Boston Fish Pier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Boston Fish Pier Historic District
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| Location | Northern Ave., South Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Henry F. Keyes; Monks & Johnson |
| NRHP reference No. | 100001314 |
| Added to NRHP | July 13, 2017 |
The Boston Fish Pier is a very important place for the fishing industry in Boston, Massachusetts. It is located on Northern Avenue in South Boston within Boston's Inner Harbor. This pier has been a key spot for fishing since it was built in 1910.
In the 1920s, it was home to one of the biggest fishing fleets in the eastern United States. Back then, they processed a huge amount of fish – about 250 million pounds! The pier and its buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, meaning they are recognized as important historical sites. This building is also being considered to become a special Boston Landmark.
What is the Boston Fish Pier Like?
The Boston Fish Pier is on the south side of Boston Harbor's main channel. If you look across the water to the north, you can see Logan Airport. Northern Avenue runs along the south side of the pier.
The pier itself is about 300 feet (91 meters) wide and 1,200 feet (366 meters) long. It has two long buildings that look almost exactly alike. There's also a smaller office building at the very end. These buildings are made from strong steel and concrete, with decorative terra cotta details. Inside the two main buildings, you'll find tall, arched hallways and 44 different shops. These shops are used by people who deal with fish, handle it, and run other businesses related to fishing.
A Look Back: History of the Fish Pier
Before the Boston Fish Pier was built, Boston's fishing businesses were located at T Wharf. This was a part of the Long Wharf, which had been a busy part of the city's waterfront for many years.
By 1909, the lease for the fishing businesses was ending. So, an agreement was made between the fishing association, the city, and the state. They decided to build a special pier just for fishing on the South Boston waterfront. This new pier was first called Pier Six. It was built in 1910, and the main buildings followed in 1912.
The buildings were designed by Henry F. Keyes. He also designed the nearby Commonwealth Pier. When the Boston Fish Pier was finished, it had an amazing eight-story cold storage building. This building could hold 15 million pounds of fish! At the time, it was said to be the largest cold storage facility in the world.
In 1926, the pier handled 250 million pounds of fish. It had space for 40 fishing boats to dock and 80 boats to unload their catch. The pier's busiest year was 1969, when 339 million pounds of fish were brought in.
The Massachusetts Port Authority took over the pier in 1972. They then made big improvements and upgrades to its facilities in 1979. The building at the end of the pier, where fish used to be sold at auctions, is now a conference center. However, the Boston Fish Pier is still mostly used for fishing activities today.
