20-30 Bromfield Street facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 20-30 Bromfield Street |
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20-30 Bromfield Street as it appeared in 2014
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| General information | |
| Type | Commercial |
| Location | 20-30 Bromfield Street, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates | 42°21′24″N 71°03′37″W / 42.356586°N 71.060154°W |
| Completed | 1847-48 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3.5 |
20-30 Bromfield Street is a very old and important group of buildings in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It's special because it's one of the few buildings left from the 1800s that was built with strong granite stone for businesses. These buildings show us what Boston looked like a long time ago.
What is 20-30 Bromfield Street?
This group of buildings was constructed during a time called Boston's "Granite Era." This was when many business buildings were made from granite. Not many of these old granite buildings are still standing today.
The buildings are split into three parts. Each part is about three and a half stories tall. They also have three window sections across the front. The second and third floors are covered in granite. The roof is sloped and covered with slate tiles.
You can see tall, two-story granite pillars on the outside. These pillars have special tops called "Egyptoid capitals." This style is rare in Boston and looks like ancient Egyptian designs.
When Was It Built?
The buildings were constructed by a merchant named John Ballard. His family had been active on Bromfield Street for a long time. Building started in 1847 and finished in 1848.
Originally, there were five parts to this building row. But the two sections on the left (12-18 Bromfield) were sold by Ballard's family. They were torn down in 1903 to make space for a new building called the Washington Building. The Ballard family no longer owned 20-30 Bromfield Street by 1888.
Why Is It Important?
On July 7, 1982, a very big fire damaged 20-24 Bromfield Street. The fire caused a lot of damage and destroyed many artist studios. It also affected the offices of the Gay Community News.
After the fire, there were plans to tear down the damaged building. However, the Boston Landmarks Commission stepped in. They stopped the demolition because the building was considered an important historical site. On March 8, 1983, the outside of 20-30 Bromfield Street was officially named a Boston Landmark. This means it is protected and recognized for its historical value.
Images for kids
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20-30 Bromfield Street as it appeared in 2014
- City of Boston Boston Landmarks Commission 20-30 Bromfield Street Study Report
