South Boston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
South Boston
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South Boston from the air in 2010
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| Nickname(s):
Southie
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Suffolk | |
| Neighborhood of | Boston | |
| Annexed by Boston | 1804 | |
| Area | ||
| • Land | 3.1 sq mi (8 km2) | |
| Population
(2010)
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33,688 | |
| • Density | 10,867/sq mi (4,196/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| Zip Code |
02127
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| Area code(s) | 617 / 857 | |
South Boston, often called Southie, is a lively neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. It's located south and east of the Fort Point Channel, right next to Dorchester Bay. This area has changed a lot since it became part of Boston in 1804.
South Boston was once mostly farmland. Over time, it became known as a place where many Irish Catholic working-class families lived. Today, it's a popular spot for young professionals and families.
You can find Dorchester Heights here, a historic spot where George Washington helped force British troops to leave during the American Revolutionary War. South Boston has also seen many changes, with property values increasing. It's also famous for its annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, which celebrates Irish-American culture and Evacuation Day.
Contents
Exploring South Boston's Past
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South Boston was once connected to the town of Dorchester by a narrow strip of land called Dorchester Neck. Over the years, new land was added, making the area much larger. South Boston became its own distinct place and joined Boston in stages between 1804 and 1870.
A Key Moment in the Revolutionary War
During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington placed cannons on Dorchester Heights. This smart move made the British troops leave Boston on March 17, 1776. They sailed away to Halifax, Nova Scotia. This day is still celebrated as Evacuation Day.
A fort called Fort Independence was built on Castle Island. It still stands today as a National Historic Landmark. The famous writer Edgar Allan Poe even stayed there for a few months in 1827!
Modern Changes and Growth
In the early 2000s, property values in South Boston, especially near City Point and Castle Island, started to rise. This area, sometimes called the "East Side," became very popular because it's close to downtown Boston.
The "West Side" of South Boston also saw growth. It's home to the Macallen Building, Boston's first green residence. The city is still working on new projects in the West Side, like a large building with homes and shops on West Broadway.
The Harrison Loring House
The Harrison Loring House is a beautiful brick mansion built in 1865. It was a private home until 1913, when it became a convent for the Roman Catholic Church. This house, located at 789 East Broadway, was named a Boston Landmark in 1981. It's connected to Harrison Loring, who owned one of South Boston's first shipyards.
The Famous St. Patrick's Day Parade
The South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade has a long history. It celebrates General Henry Knox's clever plan during the Revolutionary War. He brought cannons to Dorchester Heights, making the British leave Boston on March 17, 1776. The password that day was "St. Patrick."
Evacuation Day became a holiday in Boston in 1901. The city started the parade in South Boston to celebrate. The Dorchester Heights Monument was finished in 1902 to honor this event.
The parade is a big celebration of both Irish-American culture and the Evacuation Day victory. Many important people have marched in it, including members of the Kennedy family. Today, the parade is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of viewers. Organizers have worked to make it more family-friendly, with special "family zones."
The parade starts on West Broadway and ends at Farragut Road. Each year, thousands of people join in the march.
People and Community
South Boston became known as an Irish working-class neighborhood when many Irish immigrants moved there in the mid-1800s. They continued to settle there throughout the 1900s.
Today, South Boston is a mix of people. While it was once mostly Irish Catholic, it's now very popular with young professionals and families. They love the strong community feeling and how easy it is to get to downtown Boston. South Boston has a population of about 33,311 people, with a median age of about 32.
The population includes people from many different backgrounds. About 79% of residents are Caucasian, 8.3% are Hispanic, 5.7% are African American, and 4.8% are Asian.
The Seaport District: A Growing Area
The Seaport District in South Boston has grown a lot in the 21st century. It's been called one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country. This growth really took off after the "Big Dig" project, which moved a major highway underground. This change connected the waterfront to the rest of the city.
In 2010, Mayor Menino announced plans to turn 1,000 acres of the South Boston Waterfront into an "Innovation District." The idea was to create a hub for new jobs in technology and other cutting-edge industries. Between 2010 and 2017, this area created 5,000 new jobs and welcomed over 200 new companies. Many of these companies share office spaces, which helps them grow.
Local Businesses
The main office for Reebok is located in South Boston.
Schools in South Boston
Public schools in South Boston are managed by Boston Public Schools.
Public Schools
- Excel High School
- James Condon Elementary
- Joseph P. Tynan Elementary
- Oliver Hazard Perry
- UP Academy Boston
- Michael J. Perkins School
Private Schools
- South Boston Catholic Academy
- Saint Peters Academy
Places of Worship
South Boston has many different churches and places of worship.
