A magnificent cast-iron fence. It encircles Union Park in Boston’s South End. This isn’t just any park. Union Park is a jewel. It’s the best-preserved residential square in the entire South End.
Imagine. The year is 1851. Lots are being auctioned. Wealthy Bostonians are eager to build homes around this elegant ellipse. They’re inspired by Beacon Hill’s Louisburg Square. The design is stunning. Ellis S. Chesbrough created it. The cast-iron fence features a lotus motif. It’s a perfect replica of the one at Louisburg Square. By 1859 all the houses are built. Elegant bowfront and square-front bay windows line the park. The architectural styles are a blend of Italianate and Greek Revival.
Union Park is more than pretty houses. It reflects a vision. Nineteenth-century city officials wanted to develop the South End. They sought to cater to Boston’s growing middle class. Union Park stands as a testament to that ambition. It’s a perfect blend of urban planning and architectural beauty.
Consider 20 and 22 Union Park Street. S S Woodcock designed them in 1854. Ryder and Fuller developed six houses at 2-12 Union Park Street in 1855. In 1909. Peabody and Stearns remodeled 20 and 22 Union Park Street. They transformed them into the headquarters and men’s residence of the South End House. This was a settlement house one of several across the South End.
Take a moment. Breathe in the air. Picture the families who have lived here. The children who played here. The history that’s been written within these walls. Union Park is a living testament to Boston’s past and present. A place where the past meets the present creating a unique atmosphere. This is Union Park. A true gem in the heart of Boston.