Fisher Hill

Gazing upon Fisher Hill, can you sense the echoes of its intriguing past? This elegant neighborhood, nestled above the Brookline Reservoir, whispers stories of Boston’s elite and their quest for a tranquil escape. Fisher Hill, also known as Brookline Hill, Mount Vernon, and Henshaw Hill, earned its primary name from Francis Fisher, a Boston merchant whose 1852 estate graced the corner of Boylston Street and Chestnut Hill Avenue. This hill, a glacial drumlin rising 240 feet above sea level, offers a picturesque blend of nature and architecture. Its boundaries are marked by Boylston Street to the south, Chestnut Hill Avenue to the west, MBTA train tracks to the north, and Cypress Street to the east. Fisher Hill’s earliest homes were humble farmhouses, dotting the south slope and overlooking what was once called “the Sherburne Road,” now Boylston Street. The early 1800s saw wealthy Boston merchants seeking refuge from the city’s bustle, transforming Fisher Hill into a haven for their summer estates. One such resident, Benjamin Goddard, built his home in 1810-11, facing the future site of the Brookline Reservoir. His heirs, forming the Goddard Land Company, played a key role in Fisher Hill’s development. The arrival of the Boston and Worcester railroad in 1847, combined with the 1844 construction of the Brookline Reservoir, made Fisher Hill even more appealing to commuters seeking a scenic and convenient location. Fisher Hill’s transformation into a planned community began in 1884. F.L. Olmsted and his stepson, J.C. Olmsted, were commissioned to design a subdivision on “Brookline Hill.” Working from their nearby home and office at 99 Warren Street, they crafted one of their finest subdivision designs. Remarkably, the neighborhood remains largely unchanged. This makes Fisher Hill the most intact Olmsted-designed subdivision in the country. Residents, recognizing the threat of rapid development, took proactive measures. In 1914, 165 property owners signed a covenant, pledging to preserve the character of Fisher Hill by preventing the construction of apartment houses, two-family homes, public garages, stores, and hospitals. This remarkable act of foresight predated modern zoning regulations and protected Fisher Hill’s unique charm. One of Fisher Hill’s most captivating tales revolves around 617 Boylston Street, also known as the Boylston/Hyslop/Lee house. Dating back to 1660, this house witnessed generations of prominent families. Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, born in the house in 1680, gained fame for introducing smallpox inoculation in 1721, a controversial practice at the time. Later, the house became home to William Hyslop, a successful textile merchant, and eventually to Henry Lee, who fiercely opposed the widening of Boylston Street and the introduction of a trolley line. Lee’s legacy includes the magnificent old trees that still grace the estate today. Fisher Hill also played a role in Boston’s water history. Edward Philbrick, a Boston water system engineer, designed two underground reservoirs atop Fisher Hill in 1875. These reservoirs, filled with water pumped from the Charles River, served as a crucial backup water supply for the town. Another remarkable story involves the Longyear estate. John and Mary Longyear, having amassed their fortune through mining, moved their grand Richardsonian Romanesque mansion from Marquette, Michigan, to Fisher Hill in 1903. The move, a logistical feat involving two trains and 190 cars, brought the mansion 1300 miles to its new home. The estate later became the Longyear Foundation, a museum and archive dedicated to Christian Science history. Today, while the Longyear estate has been transformed into luxury condominiums, Fisher Hill retains its allure. The stone walls, grand old trees, wrought iron fences, brick sidewalks, and turn-of-the-century architecture continue to echo the grandeur of a bygone era. Fisher Hill stands as a testament to the vision of its early residents and the enduring legacy of Olmsted’s design.