The summer of 1976. Gerald Ford was trying to run from the Watergate scandal and for president. The Central Artery was still above ground.
Forty years ago this week, the Faneuil Hall Marketplace was relaunched in the form we know it today. It's referred to as "America's First Open Marketplace." Today it is still a mecca for tourists and locals, a place to grab a quick bite and take a leisurely stroll among a unique mix of stores. Faneuil Hall played a big role in jumpstarting Boston's urban development. President of Faneuil Hall Merchants Association and owner of Sprinkles Ice Cream and Fudge, Carol Troxell, and owner of the Salty Dog,Luke Prevost discuss what Faneuil Hall (@FaneuilHall) meant as a catalyst for the city, and what it's future holds. Both Faneuil experts clarified -- it's pronounced fan-uhl.
The Salty Dog was built in 1972, and it's first years were during the city's rougher redevelopment era. "The buildings were pretty derelict... Those first years were very interesting years because it was a lot of work and there was a lot of waiting for the redevelopment to go on," says Prevost. Over a period of thirty years, the three buildings that make up Faneuil Hall were transformed into how most people would recognize it today.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Faneuil Hall was a commercial hub. In the mid-20th century, Faneuil Hall faced it's worst downturn and the building deteriorated. "It was revitalized as a market later on in 1826, and then the developers, as recently as forty years ago kept that feel too it," explains Troxell. In the 1970s, the credit for it's redevelopment can go to three people: developer Jim Rouse, architect Ben Thompson, and Mayor Kevin White.
The marketplace was a major catalyst for Boston's turnaround. Prevost says, "The city was looking to be redeveloped. Then all of a sudden this started. There was construction, there was activity, there was a reason for people to stay in the city... There was a marketplace for locals run by locals." Before Faneuil Hall, inner city shopping was up against suburban malls and the busing battle. "More people were looking to live outside the city. The goal was to bring people in and keep them back in the city." explains Troxell.
Many people have the image that Faneuil Hall is a tourist destination, but the merchants association has been working hard to attract more locals. Troxell says, "We have great programming throughout the year to bring people in from the 'burbs and the city down to the market. We're really the pinpoint, now, of the market district." With the new Boston Public Market, art in the Greenway, the area around Faneuil Hall is developing and the people running it hope to see another positive forty years in it's future.
Friday, August 26, will be the start date for Faneuil Hall's fortieth anniversary celebrations. There will be a car show, a seventies dance party, and a street performer festival.
