The North End of Boston

Covering just one square mile, the North End is the oldest neighborhood in the city of Boston and is certainly one of the most popular. It is bound by Atlantic Avenue, Cross Street, and Commercial Street, which lies alongside the Boston Harbor waterfront.

While the neighborhood has been home to many different cultural groups over its 300-year existence, the area has been an Italian locale since their immigration here in the 1880's. The Italians have made the North End the geographic and symbolic heart of their community in the city of Boston as we know it today.

The area was often referred to as "the cradle of liberty", by Paul Revere, Sam Adams, John Hancock and many other famous faces of the Revolutionary War, due to its integral part in the establishment and independence of our country.

The famous lanterns that signaled to Paul Revere if the British were coming by land or by sea, hung from the tower of the Old North Church, the oldest church in Boston, on Salem Street. This provoked Paul Revere's rebellious midnight ride to Lexington.

Paul Revere's home on Salem St, where he and wife raised 16 children, also still exists today and is now a very popular tourist destination.

Salem St. was also a hub for the birth of commerce for early America. In the 17th century it was home to Boston's first food markets and grain and wood mills which introduced a bustling trade in the 18th century for ship builders. The street was also busy with gold and silver-smiths, copper producers, and iron and steel bell casters.

Today, the neighborhood is known as the premier location for authentic Italian fare and its Summer celebrations of saints feasts. On various weekends from early June until the end of August, visitors are likely to see street processions held in honor of various saints.