Boston families—eventually dubbed the Boston Brahmins —came to be regarded as the nation's social and cultural elites. They are often associated with the American upper class , Harvard University , and

9900-497: The relocated Waterworks for 81 years. Due to insurmountable water contamination within the spring that caused an outbreak of typhoid and dysentery, it was shut down in 1913. The Oil Mill was demolished in 1934 as a project of the Works Progress Administration with the stones used for retaining walls along the Monocacy Creek. Only the foundations of the Oil Mill remain today. The first Springhouse, constructed in 1747,

10010-515: The southeast by the town of Milton , and the city of Quincy . The Charles River separates Boston's Allston-Brighton , Fenway-Kenmore and Back Bay neighborhoods from Watertown and Cambridge, and most of Boston from its own Charlestown neighborhood. The Neponset River forms the boundary between Boston's southern neighborhoods and Quincy and Milton . The Mystic River separates Charlestown from Chelsea and Everett, and Chelsea Creek and Boston Harbor separate East Boston from Downtown ,

10120-407: The spring at the bottom of the hill to the top of the hill where most of the living quarters could be found. This spring provided a flow of 800 gallons per minute, enough to provide water for drinking, cooking, and bathing, as well as water in case of fire. The first building was a wooden structure designed by Hans and described by Robert Rau as "the machinery was placed in a frame building, 19 by 22,

10230-509: The temperature dipped down to −10 °F (−23 °C); this was the lowest temperature reading in the city since 1957. In addition, several decades may pass between 100 °F (38 °C) readings; the last such reading occurred on July 24, 2022. The city's average window for freezing temperatures is November 9 through April 5. Official temperature records have ranged from −18 °F (−28 °C) on February 9, 1934, up to 104 °F (40 °C) on July 4, 1911. The record cold daily maximum

10340-601: The top in the nation for environmental sustainability and new investment. Isaac Johnson , in one of his last official acts as the leader of the Charlestown community before he died on September 30, 1630, named the then-new settlement across the river "Boston". The settlement's name came from Johnson's hometown of Boston, Lincolnshire , from which he, his wife (namesake of the Arbella ) and John Cotton (grandfather of Cotton Mather ) had emigrated to New England . The name of

10450-399: The water into five separate cisterns on the hillside to be used by the various Choir houses. Hans' system was imperfect, with overpressure bursting wooden pipes and other problems. Conflict later arose when the city’s growth continued but the power supplied by Monocacy Creek could not match. Both the Waterworks and the Oil Mill used the same tail race to supply the power for their needs and by

10560-460: The winter of 2011–12 saw only 9.3 in (23.6 cm) of accumulating snow, but the previous winter, the corresponding figure was 81.0 in (2.06 m). The city's coastal location on the North Atlantic makes the city very prone to nor'easters , which can produce large amounts of snow and rain. Fog is fairly common, particularly in spring and early summer. Due to its coastal location,

10670-468: Was a small stone structure built over the spring to make use of the water's very cold temperature to provide storage for perishable foodstuffs. Flowing at a rate of one million gallons per day, the spring's water overflow spilled onto large rocks on the earthen floor where the Moravian's placed their dairy products, vegetables, and redware pots full of milk. Each choir house in the community had its own shelf in

10780-423: Was aged 19 and under, 14.3% was from 20 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males. There were 252,699 households, of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 25.5% were married couples living together, 16.3% had

10890-538: Was commissioned in 2007, with updates released in 2011, 2014, and 2019. This plan includes the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance, which requires the city's larger buildings to disclose their yearly energy and water use statistics and to partake in an energy assessment every five years. A separate initiative, Resilient Boston Harbor, lays out neighborhood-specific recommendations for coastal resilience . In 2013, Mayor Thomas Menino introduced

11000-422: Was constructed in the early 1800s and today serves as a pedestrian walkway. The Waterworks , a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark (declared 1971), American Water Landmark (declared 1971), and National Historic Landmark (declared 1981), was built in 1762. It is considered to be the first municipal pumped water system in America; an undershot waterwheel powered three pumps and forced spring water to

11110-532: Was designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 2012 and later named to the U.S. Tentative List in 2016 for nomination to the World Heritage List . The Colonial Industrial Quarter is also known as the location of several annual events and festivals including the Historic Turkey Trot 5K , Musikfest , and Celtic Classic . “Established in 1741, this area eventually housed thirty-two industries which employed advanced technological methods to produce

11220-475: Was erected later that year, though portions of the 1751 mill's north and east walls are still visible. The mill remained one of the longest-lasting industries in the Colonial Industrial Quarter, receiving modern upgrades of steam power in 1877, an Allis roller mill system in 1882, and a 25,000 bushel grain elevator in 1893. The Luckenbach Mill was in continuous use well into the 20th century, gradually switching from flour to grain before all milling ceased in 1949. It

11330-460: Was founded in Boston in 1635. Boston was the largest town in the Thirteen Colonies until Philadelphia outgrew it in the mid-18th century. Boston's oceanfront location made it a lively port , and the then-town primarily engaged in shipping and fishing during its colonial days. Boston was a primary stop on a Caribbean trade route and imported large amounts of molasses, which led to

11440-534: Was investigated by the Yale University Department of Anthropology and Archaeology. The Grist Mill underwent several building iterations before it became the building known today as the Luckenbach Mill. The original wooden flour mill was built in 1743 and due to flood damage was later replaced by a limestone structure in 1751. This building was destroyed by a fire in 1869 and the building seen today

11550-450: Was purchased in 1952 by an auto parts dealer who turned the whole Colonial Industrial Quarter area into an automobile junkyard. The building was restored in 1982. Presently the structure houses event and educational space as well as the Library and Archives for Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. The Grist Miller's House was built in 1784 after the end of Bethlehem's General Economy and

11660-601: Was reversed in 2013 when it was resold to Boston businessman John W. Henry . In 2016, it was announced General Electric would be moving its corporate headquarters from Connecticut to the Seaport District in Boston, joining many other companies in this rapidly developing neighborhood. The city also saw the completion of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, known as the Big Dig , in 2007 after many delays and cost overruns. On April 15, 2013, two Chechen Islamist brothers detonated

11770-643: Was so impressed that he made Rufus Putnam his chief engineer. After the Revolution, Boston's long seafaring tradition helped make it one of the nation's busiest ports for both domestic and international trade. Boston's harbor activity was significantly curtailed by the Embargo Act of 1807 (adopted during the Napoleonic Wars ) and the War of 1812 . Foreign trade returned after these hostilities, but Boston's merchants had found alternatives for their capital investments in

11880-538: Was supported by the mayor and a coalition of business leaders and local philanthropists, but was eventually dropped due to public opposition. The USOC then selected Los Angeles to be the American candidate with Los Angeles ultimately securing the right to host the 2028 Summer Olympics . Nevertheless, Boston is one of eleven U.S. cities which will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup , with games taking place at Gillette Stadium . The geographical center of Boston

11990-507: Was the first individual residence for a master of a trade. The building was made of limestone with one story and a basement as a home for the miller and his family. In 1834 the house was enlarged and it was used as a residence until the 1970s, then used as programming space and offices for Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites until the late 1990s. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The building

12100-504: Was the site for various industrial processes and used one undershot waterwheel to process oilseeds, tanbark, and hemp. The 1752 Oil Mill produced 750–1550 gallons (2800–5900 liters) of linseed oil annually. A fire damaged the 1752 Oil Mill beyond repair on November 18, 1763, and a new, larger stone Oil Mill was constructed in 1765 on the location of the present-day ruin. This mill featured two undershot waterwheels with additional machinery for grinding groats. Additional products would be added to

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