Quincy Market facts for kids
|
Quincy Market
|
|
Quincy Market, east side, 1987
|
|
 Location in Boston
Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Built | 1825 |
| Architect | Alexander Parris G.J.F. Bryant |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000784 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | November 13, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | November 13, 1966 |
Quincy Market is a famous market building in Boston, Massachusetts. It's located right next to Faneuil Hall in the city center. This market was built between 1824 and 1826. It was named after Mayor Josiah Quincy III, who helped get it built without using any public taxes or creating debt.
Quincy Market is a very important historical place. It's recognized as a National Historic Landmark and a Boston Landmark. It was one of the biggest market buildings constructed in the United States during the early 1800s.
Contents
History of Quincy Market
When Boston officially became a city in 1822, the downtown area was growing fast. The old market, Faneuil Hall, wasn't big enough anymore. People needed more space to buy and sell goods. So, Quincy Market was built as a new indoor place for many different vendors.
Building the Market
The main building was designed by a person named Alexander Parris. It was built right next to Faneuil Hall, which used to be very close to the water. To make space for the new market, part of the harbor was filled in with dirt. This is an early example of how Boston expanded its land by filling in parts of the water.
Building the market led to even more business growth. Six new city streets were either rebuilt or added because of the new marketplace.
What Was Sold There?
From the very beginning, Quincy Market was mostly a place to buy food. Inside its walls, you could find many different grocers selling things like eggs, cheese, and bread. When workers dug for market expansions in the 1970s, they found old animal bones. This suggests that meat was prepared right there at the market.
Outside the building, street vendors also set up their stalls in the plazas. Some old signs from early food sellers are still displayed in the upstairs seating area today.
Design and Look
Quincy Market is two stories tall. It's about 535 feet (163 meters) long and covers about 27,000 square feet (2,500 square meters) of land. The outside of the building is mostly made of granite. The inside walls are red brick. It was one of the first large buildings to use granite and glass in a special way called post-and-beam construction.
Inside, the market uses strong cast iron columns and iron rods. These were very new and modern for the time.
Architectural Style
The front and back parts of the market look like old Roman architecture. They have strong triangular tops called pediments and large Doric columns. But the sides of the building look more modern and American, with many rows of rectangular windows.
The building has a long, rectangular shape. This creates a long hallway down its middle. On the roof, there are eight chimneys placed evenly. In the very center of the building, there's a copper dome. This dome covers an open area where people can sit. It's also where the main side entrances are.
North and South Market Buildings
On either side of the main Quincy Market building are two other buildings. These are called the North Market and South Market. They are 4.5 stories tall and made of brick and granite. These buildings were also part of the original market plan. They have been changed more over time than the main building.
The entire market area was named a National Historic Landmark in 1966. The central building with the dome was also named a Boston Landmark in 1996. The North and South Market buildings are still being considered for the Boston Landmark title.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace Today
By the early 1970s, the way people bought food had changed. Most meat and produce businesses had moved to bigger, more modern places. Quincy Market started to fall apart.
Saving the Market
In 1969, the city of Boston received money to help fix up the market. The goal was to make the roofs and outside walls look like they did in 1826.
Later, in the 1970s, a new idea called the "festival marketplace" was created. This idea helped save Quincy Market. Architects and developers worked together to create the new Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This new marketplace, which includes Quincy Market, opened in 1976. It quickly became a very popular place.
What You'll Find Now
The main Quincy Market building is still a place for food, but it's different now. Instead of grocery stores, it has many food stalls, fast-food places, and restaurants. It's a busy spot for people working downtown to grab lunch. In the center, under the dome, there's a two-story area where people can sit and eat.
Outside the building, especially on the south side, there are more street vendors. They sell small gifts, souvenirs, and interesting items. Some restaurants also have enclosed spaces at the ends of this area.
On the second floor and in the basement, you can find more shops and businesses. There used to be a big comedy club on the second floor. Bars and restaurants are also located in the basement.
The North Market and South Market buildings, which are next to the main building, also have more restaurants, special shops, and offices. There are also two curved market buildings that create a round plaza at the east end of the marketplace.
The open areas at both ends of the marketplace are popular spots for street performers. You can often see jugglers or other acts drawing a crowd there during the day.
Since 2015, a Japanese clothing store called Uniqlo has taken up most of the second floor of Quincy Market.
