Not very many people know about one of Boston’s most hidden neighborhoods, but if you know about Bay Village, you have discovered one of Boston’s best kept secrets. The residents of Bay Village are at such an advantage, as they are in a great central location- close to the
South End,
Chinatown,
Back Bay,
Financial District and the
Theatre District.
The cute, tree-lined streets are home to a select number of Bostonians, living in the Village’s brick townhouses.
While walking through Bay Village you may be mistaken for being in
Beacon Hill, because the architecture is so similar. This is true because both of the neighborhoods were established around the same time. Bay Village is considered one of Boston’s friendliest and safest neighborhoods. While it is a small neighborhood, Bay Village has a handful of restaurants such as
Smith & Wollensky and
Rachel's Kitchen . You are guaranteed to enjoy a visit through the quaint Bay Village!
Believe it or not, Bay Village was once a body of water (similar to the
Back Bay neighborhood) known as the South Bay. In the early 1800's, a man by the name of Ephraim Marsh landfilled the area in order to establish more homes and businesses. Throughout history, other names for Bay Village include Church Street District, Kerry Village and South Cove.
In 1942, the famous Coconut Grove Nightclub, which was located in Bay Village, burned to the ground in a huge tragedy. This deadly fire killed almost 500 people, and marked the beginning of the strictly enforced fire regulations throughout the city of Boston. Today, the Radisson Hotel is established where the club used to stand, on
Piedmont Street.
