The History of Old State House
Completed in 1713, the Old State House is the oldest extant public building in Boston. Its presence at 206 Washington Street follows a history of fire and reconstruction on this site. The First Town-House, which previously occupied the location, burned down in 1711. The Second Town-House was later gutted by fire in 1747. Since its completion, the structure has functioned through several distinct administrative roles. During the 18th century, it hosted the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of the Massachusetts provincial and state governments.
The building's administrative utility shifted as the city grew. In 1798, the Massachusetts General Court moved to the New State House. Following this transition, the Old State House served as the first State House of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and later functioned as Boston City Hall. After a new city hall opened in 1841, the building was utilized by commercial tenants for four decades. It remains a significant site in the history of the city and the Commonwealth.
The Architecture and Site Features
Standing 65 feet tall, the building held the distinction of being the tallest structure in Boston until 1745. The site is bounded by Washington Street to the west and State Street to the north, with the intersection of State, Devonshire, and Congress streets marking the eastern boundary. A pedestrian street abuts the southern side of the structure. The terrain slopes downward toward the east, where the basement provides access to the State station of the MBTA subway.
The building is a designated National Historic Landmark and a Boston Landmark. It occupies a significant position on Boston's Freedom Trail. The physical presence of the site remains integrated into the modern urban fabric, connecting the historic street level to the transit infrastructure below.