Catholic Churches
- Gate of Heaven Parish: Established in 1863, its large church is a well-known landmark.
- Saint Brigid Parish: Became a separate parish in 1908.
- Saint Augustine Chapel and Cemetery: The oldest Catholic Church in Massachusetts, built in 1819. It's a historic place.
- Our Lady of Czestochowa (Polish)
- Saint Monica – Saint Augustine (now combined)
- Saint Peter (Lithuanian)
- Saint Vincent de Paul
- Our Lady of Good Voyage
Albanian Orthodox Churches
- St George Cathedral: The largest Orthodox Christian church in Massachusetts.
- Albanian Holy Trinity Church, Kisha Shqiptare e Shen Trinise
- St John the Baptist
Baptist Churches
- South Baptist Church
- Hub Church
Presbyterian Church
- Fourth Presbyterian Church: Has been part of South Boston since 1870.
Parks and Green Spaces
South Boston offers many great parks and outdoor areas for everyone to enjoy.
Dorchester Bay Shoreline
Fort Independence is a large granite fort on Castle Island. This 22-acre park is connected to the mainland. Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach, and Carson Beach create a three-mile stretch of parkland and beach along Dorchester Bay. Carson Beach has nice views and facilities like restrooms and lifeguard stations. There's also a walkway for walking, biking, or running from Castle Island to the Kennedy Library.
Fort Independence and Castle Island are important historical sites. The fort is open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, and you can take tours in the summer.
Thomas Park (Dorchester Heights)
This park is on top of a hill. A tall monument here remembers the Patriot battle that made the British leave Boston.
M Street Park
Located between M and N streets, this park was a very popular place to live in the late 1800s. The brownstone buildings around it are beautiful examples of old architecture. M Street Park also has the first Vietnam memorial in the country, listing the names of South Boston residents who died in the war.
South Boston Maritime Park
This park has green lawns, gardens, trees, and walking paths. Artwork with fish and sea themes celebrates Boston's history with the ocean. It's a nice spot to relax or have lunch.
Joe Moakley Park
This large park has fields for baseball and soccer, a special area for learning traffic rules, a spray area for cooling off, and a jogging track. It's easy to get to by public transportation.
Castle Island Park
This park is home to Fort Independence (open in summer). It has a beach, picnic areas, and a jogging path.
The Lawn on D
A grassy area next to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, perfect for outdoor events and relaxing.
Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park
This waterside park offers bay views, open lawns, sports fields, and a playground.
Marine Industrial Park
This large waterfront area has businesses, a brewery, a museum, and a cruise ship terminal.
Public Housing
South Boston has some of the oldest public housing in the United States. Over the last 30 years, these communities have become more diverse. They are managed by the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). Some of these include West Broadway, Old Colony, and Mary Ellen McCormack, which was built in 1936.
Recently, the Old Colony housing project finished a major update. New, energy-efficient homes were built, replacing older apartments. These new homes are some of the most environmentally friendly public houses in Massachusetts.
Getting Around South Boston
South Boston is served by two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Red Line train stations: Broadway and Andrew. MBTA bus service connects these stations to homes nearby.
The MBTA Silver Line is a special bus service. It connects the South Boston Waterfront to South Station and Boston Logan International Airport in East Boston.
Fun Things to Do
Institute of Contemporary Art
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston opened in 2006 in the Seaport District. It's a modern art museum with changing exhibits, educational programs, performances, and movies.
New Year's Day Plunge
Every year, hundreds of people join the L Street Brownies for a New Year's Day swim in Dorchester Bay (Boston Harbor). This event has been happening since 1904 and draws many spectators.
Boston Triathlon
Boston's only triathlon takes place here! Participants swim in Dorchester Bay, bike through the city streets, and run along the Southie shoreline.
Famous People from South Boston
Many notable people have come from South Boston, including:
- William M. Bulger, a former president of the Massachusetts Senate.
- James Connolly, the first modern Olympic champion in 1896.
- John Cunniff, a National Hockey League hockey coach and player.
- Richard Cushing, a high-ranking leader in the Roman Catholic Church who was Archbishop of Boston.
- Raymond Flynn, who was Boston's mayor and later a U.S. ambassador.
- James Healy, America's first Catholic bishop of African descent.
- Edward Lawrence Logan, a general and judge, for whom Logan International Airport is named.
- Stephen F. Lynch, a U.S. Congressman.
- John William McCormack, a politician who served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
- Joe Moakley, a U.S. Congressman.
- New Kids On The Block and Marky Mark, famous music artists.
