> The old landmark that formerly stood at this corner gained its notoriety as being on the site on which stood for many years the residence of Josiah Franklin, the father of the philosopher, and was known to many as the Blue Ball, on account of the old sign that hung suspended at its corner, from the time Franklin obtained possession of the estate, until the destruction of the house in 1858.
– *A Topographical and Historical Description of Boston*, By Nathaniel Bradstreet Shurtleff
To be clear, *this* building was not built in 1698; it “was on the site of” the building where Franklin’s chandlery stood.
dukeofbrontesays
It’s rather sad, Boston had a fascinating history in the 1600s and early 1700s, but almost no built structures from that era survived the busy development of the 19th century.
It’s said that th e[Paul Reverse House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Revere_House) is the last remaining building still standing in the city from the 1600s (occupied for a decade or so, much later obviously, by the Reveres). Though I’m not expert enough to know if that’s popular wisdom or proven.
Viva_Strayasays
I love old places like this. They’re not meticulous and manicured but still met their needs in a nice way. I especially like the protruding second floor window on the right, it adds some interest and, in a way, intimacy to the street scene.
sverdrupian says
> The old landmark that formerly stood at this corner gained its notoriety as being on the site on which stood for many years the residence of Josiah Franklin, the father of the philosopher, and was known to many as the Blue Ball, on account of the old sign that hung suspended at its corner, from the time Franklin obtained possession of the estate, until the destruction of the house in 1858.
– *A Topographical and Historical Description of Boston*, By Nathaniel Bradstreet Shurtleff
sverdrupian says
source: [Digital Commonwealth 08_02_000900](https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:xp68kq319).
Sierrajeff says
To be clear, *this* building was not built in 1698; it “was on the site of” the building where Franklin’s chandlery stood.
dukeofbronte says
It’s rather sad, Boston had a fascinating history in the 1600s and early 1700s, but almost no built structures from that era survived the busy development of the 19th century.
It’s said that th e[Paul Reverse House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Revere_House) is the last remaining building still standing in the city from the 1600s (occupied for a decade or so, much later obviously, by the Reveres). Though I’m not expert enough to know if that’s popular wisdom or proven.
Viva_Straya says
I love old places like this. They’re not meticulous and manicured but still met their needs in a nice way. I especially like the protruding second floor window on the right, it adds some interest and, in a way, intimacy to the street scene.