CIVIL-5592-Midterm

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Downtown Crossing 3 languages Article Talk Read Edit View history Tools Coordinates: 42.355450°N 71.060460°W From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For the subway station below the district, see Downtown Crossing (MBTA station). Washington Street, Downtown Crossing Intersection of Washington Street, Summer Street and Winter Street, 1857 (engraving by Winslow Homer Downtown Crossing c. 1910 Washington Street seen from Summer Street intersection, with Old South Meeting House visible in background Downtown Crossing is a shopping district within downtown Boston, Massachusetts, located east of Boston Common, west of the Financial District, south of Government Center, and north of Chinatown and the old Combat Zone. It features large department stores as well as restaurants, souvenir sellers, general retail establishments, and street vendors. The Downtown Crossing MBTA station lies in the center of the district. The district gets its name from the intersection of Washington Street with Winter and Summer Streets. Historically, the district was anchored by two department stores, Jordan Marsh and Filene's which stood opposite each other at the intersection. While both stores have since been bought by other chains and no longer exist, the district continues to be a major pedestrian shopping area, with the area of Washington, Winter, and Summer streets surrounding the intersection closed to most vehicular traffic; pedestrians may walk freely in the street. History[edit] Early history[edit] In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Summer Street was an upscale neighborhood, with townhouses designed by Charles Bulfinch and others.[1] The Great Boston Fire of 1872 destroyed much of the neighborhood, especially between Summer, Washington, and Milk Streets. Ladder District[edit] Since the early 1900s, the area along Washington and Tremont Streets, roughly from School Street to Beach Street, has also been referred to as the Ladder District. The side streets between the two main thoroughfares look like the rungs of a ladder when viewed on a map, hence the name.[2][3] Department stores[edit] Between 1895 and 1917, Downtown Crossing became the hub of department store shopping in Boston. In 1841, Eben Jordan and Benjamin L. Marsh opened the first Jordan Marsh store as wholesalers, which later grew into a retail department store. Another major store, Filene's, was founded in 1881. Originally known as William Filene's Sons Co. the store expanded, opening the "Automatic Bargain Basement" in 1909. Gilchrist and Kennedy's also opened in the neighborhood,[1] though both are now defunct. These stores attracted more middle-class visitors, including those from the suburbs, and anchored other retail services, including food and restaurants.[1] Nationwide, downtown department stores faced challenges after World War II due to suburbanization and competition from big box stores. Filene's Basement would go on to become a major department store independent of Filene's. The flagship store of Filene's Basement was located underground, in the basement of the former Filene's department store. The two stores, formerly under the same ownership, were disassociated in 1988. The building housing the two stores was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. During the Winter Season Filene's would hold a Christmas tree lighting and Jordan Marsh would present a series festive Christmas window displays known as the "Enchanted Village". The window display has since relocated to Boston's Hynes Convention Center, and then to City Hall Plaza. Redevelopment[edit] Following the success of the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston decided to redevelop the Washington Street area into a pedestrian-only mall, which was unveiled in 1979. At first, foot traffic and business in the area declined, but it slowly returned as the popularity of the mall as a shopping area increased, helped along by a cart vending program.[4] The area is experiencing more growth due to **Multiple Choice Questions:** 1. What major event significantly impacted the neighborhood between Summer, Washington, and Milk Streets? A) The Great Boston Fire of 1872 B) The opening of Jordan Marsh C) The establishment of Filene's Basement D) The redevelopment of Faneuil Hall Marketplace **Correct Answer:** A) The Great Boston Fire of 1872 **Explanation:** The text mentions that the Great Boston Fire of 1872 destroyed much of the neighborhood, especially between Summer, Washington, and Milk Streets. 2. Which department store had an "Automatic Bargain Basement" opened in 1909? A) Jordan Marsh B) Filene's C) Gilchrist and Kennedy's D) Macy's **Correct Answer:** B) Filene's **Explanation:** The text states that Filene's opened the "Automatic Bargain Basement" in 1909.
3. When did the Washington Street area in Boston become a pedestrian-only mall? A) 1841 B) 1909 C) 1979 D) 1988 **Correct Answer:** C) 1979 **Explanation:** The text mentions that the Washington Street area was redeveloped into a pedestrian-only mall, which was unveiled in 1979. **Fill-in-the-Blank Questions:** 1. The area along Washington and Tremont Streets, roughly from School Street to Beach Street, has also been referred to as the _______ District. **Correct Word:** Ladder **Explanation:** The text mentions that this area has been referred to as the Ladder District because the side streets between the two main thoroughfares look like the rungs of a ladder when viewed on a map. 2. Downtown Crossing became the hub of department store shopping in Boston between _______ and 1917. **Correct Word:** 1895 **Explanation:** The text states that between 1895 and 1917, Downtown Crossing became the hub of department store shopping in Boston. 3. The flagship store of Filene's Basement was located _______. **Correct Word:** underground **Explanation:** The text mentions that the flagship store of Filene's Basement was located underground, in the basement of the former Filene's department store. **Works Cited:** 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtown_Crossing 2. https://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/downtown-crossing.html 3. https://www.cityofboston.gov/archivesandrecords/findingaids/FA004.asp 4. https://www.boston.gov/neighborhood/downtown-crossing 5. https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/massachusetts_conservation/downtowncrossing.html
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