History of Boston’s North End

The North End is home to Boston’s oldest and most iconic immigrant populations. As one of colonial Boston’s first residential areas, the North End became home to some of the town’s most elite families in the eighteenth century, including Governor Thomas Hutchinson and Paul Revere, whose statute adorns the Paul Revere Mall & whose North End home still stands to this day. The neighborhood is also notable for its key landmarks and pivotal historic moments, such as the Old North Church, famous for signaling Paul Revere’s midnight ride with its “One if by land, and two if by sea” lanterns.

Before earning its reputation as Little Italy, the North End was primarily inhabited by the Irish, who made up more than 50% of the population until 1850. Early Italians began arriving in the 1860s after the Civil War, and they have since celebrated and sustained the vibrant Italian heritage of the area.

Today, the North End is filled with a plethora of Italian restaurants, cafes, and bakeries that attract both locals and tourists alike. Despite modern developments, the North End has preserved its historical charm of narrow roadways, cobblestone streets, and charming terraces, allowing it to remain a lively slice of Italy along Boston’s harbor!